Prayer Letter

A Return to Massy Baptist Church

We shared with you in our last letter about the sad closure of the Les Cèdres Language School and about the financial crisis that the French Baptists are currently navigating, linked to the said school closure and to the building project on the Massy site. But what of the local church?

The congregation in Massy will need to live in a state of uncertainty for a couple of years, concerning its new buildings and, more generally, it's financial outlook. In such circumstances, it would not be an easy decision for a new pastor to go there, to follow on from the current pastor who retires this summer. However, neither is it the time to leave the church without anyone!

The French Baptist leadership (through the voice of their Ministry Commission) have asked us to return to Massy Baptist Church for an interim ministry and the church members voted in favour of this proposition at their March AGM.

We say “return” because Massy was the first church-plant that we led. We completed our ministry there exactly 25 years ago, in fact. During that period, in the 1990s, the church-plant became a “fully fledged” independent church, building up its finances, buying a manse, and growing to a congregation of around 200 (including children).

Today, Massy Baptist Church is bigger still and has a vibrant, young, and very multicultural congregation. Our move there this summer is a surprise, both for them and for us!

Future of the congregation in Gif-sur-Yvette

With our young colleague Lula reaching full ministerial accreditation last June, she and we felt that change was probably coming and so we began to talk about that with the church leaders and, indeed, with the whole congregation. The news of our move to Massy this summer, then, came as less of a shock.

Lula will become the sole pastor and (as a young mum) will continue her half-time commitment. The church members are showing encouraging signs of their desire to take on more responsibility, alongside Lula, in church life.

Our departure marks a big change, of course, but our hope is that it will lead to the congregation in Gif-sur-Yvette “redesigning” their church life and learning to be more independent.

CNEF: National Council of French Evangelicals

Philip recently spent a couple of days (as he does each year) with fellow leaders of 34 unions of French Evangelical churches. Between them, they represent around 2,700 congregations across France.

This structure (the CNEF) was created 16 years ago and, with the exception of one short interim presidency, has consistently been led by a Baptist pastor. The CNEF's missions are to connect, inspire, inform, and represent French Evangelicals.

There is real unity, friendship, and cooperation across the spectrum of the different spiritualities, structures, and histories.

Family News

Philip celebrated his birthday at the end of March and, with the various work diaries permitting, we were able to arrange a family dinner on the day before (a Sunday). He spent his actual birthday in somewhat less festive circumstances, chairing the French Baptists' Executive Bureau! 😉

Around the same time, we also enjoyed a visit from Sam Chaise, who is the head of the BMS programme that we work within: “Help for the Journey”. It was good, among other things, to let Sam see Massy, where we will again be based.

Prayer Points

- Pray for Massy Baptist Church and for us, as we prepare to return there this summer.

- Ask for God's blessing on Lula and the congregation in Gif-sur-Yvette, as they “redesign” their church life and learn to be more independent.

- Give thanks for the unity, friendship, and cooperation across the spectrum of French Evangelicals.

With our warm good wishes and our thanks for your ongoing support,

Philip & Rosemary.