The opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympics in Paris was a stark reminder that for Christians “This world is not our home; we’re just a passin’ through.” The French Bishops’ Conference wrote that though the ceremony “offered the world wonderful moments of beauty, joy, rich emotions, and universal acclaim” it “unfortunately included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity”. A poll showed that 86% of the population in France held positive views of the ceremony which according to its organizer was designed explicitly to be “a big pagan party”.

Such is the spiritual reality in a post-Christian, post-truth society. Will you continue to pray that God might use us and our congregation as lights that shine before others so that as they see our transformed lives, they may open their hearts to the grace of the Gospel of Jesus (Matt. 5.16).

Every year our church invests in carefully chosen Christian books as gifts for each one of our young people and their visitors.  This year, Melanie helped hand out 30 at the close of the Christmas program!

The week before last we participated in a music camp in the south of France with over 100 people of all ages, from at least 33 churches in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Melanie is treasurer of the hosting ministry, Ecclémusica. She oversaw registration and led activities for the younger children. Mike led a devotional. Several people from our church attended, including four teens. We were all challenged to choose our worship music based on scriptural criterion rather than whether it is old or new. The week finished with a concert in a sister church in Toulon with several visitors present. What a blessing to work with a ministry that offers such quality resources for French-speaking local churches in the areas of worship and evangelism.

Attendances for the services have been way up. We are having difficulty with the seating. We keep saying “some problems are good problems”! Sometimes we feel like simple spectators to what God is doing but must accept the challenge that comes with the realities of growth and a new dynamic. Would you pray for God’s wisdom and direction as we seek to help the leadership with these adjustments?

We are working on a short itinerary in the USA tentatively for the end of November and into the early New Year. Let us know if you would like to see us or have us for a service and we will do our best to make it work. We would love to see as many of you as possible during this short deputation/furlough trip.

In March, Mike had the privilege of preaching for a Good Friday evangelistic service with sister churches in the Paris area. It was a great time with many present and fellowship with several pastors and believers that we hadn’t seen since Covid.

Prayer appreciated for this special service and for Mike as he prepares to preach for it. It is with sister churches in the Paris area.

As you know, shortly after Mike’s second operation, his father passed away, necessitating a trip to the States.  We thank you so much for praying for us through that time.  Many of you sent condolences and we want you to know how encouraging that was.

We were able to touch base with a number of friends, pastors, extended family,  and preach or give a report in a few churches.  It was wonderful to be able to spend July 4th with all of our children, their spouses, and our 10 grandchildren.  God is good, all the time!

We’ve been back in France since the end of July.  Several of you have asked for news since then and a few have specifically requested a video. Those on our mailing list have received it. If you would like the link, we’d be glad to send it to you!

Zoom recording of our 12/20/2020 Christmas message. Why did Jesus come? An answer is found in Luke 19.10 and is fully illustrated by His encounter with Zacchaeus. “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”” (Luc 19.10, NKJV)