April newsletter
Hello friends and family
Bonjour from a blustery Marseille! In my last letter I was excited about Spring finally being here, but I think I was a bit premature :) Well, instead of moaning about the weather, let me share some of the exciting things that have been happening…
Salvation stories
What better time to celebrate the miracle of salvation than on Resurrection Sunday? This is Francis (pictured right) who made the decision to follow Jesus at our Easter celebration - he actually visited our small group on the Thursday night as he lives in our residence. He shared how he was brought up Jewish and has studied Hebrew, but he is well studied in a lot of other religions. He was very open and had a lot of questions. I remember thinking that this man is so close to giving his heart to Jesus as he is so open, humble and genuinely seeking truth. Everyone in our group shared a short testimony of how we met Jesus and how our lives have been transformed by the gospel. Matt (pictured left) preached a powerful gospel message on Sunday morning and we were all in tears when Francis said he was ready to give his life to Jesus. He has now joined Geneviève’s small group (pictured in the middle) and is he so hungry to grow in the faith. Thank you, Lord!
Later that same evening, Geneviève’s daughter, Emma, attempted suicide. Praise God for His protection and intervention and we are trusting that what the enemy meant for harm, God would use to draw her to Himself. Please can I ask you to pray specifically for her in this time - I share this with her mom’s permission -that she would experience the love of Jesus so powerfully, that the Lord would bring healing from childhood trauma and that she would surrender her life to Him. We are trusting for more salvation stories!
Simple truth
After Easter, our church began a sermon series called Victorious - about our identity and authority in Christ. I started the series with a very simple message but the feedback I received especially from our young people was so powerful. It has opened up many conversations and ministry opportunities for people struggling in their identity - so grateful for the simplicity of the gospel but also for how deep and wide it reaches into what we believe about ourselves. I am excited because I will be helping launch a brand new small group at the beginning of May, specifically aimed at young people. We desperately need our young people rooted and grounded in the love of God and the truth of His Word.
You can listen to the message here if you understand French
Freedom day
I have also been working hard at preparing for our up and coming Preparing for Freedom course, which is a 5 week group also beginning in May - taking people through some preparation material for our Freedom Day which will be on the 15th June. So far, we have 13 people signed up, which is amazing! I am still trusting for a few more people to join us, so please pray that those who are meant to be there would sign up.
Outreach
We have a missions team from the USA arriving in 2 weeks to help with some intensive outreach and evangelism, both here in Marseille and also in Monaco where a team will do a scouting trip for a few days to check things out for a possible future church plant in that area. Please pray for open doors and open hearts!
Thank you!
The next few weeks are going to be quite full, but full of good things! Thank you so much for the part you play in everything I get to do here in Marseille. Your partnership is changing people’s lives and I am extremely thankful for your generosity, both financially and in prayer that make full-time ministry possible.
I do pray for you regularly, but please let me know if there is anything specific I can be praying for.
Sending much love,
Fiona
Every Nation Marseille