Love France Christian Media Press Release 030824

Media Release
Saturday 3rd August 2024

BEGINS
Update from Paris!
Pascal’s Testimony…

Munich, September 1972 a young French man, Pascal Vermes, was on the streets of Munich alongside many other young Europeans coming to the Games for a good time. He randomly met a Christian lady three times throughout the first week. Each time she would ask him, “Did you make the step to follow Jesus?”

On another occasion he encountered a group of young people distributing tracts and inviting people to a Christian film. Fascinated, he watched the movie and one of the team running it helped him to make the step. His life was transformed. “That night I put my hand into Jesus’ Hand. I began walking with Jesus. The decision totally transformed my life.”

After University, he joined Operation Mobilization (OM) for 11 years, worked with Compassion France for 23 years and spent 5 years working with a homeless mission in Paris.

Today, 52 years later, mission teams are fanning out across the city of Paris. One of the groups that is typically part of the outreach, Youth with a Mission (YWAM,) were expecting things to be closed down, yet what they have experienced is the opposite - so much openness! They have over 500 people doing mission over the period of the Games.

After morning worship and teaching, they spread across the city outreaching to different districts. They use sport, one-on-one evangelism, music and dance as well as opportunities to give testimonies.

After the first week they have seen 180 people making commitments, over 100 Parisians have been connected with local churches. They estimate that over 2000 people have heard the Gospel.

One of the team - David, reported how met a young man from Indonesia who lives in Paris. His parents converted from Christianity to Islam when he was younger, and he was explaining about witchcraft in his family history. He was sitting on a park bench, in his mind he was tormented, “screaming for help.” It was at that moment that David sat down next to him.

‘We began to talk about Jesus,’ said David. ‘And after a while, he told me he wanted to completely give his whole life to Jesus. He had experienced so many spiritual battles but after we prayed, he told me he felt so much peace!”

Visiting the ‘Hub’ in Paris

Supporting these groups is Ensemble 2024 - a collaboration of associations, churches, clubs and individuals from across France. Its aim is to unite those who see the 2024 Games as a unique opportunity to significantly impact French society, tourists and fans. Its goal is to bring the Good News to all they can and to leave a lasting legacy for the French Church and community.

There are over 500 events planned under the Ensemble 2024 banner across the period of the Games and Para-Games. They involve thousands of organisers reaching out to and involving millions of participants. Heading it up is Matthew Glock, the Coordinator.

Speaking from the Hub, the base where a team is supporting those doing mission, Matthew says, 'Our vision was to create a space where good things can happen - where people from around the world, and from many types of Church ministry projects can meet and interact in a free way. What we have here, is a reflection of this vision becoming a reality!

'It has been a joy over the past week to welcome evangelism teams, serving athletes, intercessors, Christian media, a Bible ministry and countless others - crossing paths and being the body of Christ... it is just amazing!', said Matthew.

'When we started with this vision at Ensemble 2024, 'unity' was our core value. We wanted the world to see that we are one... and we are seeing this happen, said Matthew.’

How would you illustrate the Ensemble vision, Matthew? 'A good illustration of the Ensemble 2024 vision would be that of sowing seeds.... creating spaces in a garden to see what happens... with the hope of seeing colourful bouquets of flowers grow!'

Have there been any surprises?! 'For me one of the less predictable, but exciting outcomes has been the number of divine connections taking place both here at the hub and in hundreds of spaces across the city. God is connecting people in amazing ways, and I include myself in this! I was praying for a sensitive situation in another country, involving a believer who is in an 'at risk' predicament. Two 'chance' meetings have opened doors to provide a refuge for that person.' 

How should we pray? 'Please continue to pray for the many outreach efforts across Paris and other cities. Pray also for perseverance for everyone, especially the team leaders who are mobilising all their people, may they be refreshed and encouraged for the remaining time of the Games.” 

France 1 Million – A gift of a Million Worldwide Prayers for France

The France 1 Million initiative, spearheaded by International Prayer Connect, has a vision to make a gift from the worldwide Church of 1 million prayers for France during the main and Para-games.

At the time of writing 187,000 prayers have been gifted from 93 nations.

Gifts of individual prayer(s) or larger pledges on behalf of churches, organizations or houses of prayer can be made at www.lovefrance.world.  

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For more information, interviews with all parties, resources, please contact
Marty Woods (Press Officer in Paris)
Tel: +81 70-4228-2793

Information about the ‘organizations’:

Love France is run by International Prayer Connect and Ensemble 2024. Our aim is to create a window into all that is happening across France this Summer and to connect and inform the worldwide Church as it prays for and blesses and encourages France in this pivotal year!

The Love France campaign brings together an informal coalition of umbrella organizations, churches, ministries, community organizations, and prayer and mission ministries across France with the support and involvement of a number of worldwide partners.

International Prayer Connect is a network of 5,000+ worldwide prayer networks. It is comprised of intercessors, church groups, houses of prayer, ministries, organizations and prayer networks who share a common vision of:

Exalting Jesus, Catalyzing united prayer across nations, denominations, movements, and generations for the fulfilment of the Great Commission.

Across each year, 100 million+ believers connect with us in prayer through the 110 Cities Global Days of Prayer, a Global Family 24-7 Prayer Room, World Prayer Assembly & Summits, regional gatherings and online initiatives.

Ensemble 2024 is an umbrella organization that was set up for the duration of 2024 to support and publicize the projects, events and initiatives taking place within France. There are 76+ partner organizations from across the French Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Chinese and non-denominational churches.

Ensemble 2024 aims to support, promote collaboration and build partnerships across the Church communities.

Although Ensemble 2024 will cease after the games, their ongoing vision is to see an enduring legacy after the games - seeding transformation across communities, people, the Church and the nation!