Fiona Steward developed a burden for France during her studies there as part of a French degree. The Lord subsequently confirmed His call to the student ministry in Bordeaux through a placement while she was studying at the Wales Evangelical School of Theology (2001-2004). She then spent a year working among students for the Heath Evangelical Church. In November 2005 she was sent out to Bordeaux by her home church, ‘Great Whyte Baptist’ in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire under the auspices of UFM Worldwide and in association with the Grace Baptist Mission.
Reaching the secular French has always been a conundrum. They are so far away from the gospel; they have no desire to listen. But reaching students opens the door into French society and 2010-2011 saw some changes and breakthroughs in our approach as we considered how we could encourage students to want to listen.
Starting at their point of need
One way was to start with their felt needs. And one thing all French students need is to speak English!!! Yes, nearly all studies and jobs require English. Not that English lessons is a new ministry, but last year we changed our approach. Given that French people are put off by any hint of religious coercion, we decided against using the Bible to teach English in favour of simply teaching English to build friendships. It was a difficult decision, with a long-term approach to evangelism, but that is the way in France. So off we went to the campus with our union flags and flyers and students swarmed round like bees to a honey pot. We had a record 50 people to our first lesson and over the year built up some great relationships so that by the end some of them were asking us about what we believed! They wanted to listen!
Utilising their strengths
Another way of reaching French people is to play to their strengths. So what are they good at? In a word – talking! Discussion evenings in cafés are a common occurrence in France, so Agape Campus, a student ministry in Toulouse, has adapted this approach for the gospel and have seen several French come to faith. So we went to see how they did it. Taking life issues which everyone can relate to and has opinions about, they use film clips, newspapers, photos etc. to stimulate discussion which is guided by a series of questions. Most people are not interested in finding out about Jesus because they are happy with their own worldview. These discussions are designed to make them think about and see the inadequacy of their own worldview so that they will be interested in Jesus Christ. Themes like solitude, freedom, natural disasters, make them ask themselves questions like: ‘Who am I?’, ‘Where am I?’, ‘What’s wrong with the world?’, ‘What’s the remedy?’ And at that point there can be opportunities to tell them about the life and hope that Jesus alone can offer. I look back to how the Lord miraculously provided a café in September 2010 enabling us to launch these discussion evenings, as well as a team of students to prepare them and various non-Christians who have attended and I am frankly amazed at what He has done!
Making them think
This questioning approach works well with the French who like to express what they think. So we have been trying a new type of survey this year which follows this tack; the photo survey! We hand over a photo album of 50 photos and first ask the student to choose a photo which currently reflects their life. Taking a personal interest in them is an important first step. Next we ask them to choose a photo which reflects their experience or view of religion and lastly a photo which reflects their concept of God. We ask them why they have chosen each photo. Photos not only create an immediate pull as a source of intrigue and enjoyment for people, but they can facilitate expression and speak powerfully. For example, choosing the photo of a dark tunnel with a light as a reflection of religion can provoke many questions about what they believe and why as well as open up opportunities to ask them what they thought of Jesus statement; ‘I am the Light of the world’. It is wonderful when the gospel is shared, but we are aware too, that if they don’t want to listen, we must first listen to them and will have achieved something if we have got them thinking and hungry for more. What’s more, photo surveys are a great way for Christians to be introduced to cold contact evangelism. One of our students who famously said: ‘Evangelism just isn’t my thing’ reluctantly came along once to see what it was like, and now comes to help us on the campus every week! Please visit mysoularium.com if you would like to know more about the photo surveys.
Mobilising Disciples
Of course the work of reaching 100,000 students in Bordeaux is never going to be achieved single-handedly, which is why a big part of our vision involves helping believers grow in their knowledge of God and therefore in their passion to spread the gospel. So firstly we want them to thirst for the Word. In our main Bible study we are teaching students how to read and handle Scripture for themselves. We are also trying to encourage them on a personal level with something new; accountability triplets. Each triplet of the same sex reads the same portion of the Bible during the week and meets up for an hour to share what God has been teaching them, is accountable to one another in various areas and prays for the lost. And so secondly we want students to believe in prayer and its power to change lives. That is why this year we have emphasized the centrality of the prayer meeting and of prayer in everything we do, mindful that it is God’s work and not ours.
Praying for more labourers
In 2005 I joined Carol Liddiard who pioneered the student work in Bordeaux and passed the baton onto me when she retired in 2007. Alan Davey also helps part time, but is mainly involved in our local church (L’Eglise Réformée Evangélique de la Gironde) which supports the student work. Since 2009 the Lord has wonderfully provided short-term workers, including Katie Harris who helped part time (Sept-Dec 2010). Here’s what she said about it:
“It was such a privilege to help out in the student ministry and work alongside Christians in France. We had so many challenging and inspiring opportunities to introduce students in Bordeaux to the gospel.”
The invaluable input of helpers like Katie has emphasized the urgent need for other short-term but particularly long-term workers. If you know of any one or if you yourself speak French, have a love for God and the French people, and would like to do a full-time or part-time placement in Bordeaux, please contact ufm@ufm.org.uk . Thank you.
Going where the students are!
While it was very exciting and almost difficult to keep up with the developments and breakthroughs of the last year, the work was also taking a dramatic turn elsewhere. The student centre was having to close its doors due to the poor exchange rate, the rise in rent and my local church having to withdraw its contribution in order to buy their own church building. However, after much reflection and prayer, I was convinced that this would not hinder the development of the student ministry and would even encourage us to go out more towards the students. For six years the centre provided a wonderful base to establish the work, but we continue to see the Lord’s kind provision as the page turns; a free room in one of the town hall buildings for English lessons, a large lounge for the Bible studies and cafés galore for one-to-ones with students! So we look expectantly to see where the Lord will take us in this new chapter of the student ministry in Bordeaux and ask you to pray with us that many French students will want to listen to Jesus Christ and know Him.
July 2011
