Rachel Horner

There are less than 1% evangelical Christians in France. Approximately 30% of people identify as Catholic, however this is often due to family tradition rather than a committed belief in God.

Where are you going?

I will be moving to Aix-en-Provence, a beautiful city in the south of France to work alongside CEP (Centre Evangélique Protestant) church. This is a small gospel-centered church family that seeks to witness to those around them.

France has a real need for Christ, his gospel, and his church. Although France has a Catholic history, it is becoming increasingly secular and many people do not know who Jesus is. CEP church hope to increase their efforts to reach families in the local area.

And each year, around 40,000 students arrive in Aix including 10,000 international students. There is also a need for both French and international students to hear the gospel in this city.

Why are you going?

Over several short term mission trips, God increasingly put a burden on my heart for French people.

I have witnessed a powerful work of the Holy Spirit at CEP church, and I have seen the fruit of this in the lives of several individuals as they walk with the Lord Through witnessing and serving in CEP church, God gave me a deepening love for the Christians who are sharing the good news in Aix-en-Provence.

I am excited that God has opened doors for me to serve him in France.

What will you be doing?

I hope to be involved in one-to-one ministry, small group discipleship, prayer groups, running English conversation groups, and encouraging the women in CEP church.

An outreach café for students

CEP support an organisation called FEU (Foyer Évangélique Universitaire) who reach out to and disciple students in Aix. The FEU has an evangelistic café where they seek to build ‘community’. At the café, students are welcomed in and they can discuss the gospel – about 15-20 students attend events held in the evening.

The FEU café also runs “French Connexion,” aimed at non-French-speaking students, and the students who come along are mainly non-Christians. Then on Thursday evenings the café run a “FEED,” an event aimed at French-speaking students and currently, it is mostly attended by Christians.

With the growth of the FEU café, I hope to help assist the work. Some of the original team have moved on to further gospel adventures and there is a need for others to join the team, especially for the ministry among female students. Pray that the Lord will grow many in their faith as they seek to live for Christ.

I am excited that God has opened doors for me to serve him in France. My daily life will be language-learning, working alongside the student team in the FEU café, and coming alongside young women as the Lord opens their eyes to the beauty of living each day for Christ. My sending church is Aigburth Community Church.

Please pray with me that …

• good relationships will be built through the FEU outreach café
• the women’s ministry would flourish in the church
• many people in Aix would come to love Christ more and more

My daily life will be language-learning, working alongside the student team in the FEU café, and coming alongside young women as the Lord opens their eyes to the beauty of living each day for Christ.