Alex Weston
Sharing Christ in Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux is the sixth most populated city in France* – that’s just over a million people who need life-giving relationship with Christ.
Known as the wine capital of France, Bordeaux is a vibrant and beautiful city, promising a life of tranquillity and ease to all who live there. Bordeaux is home to people from all over the world, including many students, and so there is a great need for gospel witness in this city. People are flocking to Bordeaux in search of the good life. What a great opportunity to hold out the hope of the gospel of Christ.
“On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine … he will swallow up death forever.” (Isa 25:6-8)
I will be working alongside Maxime and Demelza Soumagnas as they seek to pioneer a church plant in La Bastide, a district located on the right bank of the Garonne River. There are relatively few French-speaking evangelical churches in Bordeaux and so the need for proclaiming Christ is great. I have known Maxime and Demelza for a long time and have been praying for their ministry in France. I am excited to serve and befriend the people of La Bastide, and to be a prayerful and pastoral support to this fledgling church.
Initially I will be focused on language and culture learning to better minister in a French context. I also hope to be involved in prayer, supporting the church plant, and growing connections in church and in the wider community. In time, I hope to be involved in pastoral care and children’s ministry.
After working in student ministry in the UK for several years, the Lord increasingly put cross-cultural service on my heart. In 2020 I took the opportunity to do further theological education, and during this time I began prayerfully to consider where I might go. After praying for a suitable ministry context, and following a visit to France, I had the sense that serving in Bordeaux would be a good next step.
I am excited to serve alongside the Soumagnas and be a support to them as they seek to plant a church. I hope to bring glory to Christ by sharing him with the people of Bordeaux.