Holy Week: Four Services, One Story
March 22, 2024
It was a joy to travel with a music and outreach team from Central on a ten day tour of France (July 8-18) sharing the Gospel in the streets, in churches, cafes and wherever the opportunity arose. We ministered to people in hotels, in the parks and town squares and we had a packed house for an outreach concert in Toulouse.
It was providential to be in France as the terror attack took place in Nice as many people were open to talk and to hear of God’s grace and peace. One of the songs that we sang each night was “Peace Train” by Cat Stevens followed by “Amazing Grace.” Many in the audiences were not followers of Jesus. We know of at least one man who gave his life to Christ on the streets of Toulouse! One of the church members spoke with him for more than 2 hours and led him to Christ.
In Paris, we visited and encouraged the “World Team” missionaries, many who have been serving in a very difficult area for more than 25 years. They are seeing small steps for the Gospel. Suzy Grumelot, sister of Central member Tammy Holder, is a part of the leadership of World Team in Paris and we sang in her church. (Chapelle du Nesle) which we call the “Cave Church.”
We also ministered with church planters in an college town outside of Paris in a local Café. We shared music and the word to those both inside and outside of the café. One young man heard the music a mile away at a Burger King and came to the café! The young pastor, Manu, and his team were encouraged and we made great friends with some of the local vendors who loved the music, especially Johnny Cash!
In Toulouse, we partnered with a local Evangelical Christian church and our Central missionary, Malia Bridwell as we did some outreach events and open air concerts. (A huge concert was planned in the town Capitole Square but it was cancelled due to the terrorist attack in Nice the night before in respect to those killed and as to not offend anyone with music following such an event. We did however, do some acoustic outreach and it was well received. The next evening, the band also did a concert in a local church to a packed house. There were many young people in attendance and the place was rocking with singing and dancing. Even the pastor joined in to the surprise of his congregation!
The next day we once again took to a local park to lead in music as the local church member shared with those who stopped to listen. This is where one of the members led a man to Christ!
God moved, even in difficult situations. He is glorified in all that we do to bless Him. On our way home, we stopped in Nice and was the memorial sites where the 84 people were killed last week. As we walked the streets, we prayed for the people of France and Nice.
