We're hoping to plant an
English-language, international congregation that experiences life
together in Jesus Christ while focusing on four core
values:
Experienced-Based
Worship
Our worship together is charged with the dynamic presence
of the Holy Spirit, who leads worshippers into a firsthand
encounter with Jesus Christ.
(John 4:23-24)
Reconciliation Our community is
focused on the reconciliation that is possible in Jesus Christ,
not only between God and man, but between nations,
races, ethnic groups, communities, classes, neighbors, and
families. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)
Relationship Our community develops
meaningful relationships with God and each other through small
groups in order to strengthen every area of the believer’s
life. (1 John
1:1-4)
Reproduction Our community is committed
to equipping leaders and launching churches among every language
and ethnic group represented in the Netherlands. (Acts
1:8).
Visit their website
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| Dear Lita, |
Greetings from the most beautiful place I have seen in
spring--Paris! In the last two and a half months, we have opened the
church, settled a number of team members, and welcomed numerous teams
from the US. Check out what's happening below and join us in prayer, as
The Bridge, an international church and ministry center in Paris begins to take on a
life of its own!
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Church Opens March 14
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The first public service of The Bridge
took place on March 14 and had 74 people in attendance, including a team
from Evangel University and a number of visitors from other countries.
Since then, we have seen people coming from about 20 different
nationalities, and we have seen steady growth from our core group of
roughly 40 to a regular attendance of about 60. Last Sunday, we had a
dozen first-time visitors and numbered some 72 people from more than a
dozen nations. That is some of the amazing potential of The Bridge, and
it is just 2 months old! We are confident robust growth is ahead!
God
is touching the nations through our start up work here on the west side
of metropolitan Paris!We rejoice at what we see and want to thank you
for your continued prayer for us and the amazing generosity we see as
your offerings continue to reach us each month.
Above you can see
some of the congregation enjoying a picnic
on a an island in the middle of the Seine River on May 9.
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Team Near "Complete"
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 As
you may know, our team has grown here in France, as team members have
arrived over the past year from Europe and all over the US. Since our
opening, Katie Bailey, Kelly Delp, and Jason and Celeste Brown have
moved into town. We will also be welcoming Jeff and Kathy Slaughter to
France when Jeff returns to be our worship pastor on June 13. Beyond
that, two interns, Maggie Hill of Evangel University and Kena Lei
Prickett of Southeastern University
have joined the team for the summer.
The advantages of a group
this size are many, but the way they have worked together so well and
the spirit of love and unity in the group has been an amazing strength.
Thanks for continuing to pray for these people as they settle more into
their life here in France. This kind of move is never without its
challenges, but the sense of God's presence in our midst and his purpose
behind our efforts has helped the entire group out--a testament to your
prayers, we are certain.
Our team is never quite "complete"
however, as we continue to receive requests from people who seek to join
us both for shorter terms of a couple of months to a longer stay.
Heather Simon of Wisconsin is still raising funds to join us as soon as
she can, and you can check my website
out to see the story involving John and Sandy Kuert, new US-based team
members who will help us with fundraising and developing short-term team
partnerships for The Bridge. John and Sandy have been the pastors for
40 years! We are grateful for their passion to be involved with a work
touching greater Paris!
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Building Information
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I know that many of you are praying
with us on a building for us to use and base our offices out of.
Presently, we are counting on the basement/garage of team members for
holding meetings and our office equipment. It appears we are very near
on a building with about 412 square meters or 4434 square feet with room
for meeting with about 100-150 people, office space and children's
ministry. This is a pressing need that will help The Bridge to develop
even more in the months and years to come. Please continue to pray
with us about this need and the attendant negotiations!
If you
have an interest in coming this
summer to work with us in renovating this building, please be in touch
with us through email!
I know a number of you have said that you have specialized skills or
would love to just pitch in how you could. That kind of help will
likely be needed in the next several weeks and months. We look forward
to hearing from you!
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We thank you for being the supportive
community that you are to us and for the enthusiasm that you encourage
us with regularly. We have been serving in Europe for more than a
decade now and thank God everyday for your friendship, prayer, and great
financial support.
Yours for Europe,
Robby, Tracy, Jack, Xander and
Noah Bradford
Church Planters in Paris
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