From Matt Price, IM Missionary to France

After 23 years in ministry in France, you learn to expect the unexpected. However, even Pascal’s request left Dennis Teague and me speechless. He told us after a Sunday morning service, “I am an atheist, but I would like to be baptized.” Where do you even start there?  From the beginning…

Pascal and his wife, Janique, began attending the little wooden church in St. Nazaire every Sunday. He had never read the Bible. He had never grown up around church. He had never truly felt loved before. He understood nothing about the message of Jesus Christ, but he enjoyed the community and joy he felt while he was with us. For one of the first times in his life, he felt accepted and a part of a group.

After the first night of a marriage seminar that was held in St. Nazaire with guest speakers, Jerry and Barbara Gibbs, Pascal followed me into the church’s kitchen and told me that he did not understand one thing that Jerry had said that night. Nothing made sense! He had never understood the true definition of “love.” Over the next few days and months, we continued to show how much God loves our Pascal.

Pascal pulled Dennis and me back into the office one Sunday. He told us that he still wanted to be baptized, but this time as a believer in Jesus Christ.  There were many tears of joy shared that day.

After his baptism, he wanted to renew his vows with Janique. He wanted to put God at the center of his relationship with his wife of 12 years. In a very simple ceremony, Pascal testified to his church family how much God had done in his life. He even serenaded Janique.

Today, he coordinates our monthly men’s prayer breakfast. Pascal has even given his very first devotion. He also leads the church’s maintenance team.  He recently told me that he posted a list of things by his front door that “Uncle Neil” Gilliland gave him to strengthen his marriage. We stand amazed to see how God continues to work in the life of our Pascal.  That is the impact of the Gospel message!