By the Chereaus, IM Missionaries in France

Last year, we met “A” and “G.” At that time, they were preparing to get married and needed someone to talk with. Although they were excited to begin their marriage, their journey has not always been easy.

They are believers who had been attending a church in another town, but they were involved in a “spiritually abusive relationship” with their pastor. He treated them harshly, and the relationship became very unhealthy. Eventually, they realized that something was wrong and decided to leave that church.

The process was long and painful for them. They needed healing from that toxic experience and space to rediscover what a healthy church community should look like for their family.

We spent time walking with them, listening to their story, and talking about what a pastor is called to be for the people he serves.

Since then, they got married and welcomed a premature baby in October. Today, they are planning to attend St. Sébastien Church, where we serve, because they have the desire to raise their children in a healthy church community.

It has been a blessing to walk alongside this family, helping restore their trust in God, in the Church, and even in the role of a pastor. It was not an easy process, but giving them the space and care they needed has been a beautiful journey of what it means to love others and live out the Gospel.

March 2026