Why France?

A couple weeks ago Tyler and I announced that we were going to be missionaries in France. Woah.

We've been getting a lot of questions lately (understandably!) One of the most asked ones is "What made you guys pick France?"

Visiting Paris on our Vision Trip- January 2015

Let me tell you.

Europe was never on our radar. Like not at all. We knew that we were called to missions in 2009 and as soon as anyone found that out, they would ask, "Where are you called?" We didn't know. We had no idea. We just knew that God had put a passion for missions that wasn't going away.

Through our time at Southeastern and various missions trips, we determined some things that were very important to us as future missionaries that proved to be instrumental in God leading us to United World Mission, Europe and ultimately France.

1. We wanted to raise up local leaders

Neither Tyler nor I have ever wanted to be the American missionaries that swoop in and save the day. I believe that native speakers will alwyas be able to connect with their own people better than I will, since their language is my second language. Local leaders are there all the time. They understand the people deeply and ministry doesn't have stop when the American missionaries leave.

2. We believe the church should make sense in the host culture

So many times I have seen churches in other countries that look JUST. LIKE. OURS. Sadly, in these churches, there is little that reflects the culture that is often beautiful and vibrant. The Church should speak to people in a way that reflects the gospel in their own culture, not through the lens of American Christianity.

3. Speak the language!

This is tied closely to the two above, but in the words of the French couple we are working with, "You can't disciple if you don't know the language." It's so very true. Yes, many French people speak English, but it's not their heart language. It's not what makes the most sense in both their minds and hearts. And to preemptively answer your question, no, we don't speak French. We've never taken any French, but we are committed to learning the language.

4. We want to disciple people

If all missions does is "get people saved" and abandons them spiritually, it is missing the mark in my book. From our understanding of Jesus's command to "make disciples" it means being in relationship with people and walking along side of them in their life journey to help them grow in maturity with God.

5. We believe missions should happen holistically

When Jesus walked on earth, he ministered to both the physical and spiritual needs of people.We want to do that as missionaries. While Europe doesn't have the deep physical needs that impoverished areas have, there are still the poor and the homeless, as well as the outcasts.

God has put these five things on our hearts and has used them to shape us into who we are today and who we want to be as missionaries.

Another thing that strongly influenced us was that we personally felt we should not ask people to support us and use their hard earned money to pay off our school loans. After much hard work, we were able to pay off the last of our debts in October  At that point, we seriously began searching (Google) for missions agencies. United World Mission fit us and our passions perfectly.  

That was the beginning of our journey to France, though we did not know it at the time.

That's just the starting point. There is so much more that led us to the people and ministries we will be partnering with in Montreuil and I like forward sharing that with you in my next post.

Partnering with you and Jesus,

Lindsey

Do you have any questions for Tyler and I? We would love to hear them! Leave them in the comments and they might be a part of a future post.