Message from Tim - 3 of 3
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It has been our privilege to minister in Cahors, seeking to firmly establish the church there. It has been our privilege also to train Albert Marino to pastor the congregation in Cahors. We thank the Lord for those opportunities. I am committed to continue Albert's training and understand this as a vital aspect of my calling. Our work is not completed yet in Cahors.
Yet notwithstanding the continued ministry in Cahors, the Lord has opened another door of opportunity. Churches based on God's Word are desperately needed in France. It has long been our desire to be used of the Lord to plant churches. Toward the end of 2001 we moved to Albi with that goal in mind. The choice of Albi was not arbitrary. Legitimate sites for church plants are too numerous to cite. After several scouting trips to various cities, we decided on Albi. Our choice was informed by several factors. Given our experience in Cahors (population of 25,000), we were looking for an area at least twice that size. Albi has over 50,000, outlying towns bringing the total population up to around 75,000. In fact, with a freeway (expressway) now in place, many people actually work in Toulouse (over 300,000) and reside in Albi. We were also looking for a city with a university. Career training represents but one stage of life. However, it has been our observation that higher education institutions are important not only for potential outreach but also for the stability they provide to the local area--and consequently to a church. Several of the young people in Cahors moved because there were no opportunities for further training. Finally, in addition to the need for a church, our choice of Albi was informed by our commitment to continue assisting the work in Cahors. The scope of our search was limited to cities that met the aforementioned criteria, and that were in reasonable proximity to Cahors (an hour and a half by car).
There has been much to do in Albi. While seeking to renovate living and meeting space, we have been working to establish an intangible yet essential element in our ability to witness effectively: credibility. As you have probably deduced from following recent international affairs, being American does not insure one a hearing. The postmodern mind presupposes the validity of irrational, unsubstantiated theories and philosophies. Historically there are many reasons why French culture has embraced existentialism. Ultimately, however, it comes down to the sin of Adam: auto-deification. French society is relativistic because it will not have God dictating anything. Man wants to make the rules. He cannot admit the existence of God. Man will clutch desperately to an illusory autonomy; and to do so, he will convince himself of the most preposterous nonsense imaginable (e.g. the theory of evolution). As stated earlier, the resurrection of Christ is generally dismissed a priori as a fairy tale. This being the case, ministry in France requires, first and foremost, divine intervention. Prayer is a grace that God gives His people for the accomplishment of His plan. We must be continually in prayer that the Lord would touch the hearts of the people we contact. We need our churches to pray for the ministry. Pray that the Lord would truly open people's ears and their hearts. Ministry in France also requires staying-power. Though we have witnessed on numerous occasions, it is just recently that we have had meaningful discussions and promising interactions with Valerie's friends from secondary school. Those relationships were established over twenty years ago. Anyone looking for short-term return, should abstain from investing in the French field.
Our first year in Albi, we spent in preparation. We prepared our house so that a church could meet here (not a small task by any measure). We have also sought to establish roots, building contacts and relationships in the neighborhood. During this time we continued to serve alongside Albert in Cahors. That meant driving back and forth an hour and a half each way (for me, more than once a week).
Late fall of 2002 we started to meet in Albi. There remains much to be done in terms of preparation and outreach. Still, we started with the commitment of one family. This family was initially contacted in Cahors. They had made a profession of faith years ago. Knowing that the ecclesia was designed for the life of the believer, we hoped that their stated desire to start services truly came from the heart. This has not proven to be the case; and it troubles me deeply. It troubles me not because I need to fill seats, but because of Scriptural testimony concerning those who had a one-time, or professed belief only. (See John 2.23-25; James. Tellingly, when John speaks of belief that is legitimate, he uses the present, active, participle: believing. Thus: But as many as did receive him to them he gave authority to become sons of God—to those believing in his name. John 1:12, Young's Literal Translation. In John 2:23, it is belief in the aorist tense: punctual or one-time belief, not belief that perseveres.) Our burden, as we just get started in Albi, is that this family might not neglect the means (the Apostles doctrine, Prayer, Communion with the Saints, the Lord's Supper: in sum, the ecclesia) the Lord has designed to bring his children, persevering in belief, into the New Jerusalem. Pray with us for this family. I talked with the head of the household the other day. He says he understands their need: "They are just so busy!"
Lest you think me depressed at leaving you on such a note, let me put your mind at ease. First of all, these are the battles the Lord calls us to wage for souls of the elect (Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10). Secondly, by God’s grace, we are not through yet. I have never been more excited about ministry in France and the direction we are going. That the Lord has been so patient inspires me to greater effort. Daily, the Lord affords us opportunities to reach out. We continue to share with people in our area. Some have committed to come to our services. But whether or not those particular people come, God knows what He’s doing. We came prepared for the long run. We need our churches to pray that God would bless as we reach out.
Tim Ross
December 2003
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