After our time in Brooklyn, we were joined by about 9 people from New York and about 10 people from Ohio. This group of people made up the team traveling to Paris, France. There we worked with four different churches, ministered in the streets through drama, music, and the message of the Gospel.
After what seemed like a lifetime, we arrived in beautiful Paris, France. There we worked with a few churches in the outskirts of the city to minister in their services and in the streets of Paris. We were able to see God touch the lives of so many, but not without being met with great opposition. France consists of a largely Atheist-declaring group of people. There is also a very large Muslim community, that did not really want to see us there spreading God's Word. There were a few instances when we had to relocate our team for street ministry for safety reasons. We did, however get to share about God's love with a few Muslim men, and saw the children of Muslim families saved and set free. I remember one time of ministry in particular. We were at a strip of shops were there were probably about 20 kids running around. We had expected to meet adults or teens, and had to improv. a drama and message geared to younger children. My friend Jessica and I worked together to share an engaging story of Jonah, in which she translated to them for me. Meanwhile, about 5 of our team members acted out the entire story on the fly. It was hilarious to see grown men acting like whales, and being "swallowed up." It not only amused us, but the children were captivated. When we explained that God has a plan for their lives just like Jonah, and Jesus is the way to fulfill that they were ecstatic. We also saw a few adults watching as well. God is so good, we were able to share our story just in time before rushing to another location as a few men became angry with the work we were doing.
Our team also had the opportunity to work with various churches in France and the youth at these churches. Because our team was large we were able to split up between these churches and minister on the same evenings. It was such an amazing experience to be a part of the worship team and learn to worship in French. Each night we had great moves of the spirit during worship and people were set free from oppression. It seemed that depression and hopelessness plagued a lot of the people in these churches, and it was so amazing to see God move upon them in love, whether through worship, prayer, or the word. I remember one church in particular that was really impacted. The first time we ministered there the people seemed very reserved, like they hadn't experienced the life of God. It wasn't long before the sin, hurt, resentment, and bondage that withheld this congregation was broken in times of worship and ministry. God really created unity between the leadership of the church there and our team, and this was one of the main keys to seeing God move.
So often today, we find between denominations, pastors and church leaders, and even within the members of our own congregations the enemy works at creating division and succeeds. Sometimes we destroy ourselves before the enemy even has to try. I believe that God wants us to be like the church in Acts following the day of Pentecost. On that day - they were all gathered together, in one place, in one accord and began to worship God. Then God came by His Holy Spirit and radically changed the people. Also thousands were added to the church that day as they heard the word of God and saw Him move in power. God has called us to walk in this and so much more. Whether we were ministering in worship, preaching through a megaphone in the streets, or sharing a drama with young children- it was when we put aside ourselves and walked in unity with God and one another that we saw lives changed.
Let's continue to move forward loving God with all of our heart, soul, and mind and loving one another as ourselves. This love will set the captives free, because love is the TRUE message of salvation.
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