Today, our team spent the day in Paris. In the morning, we were privileged to attend services at the Eglise Biblique Baptiste de Paris. Pastor Emmanuel Bozzi and his church warmly welcomed us for the/ morning service and a church potluck afterwards.
Our team sang two songs in French: “Notre Dieu” (Behold Our God) and “A Cette Table” (At This Table – an original song by Didier Silberstein). We also were privileged to join the church in observing the Lord’s supper.
You can view the livestream of this morning’s service on YouTube here: CULTE DU 2 JUIN 2024 (youtube.com) [It would be helpful to note that “culte” is the proper French word for church service!]
Carryn Oleksy, a senior Music major at Pensacola Christian College, was very involved with the music ministry today. She played a beautiful violin accompaniment with our songs. Her musical talents and her servant’s heart have been a blessing. She wrote the following about her experiences from the service:
“Being on a missions trip in a country that speaks a different language obviously has challenges and barriers, although these are not always hard and, most of the time, can be solved. Walking into church this morning, I did wonder how different it would be from my own church back home, but I didn’t think much of it.
Although this church conducts services in French, we did have a translator for the message, and there were several people who spoke English too. There were a few times that I couldn’t understand what was being said, but most of what was being said was translated.
We, as a team, have been practicing music to sing in churches, and this morning we had the opportunity to sing a couple of those songs in French. Over the last few days, I’ve come to notice in our random worship sessions how much of a unifying factor music has in people’s lives. Being able to use something as powerful as music in a way that honors God is so fulfilling. Although we might not always have that right pronunciation of the French words, it’s a joyful noise that everybody can use. No matter the language.
Going to a French speaking church was a little different, but God was still the focus. And He is the reason we as Christian believers can still be united even with language barriers.”
After the service and the potluck, the team was able to tour some of the notable sights of Paris. Two of the church members came with the group to guide the way and share their knowledge of their city. Seth Nipper wrote about his experiences touring Paris and took a couple of the featured photos.
“As we left the church ready for our tour of Paris, we eagerly boarded the subway to the iconic Eiffel Tower. The marvel of the tower left us in awe as we explored its surroundings. After visiting the Eiffel Tower, we headed down the road, where we saw many fancy stores like Louis Vuitton. We did some shopping where team members were able to enjoy some different cafes and also a French McDonald’s. Our journey then continued to the majestic Arc de Triomphe, where we marveled at its grandeur. We then retraced our steps via the subway, bidding adieu to the enchanting city of Paris from the windows, as we made our way back to the church.”
Tomorrow, our team will head back into Paris. With Pastor Didier Silberstein, the team will tour the Jewish quarter of Paris and hear more about his testimony of how the Lord saved him as a lost Jewish man living in Paris. In the afternoon, Pastor Emmanuel Bozzi will lead the team on a tour highlighting places in Paris that are significant to the Protestant Reformation and the history of the Bible.
We have been so blessed with safety and protection. Please continue to pray for God’s hand to be upon our team! We are counting down the days until we reach Italy. Please join us in praying for God to go before and prepare hearts and for His blessing on the final concert preparations.