Location: France, Eurasia
Ministry Focus: We believe in Urban Ministry with all our hearts. After over 15 years in Bangkok (22 years in Thailand) we feel that the city is the most strategic place for Gospel ministry. It is from the cities that the gospel best goes out to the towns and countryside. The city is our Jerusalem. Paris is our Jerusalem. On a secular note, "Just 100 cities account for 30% of the world's economy and ALL of its innovation" - Foreign Policy Magazine 2010. That speaks of a great number of people, creative energy, and prodigals are drawn into the city.
“Neither revolution nor reformation can ultimately change a society, rather you must tell a new powerful tale, one so persuasive that it sweeps away the old myths and becomes the preferred story… one so inclusive that it gathers all the bits of our past and our present into a coherent whole, one that even shines some light into the future so that we can take the next step… If you want to change a society, then you have to tell an alternative story.”
We want to serve the leaders of Paris, connecting with them, learning from them as they build Gospel movements that help their city write a better story.
Within six months after arriving in Paris, President Hollande declared a state of emergency. A city on high alert for terror is a very different place from the Paris in the movies. We believe that God is giving us eyes to see through the dark fog of terror and into the clear Light of Gospel Hope. We are partnering with visionary leadership of two young churches in the city, as well as coming alongside a community of Parisian creatives excited about reimagining this Hope, rooted in the way of Jesus. Follow our Facebook page for stories of how God’s love is transforming the people of this great city!
Ministry History: We started our missionary life in Quebec, learning French and planting churches. We moved to Thailand in 1991, where we served for 22 years! Then off to Europe after much prayer and a life-threatening circumstance for Peter. We served in Germany for a year caring for missionary kids at an international School called Black Forest Academy. For the last two years we have been in Paris France.
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for individual partners and churches, who have God’s heart for Europe and especially France, to invest in Kingdom work here.
- Pray with us for the people of France, that they would be restored to the loving heart of the Father, moving beyond violent protests and into creative thinkers and changers as they have been often throughout history.
- Pray for our outreach parties called 'Party with a Purpose.' We do these five times a year with the goal of inviting our non-believing friends or the de-churched.
- Pray for more global workers here. We could use some gifted children's workers and a French-speaking worship leader!
Peter and Patricia DeWit | COVID-19 Update from PAOC Missions on Vimeo.
