France is one of the founding and leading members of the European community, with a people who are proud of their country and culture; yet, it is one of the spiritually poorest countries in Western Europe. The average person (70%) says they are Catholic, but if you ask further, only about 12% practise their religion. Today, in France, occultism is widespread; there are 6 times as many mediums and witchdoctors in France as there are medical doctors. Also, France has the highest percentage of Muslims in Western Europe (8 %). Only 1% of the population are evangelical Christians.
France with its rich cultural heritage is also the most visited country in the world for tourists. Yet reality has another face: there are 4 million alcoholics in the country; 10% of the population take anti-depressive drugs, 40,000 youngsters attempt suicide every year and 20 % of the children come form single-parent families. So there are big needs in France.
OM France is looking for people to join Global Action (GA) teams in Paris and the Loire Valley. A new recruit can join in either January or September each year after going through a Global Orientation Conference in either Germany or Holland.
Read more about these opportunities on our Global Action pages ‘Loire’ and ‘Paris’.
After joining OM in either September or January through an international Global Orientation Conference, you will start your time with OM France, with an orientation programme when you will find out a lot about French culture, discover the area where you will be working, and all about team life. You will also be introduced to everyone who works with OM - we are a nice bunch!
The programme includes 4 modules and is taught by OM France personnel as well as pastors and missionaries invited from outside:
1. Biblical Knowledge: the authority and inspiration of the Bible, survey of the Old and New Testaments, detailed study of one or two books, etc.
2. Discipleship/relationship: who am I? my position in Christ, walking by faith, forgiveness, marriage and sexuality, teamwork, etc.
3. Evangelism: leading a home Bible study, how to answer difficult questions, how to reach people of different religions, creative evangelism, etc.
4. Mission: the biblical basis of world mission, world religions, France - a mission field, understanding Catholicism, how to reach the average French person today.
The GAP team will also learn some Arabic, besides French, and receive more specific teaching on how to communicate the Gospel to Muslims.
We want you to develop as a person when you are with us, so we will spend time with you personally on a regular basis, to encourage you to grow in the Lord and to discover and use the gifts the Lord has given to you to the best of your ability. We will encourage you to put your best into this programme, for the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
For those of you who have no knowledge of the French language, you will spend time studying the basics of the language with OM France tutors and using audio materials. You will be encouraged to make friends with the church members as well as other French people through community clubs, so that you can practise with them what you have learned and get them to help you. By experience we know this is the best and quickest way to learn French, and to make good and lasting friendship with the people around you at the same time.
Fun and fellowship - but hard work too! With people of different personalities and cultures living together, there is bound to be difference of opinion and occasional conflicts. This will be a good learning opportunity to get to know your strengths and weaknesses and to learn to understand and appreciate people who are different from you. In spite of the difficulties, friendships will be made that last a lifetime. If problems arise, you will be supported by members of the OM France leadership team, who have years of experience helping people "survive and thrive" in their team!
Mondays is usually the day off for the team, and each month the team is encouraged to have an outing together to discover the area that we are working in. On Sundays the team attend and help in the morning worship service and the afternoon is spent in fellowship with members of the church or with their contacts - the French really enjoy social times like this.
A typical daily programme from Tuesday to Saturday is as follows:
| 06.30 - 07.30 | Rise and shine/Breakfast |
| 07.30 - 08.30 | Personal quiet time |
| 08.45 - 09.15 | Team devotion |
| 09.20 - 10.30 | Teaching or practical training |
| 10.30 - 10.50 | Coffee break |
| 10.50 - 11.45 | Teaching or practical training |
| 12.00 - 14.00 | Lunch and free time |
| 14.00 - 15.00 | Reading/Discussion time |
| 15.00 - 16.00 | Preparation for evangelism |
| 16.00 - 20.00 | Evangelism |
| 20.00 - 22.00 | Evening meal and free |
| 22.00 - 23.00 | Bedtime |
The church has various mid-week Bible studies/prayer meetings in different members’ homes and team members attend one of these. Special outreach meetings are organised from time to time and the members of the team will be asked to take part as well. The second Thursday of each month is a day of prayer for OM worldwide, when we all as a mission meet together to pray for the Lord's work.
Of course! In fact, we encourage this, except during the first three months. During this initial period, you could find that you are a little tired adjusting to your new situation, culture and lifestyle. After this period, it is very helpful for your family, friends or mission partners to see your life and work within OM. With permission from your leader, visits should be planned to coincide with rest days, public holidays and agreed leave so that the regular team schedule and activities will not be disturbed.
You will be entitled to a Christmas break as well as the public holidays. Team members who have committed for the one-year programme are entitled to five additional working days’ leave during the year.
We would encourage you to read as many books on France as possible - books about French culture and history, the way of life and thinking of the French people, and especially about the present-day situation of the evangelical church in France.
Start writing to missionaries or GA team members in France and find out where they work and what type of work they are involved in. First hand information like this is very important.
Treat yourself to a good book on the French language or start taking an evening French course. All this will not only help you feel at home more quickly when you get there, but will also help you to be able to relate and to minister to French people.
Do not bring any more than you can carry (around 20 kilograms or 44 pounds). Winter temperatures can go down to -5° C. and in summer up to 35 ° C. so bring suitable clothes for these temperatures. The following is a suggested list of clothing you will need.
You will also need to bring a certified copy of your birth certificate and [4 passport photos so that you can obtain a temporary residence card “carte de séjour” when you arrive. If you need any special medication or health products because of allergies or any other specific health problems, don't forget to bring a good supply. Also, if you can drive, please bring your driving licence as we might ask you to drive one of our vehicles from time to time. A sleeping bag (preferably one that opens out to a duvet cover) is needed for the short-term campaigns along with a camping mat or an air mattress. If you are travelling from outside of Europe, take only the sleeping bag and we will lend you a mat for the campaigns.
We would encourage you to bring things to make you feel at home. So bring souvenirs and other momentous like photos of your family, your friends or your youth group. If you like to listen to music, bring your favourite cassettes or CDs. If you play a musical instrument, if possible, bring it along and if you have a national costume, bring that also.
Team members coming from a country outside the “European Union” will need to apply for a long-stay visa “visa long séjour” through the French Embassy before coming to France. We will provide you with the necessary documents through your home office to make the proceedings easier. The whole procedure will take at least 3 months so please allow enough time for it.
We hope this information is helpful to you, but if you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at the OM France office or write to your Home Office. We would be happy to help you and to prepare you to come and join us. We pray that God will guide you as you seek His Will about joining us to serve the Lord in the needy country of France.
Your contact in France:
Maureen Ma
Personnel
Opération Mobilisation
BP 57
77341 Pontault-Combault Cedex
France
Tel: (+33) (0)1.60.18.18.18
Fax: (+33) (0)1.60.18.18.19
Email: maureen@f.om.org