Shepherding Trips Report

We thank the Lord for His work in France and throughout French-speaking Europe. We are continuing in prayer and fellowship as we follow what the Lord is doing here. He is releasing those whom He has called to migrate to French-speaking Europe. The Lord is leading some of the full-timers that have been in Paris to begin to live in the various key cities. We believe that this is the Lord strengthening these cities for the raising up of His lampstands. In addition, a new school semester is starting, and some of the various cities have begun considering the universities and the early labor on them in September with a view that students would be gained and added to the churches.

 

Joining in what the Lord was doing was joy unspeakable when I participated in Torch Relay trips last year!  Then, when I heard about the need and opportunity for shepherding trips, I immediately felt in my heart that I wanted to go. However, I was hesitant to sign up alone as a young, single sister. But one of my companions had gone alone before me and encouraged me to go!

 

I’m so glad I listened to her! There has been so much prayer from the saints all over the world for the Lord’s move in France. Being there felt like jumping into the divine and heavenly Niagara Falls. Spending these past two months with the saints in France and joining in the Lord’s move has truly been a privilege. Everyone asked me what my favorite thing about France was. Without a doubt, the best part was being in the homes of the saints, enjoying each other's portion of Christ! Come and visit—you will see the shining testimony of the Lord in Paris!

 

Each morning we had a coordination time together that became a real source of supply. I appreciated being with saints who not only imparted life but also imparted a vision of what the Lord is doing. Even with so much happening outwardly, we weren't there to "work" for the Lord. Instead, we were there to cooperate with the inner operating Triune God, taking the way of prayer, the Spirit, and the Word. What’s happening in France is a continuation of the book of Acts—the Spirit moving in man for the establishment of local churches as His testimony on the earth.

 

While in the Paris area, I spent most of my time in Villejuif. The saints there are mostly young working ones along with a few students. I was so impressed that despite their busy schedules, the saints were so faithful and available to care for the church life and the new ones. Every other Lord’s Day after the meeting we would go gospel preaching together in central Paris. Even though we usually went for only a short time, it was so enjoyable to cooperate with this gospel-loving life! Every time, we met someone the Lord had prepared—someone happy to receive a Bible and seeking more fellowship.

 

I also had the opportunity to visit the saints in Toulouse. Every Tuesday and Friday we gathered in homes to eat, sing, and share our enjoyment of the Lord. For a time we were specifically praying for more young brothers, and the Lord faithfully answered our prayer. Within a week two young brothers who had been seeking the church were invited by the saints to join our dinner-fellowship times together. One of them was baptized and even began opening his home. I also met our neighbor, who asked what we were doing every Friday night. When I told him that we gather to eat, sing, and read the Bible, he was interested and came the following week, bringing his roommate with him!

 

The times with the sisters in Toulouse were especially sweet. They came over often and spent hours at our apartment. During one appointment we were reading John 14 together, and a sister was so touched that the place the Lord prepared for us was not a physical city but was in the Father! She was overjoyed and almost was brought to tears to realize that our position is now in God.

 

He has prepared so many who are seeking Him; He needs some to cooperate with His operation. One day, during a long train ride, our train was delayed. Through that delay the Lord sovereignly arranged a meeting with a young woman, not yet 20, who told me she was seeking the meaning of life. She grew up in a non-religious Muslim family and hadn’t heard much about the Lord. She was so happy to pray and receive the Lord, and afterward she said that since receiving Him, she felt a happiness and hope about her life and future that she had never known before.

 

Near the end of the trip I was really touched by Psalm 110:3: "Your people will offer themselves willingly in the day of Your warfare, in the splendor of their consecration. Your young men will be to You like the dew from the womb of the dawn." Being in France gave me the real realization that these are the days of the Lord’s warfare, and it is so precious that we can be those who offer ourselves willingly to Him!

 

My wife and I came to Toulouse this past March for 9 days. We returned to Toulouse in May and are currently participating in the gospel outreach — distributing gospel tracks and Recovery Version Bibles, having personal appointments, home visits, group gatherings, and Lord’s Day meetings. Many sons of peace and genuine seekers have been prepared by the Lord among our local new ones. We have witnessed the Lord’s clear leading and His rich blessing in the church life here in Toulouse! We endeavor to follow God’s ordained way by practicing begetting, nourishing, perfecting, and building.

 

There is a weekly gospel outreach to distribute gospel tracts and Recovery Bibles to gain open vessels. We have times with open seekers reading the Basic Elements of the Christian Life, and some of these seekers have entered into practicing morning revival.

 

There are two open homes for weekly group gatherings and a third place where we meet on the Lord’s Day. Around 15 to 20 people regularly attend the Lord’s Day meeting.

 

What’s most encouraging is the organic increase. Quite a few of the ones whom the Lord gained last year have invited their friends and neighbors to join our meetings. Many of these new ones linger after the meetings (past midnight at times!), which indicates their openness to us and to one another. Two weeks ago we completed the book of Acts and currently are entering the book of Romans. We cover both the Bible verses and the Life-study in each meeting. There are three main languages (French, English, and Spanish). To cover the material, we group the saints according to their language ability and then have a time of corporate sharing.

 

It is the genuine experience of these new ones that makes our shepherding trip so rewarding and full of meaning! May the Lord continue to raise up His genuine seekers and establish His testimony in Toulouse soon! Praise and glory to Him!

I was in Toulouse in December 2024, then again in February this year. Through the fellowship of the full-timers, two of us were sent to Toulouse in the month of July. Even with the summer holidays, many of the saints were still in town. We attended the video training on “Experiencing, Enjoying, and Expressing Christ” with the saints in Toulouse along with the church in Lyon. During our time we could see that the ones we previously had considered as “new ones” had really grown up in the Lord! One of the sisters gained last year came to our apartment every day and was overflowing from the training messages we had just heard. We also shared highlights from the messages with our “new ones” that were gained last year.  Afterward, I deeply realized that these brothers and sisters were not new ones anymore. They had really grown up through the one year of faithful shepherding by the saints, with the healthy Word and daily and weekly practical cherishing and nourishing. I give thanks to the Lord for His advance in them and rejoice to have fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Toulouse.

 

Our time in Toulouse can be summed up in one line: Day-by-day, house-to-house church life. Each day different students asked to come by for a meal or to just spend time together.

 

My fellow full-timer companion and I spent time with a local family.  After spending time with them, I felt as if I had always lived in Toulouse! During our evening walk with the local family, we felt it was such a privilege to have time together and to get to know each other.  

I had some afternoons with a law student, and afterward we went to the evening home meetings together.

 

A visiting family from the US was with us. The atmosphere was like a sweet family life. Their last evening with us was quite bittersweet; we all sang “I stand firm if you stand firm in the Lord.” There were many tears and hugs when it was time to say goodbye. I can testify that the coming of this family for 2 months was a great supply for the saints in Toulouse.

 

Toward the end of our stay, we spent time with a student while she was finding a new lodging place. It was an opportunity to bring practical needs to the Lord. Many prayers were rendered for the coming academic year, and consecrations were made.

 

We had many regular times with the young sisters in Toulouse, and they are now inscribed on my heart, leaving the sense that I belong here also, and allowing the Lord to raise up many specific prayers for this group of young adults for His move in Toulouse. O Lord, a lampstand to be raised up this year!

 

I joined the full-time team in October 2024. What a blessing! Each day we began with a coordination time of prayer, rejoicing, sharing, and giving testimonies. During this time we sought the Lord’s wisdom, and we felt that His blessing was on France and the French-speaking world.

 

In 2024 I was able to participate in a number of gospel trips in Luxembourg and have been in Luxembourg for extended times in 2025. This time I have been here most of July. Together with the saints living here, we are laboring and caring for new ones in Esch, a town which is near a university. I appreciate the time the Lord has allowed me to spend here with the saints. These are such precious moments! With each passing day I have this deep impression that the Lord is with us.

 

One experience in particular stands out: One of the men who had previously received a Bible was happy to see us again and brought us coffee at our table to show his gratitude for giving away Bibles for free. He also invited us into his home. His wife and I even made sandwiches together!

 

Every day the Lord advances and progressively works. We now have several new ones and families to shepherd, along with some young people. We pray that the Lord will be our wisdom in initiating a time with these young people.

 

Every Wednesday the saints come to the home of one of our sisters to pray. Some come in person, and others participate via Zoom. Seven of us are now keeping this time of prayer every week. I am very encouraged to have this time of prayer.

 

Please pray that our time of prayer will continue and for the Lord's advance in this city and throughout the country.  May the Lord bring about great change in Luxembourg and win this place for Himself.

Sharing from Some Who Migrated to Luxembourg:
We had the opportunity to go to Luxembourg for a shepherding trip in March. We went with no expectations but intended to follow up with some Portuguese-speaking new ones. We were somewhat limited because my wife was working remotely during our time. However, as we served together with other saints, the Lord filled our days with very positive new ones, allowing us to serve within our measure.

 

We soon had the sense that we were in the Lord’s move as day by day we were enjoying the Lord’s blessing while coordinating with other saints, distributing Bibles, and meeting gospel friends. After a month of many miraculous normalities, we were both very happy and began to consider returning. Our prayer was “Lord, why not?”

 

After more prayer, consideration, and fellowship, we had an increasing desire to return. We feel that the Lord is giving us a unique opportunity to join something so valuable. As we planned our move, we both sensed a strong inward peace. We feel it is a great privilege, mercy, and joy to be with the Lord, in the Body, and in His move at the end of this age.

Giving

Saints who are burdened to give for the Bible distribution and other expenses can give through LME by following instructions at lordsmove.org/offerings.html. Designate offerings for “Paris Olympics.”

Archived Reports

Read all the past gospel reports here.