FAQs about GBIM church planting in Paris

I thought an appropriate blog for Bastille Day would be some responses to frequently asked questions about the Paris team.

Parisians need hope !

FAQs about GBIM church planting in Paris

Where is the team headed?
The GBIM team (Dennis and Jeannie Martin and Rob and Nichole Plaster) is pursuing a network of house churches throughout Paris, led from their inception by French people. God can, of course, direct in other ways as He provides leadership for His church, but this is the approach we are currently following.

Ask Rob about his gospel reading adventures with his friends

How does the team plan to get there?
The Paris team's methodology is a non-linear application of the ACT strategy. Their primary focus is to "make disciples." An indispensable key to the pursuit of that great mission is evangelism. The team's basic evangelistic method is: pray, spend time with people and invite them to read the gospel together.

Bible table at Jussieu, one of the 14 major universities in Paris

What is the current status of the ministry in Paris right now?
Prayer: The Plasters and Martins have 95 evangelistic contacts for whom they pray regularly.

Jeannie's specialties are English and Good News clubs

Evangelistic bridges: A Gospel choir, film club, Bible stand, game night, kids clubs, teaching English, cafe-conference (at Starbucks) and other activities are means by which teammates spend time with people in order to invite them to read the gospel.

Dennis and his choir at the Paris Music Festival

Gospel reading groups: Three evangelistic mini-groups currently meet where seekers read and discuss the gospel with a member of the team.

Professions of faith: Since the beginning of the work in Sept. 2000, seven people have professed Christ as Savior.
Discipleship groups: Four mini-groups of believers meet to grow in obedience to Jesus and pray evangelistically.
Spiritual families: Two home groups have been formed, one at the Plasters' and the other at the Martins'. The total number of people participating in the Grace Paris menu of options is about 15.

A spiritual family chez Nichole (left)

Celebration: The people of Grace Paris meet monthly for celebration, equipping, or a Day Away (laidback day outside of the city for discussion, picnicking, testimony) with unbelievers and those from other home groups of like heart and vision—the Southern Baptists, the Constantinis (French couple with a home group) and Agape (Campus Crusade). The largest of these monthly gatherings was about 25 people, the average is 15 - 20.

How can I pray for the Paris team?
Please pray for:

The Plasters' financial support. They have proven themselves as excellent contact makers and were recently approved for career missionary status which caused their support level to jump. They have made good progress over the past few weeks and have a current need of $29,338 ($2,445 / mo).

A major evangelistic breakthrough in Paris, for the new believers to have fruitful testimonies with their friends, that those in the gospel reading groups would entrust their lives to Christ, that those involved in relational bridges would agree to read the gospel.

French leaders to emerge within and for the spiritual families/home groups.

For details and specific people for whom you can pray please contact the Martins and Plasters directly at: dennismartin@gbim.org or plastersofparis@gbim.org
Happy Bastille Day !