French Ministries

Just to let you all know that we are all doing very well and getting more and more settled into our lives over here. I preached on Sunday at another church in Paris than the one we are attending. The pastor was absent, and I was thankful for the opportunity. It is a challenge preaching in French, but when it is all said and done, I really enjoy it.

Bryce began school about a month ago and seems to be making the adjustment just fine considering he is still has limitations with French. He goes four mornings a week, and we believe it will be a good thing for him and us. We have already been able to get to know some of our neighbors through it. Please pray that we will be able to have wisdom as we seek to develop relationships with them. He only has two more weeks until the summer vacation.

Rebekah has really made excellent progress with her French. Her classes will end the first week of July. She is now able to carry on conversations in French and get her way around. I am pretty proud of her. Beginning in Sept., she will be in French classes 20 hrs/wk, so she will be very busy.

As we and our ministry come to mind, please pray about our future involvement with the church that we are currently attending. The church is one of the older Bible-preaching churches in Paris (prior to WWII, there was barely anything over here . . .having been wiped out previously by so much persecution of Christians), having started in the late 40’s early 50’s by various bi-vocational missionaries from Switzerland, England and Italy. They have lost a lot of members over the past few years for a variety of reasons and have not had a pastor for the past two years.

They are strategically located in the heart of Paris very very close to the Sorbonne and naturally the university hub of the city. Naturally, this is very interesting to us as we have a desire to have a ministry among college students at some point. They have their own church property, which is all but impossible for any new church wanting to get off the ground in such a major expensive city. Although they have a decent core of people, many of them are older and in poor health. We don’t know what God has for our future with this ministry, but we are open to staying in this area a bit longer and helping them if God were to make that clear to us over the next year. In many respects it would almost be a re-implantation of a church. There is incredible opportunity, but I have to admit that I am scared! They are in STRONG need of help and leadership. I just feel so inadequate.

I was able to teach the mid-week Bible study again last week and beginning in August will be preaching one Sunday morning a month. Also, their young adults group has lost some key leaders (one who has just finished Bible school and heading to Chad as a missionary) and so it looks like we may be able to offer some leadership with this in the fall. We now have regular Sat afternoon outreach on the major boulevard, we have some building projects underway, plans to start up some monthly church activities soon . . . tons of things!

So, if you could keep this a matter of prayer, we would greatly appreciate it. We really need the Lord’s wisdom in this matter. One of Mark Dever’s books on the church has been translated into French. At some point, I would like to suggest to some of the leadership that we work through it as a group.

I am still looking to take some additional French classes as well, and that might be beginning as early as August. Please pray that God leads me to the right institution. Rebekah’s sister will be coming in September and spending the year with us as a nanny, so we are really excited about her arrival. It ought to free me up a bit more so I can get more involved in this ministry in Paris.

Tomorrow (Sat. June 26th), I will be going on a trip that will take me all over France visiting various ministries as well as some historical sites specifically related to Christianity here in France. I look forward to another learning opportunity! Please pray for Rebekah in my absence!

All for now! Additional news was shared in a news letter recently sent out!

Dear Friends and Family,

Jared and I wanted to give you an update about what has been happening in our lives here in France since early last month. We are doing well and thank the Lord for bringing us here to minister! He continues to give direction for which we are so thankful.

Thank you for praying for my schooling. Jared mentioned in the last letter that due to our arrival date, I would be unable to begin language school full time at Les Cedres (the school where I have applied) until the fall. However, the classes I am taking three days a week through an association our town offers have been a huge help to me! I really feel as if I am making progress and meeting people in the local communities along the way. I hope that I will be able to advance faster once I begin full time in September.

Thank you as well for praying that God would direct us to a ministry where we can serve during our time in the Paris area. We have found a church currently without a pastor that is in need of help and encouragement. The church is located right in the university sector of the city with great opportunities for evangelism. Jared is now in charge of a stand that is set up on Saturdays distributing Christian literature. He has been out several times passing out tracts and Bibles. Last Friday, around 60 people (almost exclusively university students) accepted the offer for a free Bible! He also had the opportunity to teach the Thursday night Bible study recently. We pray that we will be able to be a blessing to these French believers and see some fruit from our labors.

We hope that you all have a wonderful Easter celebrating the resurrection of our Savior!

Sincerely,
Rebekah Stevenson (for the family)

Dear friends & family,
 
Just a quick note to let you all know that I (Jared) will be flying out from Philadephia this Friday, January 9th for France.  I will be looking to secure housing as well as a few other things before Rebekah and the kids follow.  During that time, they will be staying with my parents.  
 
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers during this busy time of preparation.  We have packed up all of our household items and have placed them into a moving wharehouse.   
 
Thank you so much for your support!  It is hard to believe that we are actually leaving!
 
Happy New Year!
 
Jared

On Sunday, July 9th, 2006, our family officially began pre-field ministry (aka . . . deputation) by being in two churches to preach and present our ministry plans for France. By October of that year, we had been able to begin a full calendar of meetings. Thanks to Valley Forge Baptist Temple in Collegeville, PA, where we had the opportunity to intern for some time and who understands how much work is involved in the planning of these meetings, Jared was able to spend weeks at a time doing this very thing . . . brochures, prayer cards, dvd presentation, display, mailings, phone calls to pastors, etc. Other than slowing down for the birth date of Rosalyn in January and having only one meeting this past summer while pursuing further language studies at the Middlebury College Language School in VT, we have kept a pretty full calendar of meetings.

Since that time, God has taught us many valuable lessons and has given us many opportunities to not only minister to others but also to be ministered to. There have been times when we have been greatly encouraged as well as times when we have felt like quitting. We have spent time with pastors and missionaries who have suddenly gone home to be with the Lord. We have been in churches which have lost a pastor and others which have recently gained one. We have churches which have been forced to either reduce or discontinue our support due to financial restraints. We have placed over 60,000 miles onto our van and by God’s grace have not had one accident or major mechanical incident. We have seen our family grow to 4 this year. If numbers are correct, we have now presented our ministry in 123 churches.

We now have 31 churches and 9 individuals supporting us in a financial way bringing our support to 91%. 16 of our 31 supporting churches are in Pennsylvania, and all but 6 are in the northeast. Although we would really like to be able to leave by the end of this year, we believe it would be unwise doing so without necessary support. While recognizing that God expects us to live by faith, we also know that he expects us to act in wisdom. The date of our departure for France has been prayerfully based on when He provides the necessary support.

So many of you have also given to us and our ministry so generously and we never want to take that for granted. Gifts from so many of you have contributed greatly to our passage fund and language schooling as you can see from the percentage raised (93%). Thank you SO much!!

This Thursday, we have our interviews at the French Consulate in Washington to apply for our visas. Please pray that all will go smoothly. They told us that after the submission of all of our paperwork on this day, we can expect a response within 1 – 2 weeks.

Many of you have been praying about our housing situation in France upon our arrival. At this point, no apt. has become available at the school, but Jared’s sister and brother-in-law have told us that we can stay at their house initially. This will allow us time to then find something shortly thereafter.

Thank you once again for your kind support and encouragement along the way. It would be MUCH harder doing this all alone!
For the sake of His Name!

Jared, Rebekah, Bryce & Rosalyn Stevenson

Dear friends & family,

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. (Psalm 50:10-12)

Aren’t you glad that God is in control?

It has been almost two months since our last update, and we have a lot to share with you. God continues to show His favor to us of which we thank Him for on a regular basis.

Shortly after Jared’s return from furthering French studies in VT and Rebekah and the kid’s time with family in TN, we had the opportunity to take a family vacation to Rehoboth Beach in DE. We had such a nice relaxing time together and are more than happy being back together again. Bryce still makes comments to his daddy saying, “I’m happy to see you” and “I’m happy that you are home.” Apparently our separation impacted him more than had been anticipated. Rosalyn continues to bring great joy to our family and has most recently become very mobile on all fours.

God has continued to give us some wonderful opportunities to share our faith with some who clearly are searching for the truth. We live in a confusing world with many who would claim to have the truth. For those trying to sort out what is and is not true, it can be very confusing. Two contacts in particular are a result of Jared’s time in VT this summer. For sake of privacy, their names will not be mentioned. Please pray that God will give us wisdom as we seek to direct them to the truth that is only found in Jesus Christ.

God has also continued to not only fill our calendar with ministry opportunities in many churches, but He has also seen fit to increase our list of financial and prayerful supporters. Our family continues to be overwhelmed that in the midst of such troubling financial times in our country, God’s people continue to give in an amazingly generous way. As a matter of fact, almost all of our outfit and passage fund has been raised, much of which is simply from generous church offerings.

We are thrilled to report that our current support level is 87%! With every $50 being a percentage point, we need an additional $650 of committed monthly support before we reach 100% and are able to leave. Since we would really love to be able to leave before Christmas of this year (which is only 2 months away), we are trusting God to make this desire of our heart a reality. In order to be able to arrive in France in time for Rebekah to be able to begin her French classes on January 6th, 2009, we would need to have the remaining 13% committed by December 1st. Please pray that if this is God’s timing for us, we would see it come to fruition. If you feel the Lord directing you or your ministry to be involved in our ministry in a financial way, we would be very encouraged to hear from you!

Praises:
1. We can praise God that despite times of instability, He has and never will waver.
2. With challenging economic times, we have seen the dollar get stronger against the euro.
3. Excellent missions conferences and safety on the road.
4. Increased support

Prayer Requests:
1. For our friends who we would like to see find Christ
2. Finding housing in France. Currently, the apts. at the language school are filled.
3. visa process as we would like to get them submitted next month.
4. Final details packing and clearing out our house.

Dear friends and family,

First of all, we would like to thank each of you for the kind support that you have shown to us since we first began deputation two years ago. Most recently, we have been blessed by the overwhelming support and encouragement during these summer months of schooling and separation.

Rebekah and the children got home on Thursday, August 14th after spending the better part of the summer with her parents in TN. Given that our time here in the states is quickly coming to a close, this was a great time for them. Jared got home the following day very tired after being in an intense French program in Middlebury, VT for seven weeks. We all were more than ready to be back together again as a family. Fortunately, since Rebekah’s brother, Ian, was getting married in July, we were able to be together for a weekend in Greenville, SC.

I (Jared) want to express my deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support and encouragement I received while I was in school. Apart from my strong confidence in God and the truth of His Word, your prayerful support and encouragement was a great source of strength. The response to my e-mail in the middle of the session was incredible. So many of you began to pray for me and a number of you mailed me not only what I had specifically requested but also a lot of other French Christian literature. I was able to put it to use immediately. I had many opportunities to share my faith other than the ones that I initially shared with you. Please pray for the ongoing correspondence that I having with several. Since some are making plans to be in France for the next year, it looks like we are going to be able to get together. Much wisdom is needed as I seek to answer their questions and concerns with the Christian faith. More than anything, I want them to be able to understand who Jesus Christ is.

I could spend a long time sharing with you what I learned, but I will only summarize it. I took four classes: History of France, Politics & Youth in France, Grammar and an Oral Communication course. Each was very helpful in its own rite. Apart from my professors at seminary, these professors were the best I have ever had. They were extremely knowledgeable in their respective field and were very eager to see you succeed. My history and political science courses really helped me understand in a much greater way the social, political and cultural structures in France. Naturally, since all of the courses were exclusively in French, I learned a lot of French in them as well. My grammar professor was fantastic! He helped answer many questions that I have had in the back of my head for a long time. And finally, my oral communications course was a great help in structuring and organizing my thoughts in a logical, coherent and systematic way. Our final project in this class was a debate. Since our debate team chose the subject of the “Family,” and I was to defend the conservative position, it proved to be very interesting. It was at this moment that I realized that those in our society who pride themselves the most in being tolerant can quickly become highly intolerant as soon as you take a strong position on something.

We have very busy fall with meetings and preparations to move. We have a house to empty out, visas to get submitted as well as tons of little things. Our support level has surpassed the 80% mark with two new churches taking us on this summer. We are still making plans to leave for France by either December or January, so we ask that you continue to pray that this will become a reality.

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!’” (Romans 11:33)

Dear Friends & Family,

As you all know from our last update, Jared was accepted into the French language program at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont. Each summer they offer an intensive 7-week program in many different languages. After taking a placement exam, Jared was placed in the advanced level 4. Soon after his arrival at the college, he pledged that he would not speak/write in English while on campus for the seven weeks he is there. (Thankfully for me, Rebekah, he was granted permission to briefly speak in English over the phone! However, the google translator has come in handy when emailing him!)

Jared has been thoroughly impressed with the program. He is into his fourth week there now. His classes are challenging, but he has commented over and over to me that the professors are always ready to help answer his questions. Many of the professors come from France each summer with their families to be a part of the French program there. Jared’s spoken French is good, and he has enjoyed being around others who also speak the language. However, he has especially needed to work in the areas of grammar and writing, areas in which he is now definitely being stretched. Please continue to pray for him as he strives to excel in the language. The French (just as many Americans) are proud of their language, and Jared desires to be able to communicate in it well.

Bryce, Rosalyn and I are now in Tennessee with my parents. It has been a sweet time spent with my family, and I appreciate it so much since we do not get to see them very often and since we will be overseas very soon! Bryce and Rosalyn are being spoiled by their grandparents and aunts and uncle. (So have I with all the help they give me!) We travel this week to South Carolina for my brother’s wedding. Jared is in the wedding too, so I am looking forward to being able to see him for two days this weekend! Please continue to pray for the remaining four weeks that we will be apart. We are doing well, but we do not like being separated.

More than ever, we are ready to get to France! We now have almost 80% of our needed support with a rather full schedule for the end of the summer and fall. Our plans are to be in France by early December. The language school that I will be a part of in France begins their classes in early January, and I would really like to start then. Please pray that we can get there in plenty of time to settle in before I start class. We have a lot to do between now and then.

The above verse recently reminded me of how the Lord knows exactly what we need and brings it into our lives at precisely the right time. During this summer, while Jared has been in school, I have done a lot of reflecting on how God has worked in our lives through this time of pre-field ministry. It is exciting to think that we are closer to getting to France! Now, this opportunity for language school is getting Jared back into French and more prepared for our move. My time with my family has also come at the perfect time. I am very thankful that the Lord knows His children well and chooses to bring situations in our lives to prepare us for the task He has called us to do.

Thank you for continuing to pray for us and for your financial support as well. A special thank you to all of you who made it possible for Jared to attend the language program at Middlebury College. The classes, workshops and immersion in French has already been a great help to him.

May the Lord bless each of you as you continue to serve our Savior,

Rebekah Stevenson