Thank you very much for your prayers over the past several months. My sabbatical was everything I hoped for and more. I feel a renewed passion and have gained greater clarity for how Faith, Hope, and Love Global Ministries can best serve pastors, theological students, and other Christian leaders globally. Deeply grateful for the time away, I am thrilled to be back teaching, coaching, and writing again.   

Luciano Couto, originally from Brazil, now serves as the head of the Studium in Chartres and is completing his Bachelor's degree in theology. This August, he will be consecrated fully into the Chemin Neuf Community.

On April 1, I resumed full time ministry in Chartres, France-Faith, Hope, and Love's European home base-until returning to Minnesota on May 10. When I wasn't writing essays or helping to lead the annual Retraite Cathédrale, I was meeting with various individuals and couples.  We would talk about theology, practical Christian living, hopes and dreams for their ministries, and the various ways they are experiencing the Holy Spirit from day to day. 

Whenever I am in Chartres, I feel particularly privileged to be able to rub shoulders with so many vibrant, future church leaders associated with the Chemin Neuf Community, an ecumenical Christian group growing rapidly throughout Europe. Luciano (pictured at left), over a dozen students studying philosophy in Paris, and others teaching and serving in France live together in community there.

Coffee with a close Pakistani friend, living in Chartres with his family

Outreach is another important, albeit informal, part of my ministry in France. From developing relationships with local business owners, to drinking coffee with Pakistani Muslims who have become friends over the past 10 years, to reaching out to people I meet on the street, God fills my days with many opportunities to share Christ's light and love with those who are not Christians or who have distanced themselves from the church.

Jacques, from the U.K., who was visiting the Chemin Neuf Community for two weeks over Easter, was delighted to discover someone else who spoke English. What he didn't realize when he eagerly reached out to us was that our meeting together was a divine appointment, during which the Holy Spirit renewed his faith and gave him much needed perspective for his spiritual journey. (See "Testimonial" below for Jacques' story in his words.)

Being in France has also give me an opportunity to resume coaching and consulting with Judith Doré, the President of the L'Église Unie de Chartres (the United Protestant Church of Chartres). 

L'Église Unie de Chartres (The United Protestant Church) is comprised of the recently joined Reformed Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of France

 In 2011, after our initial work together, the congregation chose to put Christ at the center of their church mission by creating a new vision statement, "Growing in Christ." Now, four years later, the church is far more vibrant and is bursting at the seams. There were so many people crowding into their little church building on Easter day, there was standing room only.    

Gathering after worship, United Church of Chartres

  The eight day Retraite Cathédrale de Chartres (Chartres Cathedral Retreat), conducted in collaboration with the Chemin Neuf Community, was once again a life-changing blessing for 25 participants. I played select roles during the week as requested by the leadership team.

Catholic and Protestant leaders praying together before one of the worship services during the Chartres' Cathedral Retreat

Looking ahead to the next 18 months, I'm busily laying the groundwork for hands-on ministry in Myanmar, France, Cambodia, Laos, Rwanda, and the Congo. Through published, posted, and translated written resources, Faith, Hope, and Love will continue to serve additional countries as well, such as Pakistan and various other countries in Africa.