In the past issues we've shared about how the church in Veneux-les Sablons, headed up by Stephen and Rosemary Cox, had outgrown its building. And how this had led to a church plant down the road in Donnemarie. Well, the story continues…

“The church plant in Donnemarie continues to amaze us,” Stephen explained early in September. “The prayers of some of the teenagers at a recent meeting were remarkable in their simple sincerity, their freshness and their faith. There was such life in them. One of the lads invited Christ into his life last weekend. As from September we will be holding weekly Sunday services in Donnemarie.”

Later in September Stephen wrote, “Since the 11^th they have been holding weekly Sunday services in a well-adapted modern building that they rent for the weekends. The 18^th saw their first baptism, Nicole. Another is planned for October. Regular attendance is about 50. The monthly Café-croissant-Bible studies are continuing.”

A church needs a leader and the couple behind this new church plant are members of Stephen and Rosemary’s church, Philippe and Joanne Mayhew. They are an experienced missionary couple who have worked with Child Evangelism in France (CEF) for 20 years. They have just joined ECM in order to focus on church planting.

The new church plant belongs to the French Baptist Association, the same church movement as the Veneux church. It is great to welcome another couple to ECM’s team in France, especially as they are already well on their way to success!

By the way, back at Veneux Stephen says, “We have moved to having two identical church services every Sunday in an effort to ensure that the growth of the church is not hindered by lack of space. We are still in the trial period; we haven’t yet resolved all the difficulties, but we’re working on it.”

If you are inspired by what is going on in France, find out more about the opportunities there and across Europe by clicking here.