Why France is a mission field:
Of the millions of French who claim catholicism, only about 5% of French people actually are involved in a local catholic church. There are not enough priests or even lay workers for the catholic church in France, with many towns sharing in a rotation for weekend mass. Protestants make up about 3% of the French population (compared to about 30% in the US). Part of this deficit is further complicated by the fact that many, many French towns do not have *any kind* of protestant church.
Now, for the good news. The good news is that the number of new churches in France is increasing every year. Some of those churches are now flourishing, praise God. Many churches are still quite small, but are changing lives one by one. God is doing some amazing things!
There are still not enough workers. The French are still greatly relying on others who are coming from other countries to fill in the gaps. And there is still immense gratitude toward those who come and work alongside their French brothers and sisters.
Now, for the good news. The good news is that the number of new churches in France is increasing every year. Some of those churches are now flourishing, praise God. Many churches are still quite small, but are changing lives one by one. God is doing some amazing things!
There are still not enough workers. The French are still greatly relying on others who are coming from other countries to fill in the gaps. And there is still immense gratitude toward those who come and work alongside their French brothers and sisters.