Over the past few years, the France district of the Church of the Nazarene has undergone and is undergoing renewal, characterized by recently started new works, and a new spirit of harmony and unity.

The culmination of this renewal was marked by the joint celebration service on Sunday, November 20, 2011, with each of the six churches and three mission starts on the district represented. With over 200 in attendance, the Church reclaimed its God-given identity as one body as it celebrated around the table of the Lord in the Eucharist, said Brian Ketchum, France District facilitator.

The district and its leadership are rediscovering the mission Christ laid out for His church and are choosing to look ahead, seeking the Holy Spirit’s vision for the future. Led by a newly formed National Board, the church in France is positioning itself for a future rich in hope and vibrant with expectancy, said Ketchum.

“After nearly a three-year pause, there is a fresh start, there is new momentum in France,” said Didier Vallée, pastor of Montpellier Church of the Nazarene.

Attendees unanimously passed new bylaws, and formed an all-new National Board for the Nazarene Church in France. It includes six pastors, a new treasurer, Mrs. Corinne Leroux, and a new secretary, Mr. Charles Remy, Vallée added.

Rev. Rodrigue Valentin, outgoing president, thanked the other outgoing officers and offered words of encouragement to the new board and the new president, Rev. Benoît Bergerat.

"We are excited to see a new movement of God among the leaders of the Church of the Nazarene in France,” said Bergerat. “God is bringing about a spirit of unity, zeal, and celebration as His children in France seek Him in new ways. This weekend is an expression of this growing movement. We believe that these are days of preparation and transformation which will lead to lasting fruit as we follow the one true church leader: Jesus-Christ, the Head of the Church."

There has been an increasing momentum for several years, as two church plants have started outside of Paris, and ministry leaders are praying about starting a third new work in the Paris area.

The Ecouen church has been meeting since 2005, currently with about 15 to 20 people and their leader, Pastor Joseph Toguyera. They gather biweekly in various locations about 20 kilometers north of Paris.

The Essonne church, about 60 kilometers south of Paris, is a daughter plant of the Paris 2 church. Pastor Jean Yvon Charles and his family opened their home in 2009 to weekly meetings. When the group grew to about 50 – too big to meet comfortably in the home – they began meeting in a rented hall, moving again to another shared space in April.

“There is potential for a third ministry group to develop in the Paris area,” Ketchum said.  “Please be in prayer for this group and its leadership as they seek God's direction, and council from the district for continued healthy development.”