I was born in Lisbon, in 1993, to a Dutch mother, who grew up in Suriname (South America) and comes from a family of missionaries of the Reformed Church of the Netherlands; and a Portuguese father, born in Congo (ex-Zaire), where he converted in the early 1980s. My parents were both missionaries.
With my sister, we grew up in faith and the fear of God, in Morocco, as well as in Mauritania and Senegal. Our parents also passed on to us the use of English, our mother tongue and communication language, in our multicultural family.
It is often very difficult for someone who grew up “in the church pew” to talk about their beginnings in Christ. However, as far as I am concerned, what emerges most from my teenage years is a mysterious paradox. Eager for biblical reading, I nonetheless remained blind to the central message of the grace manifested on the cross. Thus, while maintaining an impeccable exterior facade, I slowly began to sink into various questions and addictions, which made me doubt the reality of my faith. Around the age of 16, I was able to talk about my doubts to my father, who listened to me patiently and subsequently took regular time to encourage me and support me in my struggles. His constant fatherly love helped me realize something of the love of God.
When I arrived in France in 2011 to study geography, I was motivated by a desire to live for Christ, but having grown up in a predominantly religious Africa, I suddenly found myself confronted with the postulate of atheism. Christian apologetics was of great help to me in these moments, but above all it was a personal conversion experience in April 2013 which brought me solid assurance of my salvation, acquired by the blood of the Lamb, and applied by the Holy Spirit. At the same time, I discovered the deep peace and overflowing joy that comes from belonging to Christ.
Little by little, the Lord dawned in my mind the desire to dedicate myself more to his service, which I did through works such as the GBU or my local church. But for many years I resisted his call to serve full time. It was only after my plan to become a history-geography professor collapsed, and a year off, that I finally resolved to study theology with a view to full-time ministry. On the advice of my pastor, I chose the Jean Calvin Faculty.
Arriving in Aix in September 2018, I had the joy of being able to begin my training in a serene environment conducive to healing, surrounded by teachers who fear God and who love their students. Living on campus allowed me to establish very strong contacts, both with my classmates and with the other young Christians in the area. The small classes allowed for real exchanges, in an almost family atmosphere. Our teachers excelled in this difficult balance between doctrinal rigor and openness to discussion, and I felt full of confidence and freedom to tackle the complex hermeneutical questions, bottled up in me for so many years. Currently in the United Protestant Church of France (UPCF), I see how privileged I am to have been able to develop a solid doctrinal framework to frame my thinking. The 2nd part of my degree, marked by the deprivations linked to Covid, was nevertheless a period of greater interiority, with a lighter course schedule, and the opportunity to deepen my relationships with the residents.
My master’s degree, which I started in September 2021, allows me to move away from theory and train myself in the crucible of concrete ministry. My first internship, with a church on the outskirts of Marseille, in the particular sanitary conditions that we experienced, was for me a very good experience, the opportunity to confront myself with my faults and to learn certain fundamentals of pastoral service.
My second year of Masters, which I am currently finishing, is taking place in a project to revitalize the in Dreux (Eure-et-Loir), where I serve as project manager. It is a rich and beautiful experience. I am surrounded by a dynamic and visionary team, baptized in the love of Christ. We are experiencing a period of renewal and growth: the premises, which were for sale in 2019, now welcome 35-50 parishioners to worship. So much so that this project has become a beacon of hope for this denomination which so badly needs a Revival.
And this beautiful harvest in the Lord's vineyards is also made possible thanks, among other things, to the tools that have been provided to me over the last 5 years in Aix-en-Provence.
To God alone be all the glory!
Joel Da Costa
