"The time is fulfilled...
...and the Kingdom is at hand."
Please Pray
For each student who actively prepares for exam week (June 19-23, 2017)
For clear a vision of God's calling for the next stages of their lives
That those deciding on a commitment to study at the CJF would be convinced by the Most High
Dear Friends,
France has long been considered one of the most secular countries in the world. Its policy of laïcité keeps anything smacking of religion out of public life, to the point where there is serious legislation limiting the size and prominence of symbols such as the cross or the hijab. But it doesn’t take much to see another ethos coming to the surface.
The left-leaning Nouvel Observateur recently asked, “Why the devil are all five leading presidential candidates Catholics?” Despite declining numbers attending mass, one quarter of the French population considers itself Catholiques engagés. And everyone, Protestant, Catholic or secularist, is newly fascinated by Martin Luther on the five hundredth anniversary of his posting the 95 Theses on the Castle door at Wittenberg. Part of the reason for the new courage of Christians to declare their faith is the perception of a double standard applied to Muslims and the rest. After years of trying to comply with laïcité they resent how the media and politicians enforce the rules differently with Muslims. Time to stand up.
Our Seminary in Aix is at the forefront of these trends. In a recent Carrefour Théologique, the annual conference held at the Faculté Jean Calvin, the topic was “faith and works: the biblical and theological approach”. Not only were Catholicism and Protestantism compared, but a special lecture on the role of good works in Islam was given by Karim Arezki, a converted Algerian now serving as a pastor in a large evangelical church in Paris.
Our graduates are going into a society which has been deeply disappointed by secularization. There is a thirst for something more. Their message will not primarily address the unfair treatment of Christians but the great relevance of Jesus Christ for our times. For more information on the Huguenot Fellowship and the work of the Seminary in Aix do visit our newly invigorated web site. And thank you very much for your generous support.
Very Truly Yours
William Edgar,
President
Gert Kwakkel, Professor of Old Testament at the Faculté Jean Calvin
On April 21, The Huguenot Fellowship (THF) held a Soirée at Westminster Theological Seminary near Philadelphia. Sixty or so attendees enjoyed a memorable evening, which included an address by Gert Kwakkel, Professor of Old Testament at the Faculté Jean Calvin (FJC) in Aix-en-Provence, France; special musical by gifted vocalist-composer Ruth Naomi Floyd, along with Bill Edgar on keyboard, and Randy Pendleton on bass; a dramatic recitation (en français) of Genesis 1 by Libbie Groves; an appeal for support by THF Trustee Paul Wolfe (next week be sure to read Paul's inspiring account of why this date/event has deep personal significance); a delightful buffet dinner; and fun rides around the campus in Trustee Nan Powlison's antique car.
Prof. Kwakkel gave an update on FJC citing 7 permanent and 10 associate professors, over 100 matriculated students, plus 30 students taking courses à la carte. Half of the students are from France and half from elsewhere, including North Africa and South Korea. Graduate programs include 29 students in the masters program and 12 students in the doctoral program. The seminary offers both traditional onsite and innovative distance learning approaches. God continues to bless the training of His servants at FJC!
For you who could not attend, your presence at this Soirée was dearly missed! We sincerely hope that you will be able to attend the next one. Meanwhile please continue to pray for and contribute to The Huguenot Fellowship as it continues to support the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the French-speaking world. Many thanks to you, faithful friends and generous donors, without whom this ministry could not exit!
