Why
France?
Like most typical post-Christian European countries, France has great spiritual needs. Its proximity to North Africa and immigration have changed the landscape both ethnically and religiously. Less than 2% of the population identifies as Christian, while more than 30% identify as not religious. The city of Grenoble is home to France’s third largest university, with over 60,000 university students and 3,000 researchers in the city.
Our
Partnership
Nick and Annie VanWingerden began serving in Grenoble, France, as missionaries in 2008. After seven years with the Foyer Évangélique Universitaire on the edge of the University of Grenoble campus, the VanWingerdens, alongside Aurélien and Chloe Lang, took on the challenge of planting Grenoble East Church. The VanWingerdens and their local church can connect with young people from all over the world. Through their church community, they want to give students an opportunity to hear the truth of the gospel by exposing them to God's Word and Christian community.
Grace Church began supporting the VanWingerdens in 2022 through financial and prayer support. A new partnership with Grenoble East Church began in 2023 to support the church’s efforts to better equip them to minister to French and international people in their communities and on their university campus.
What You
Can Do
Our partnership with Grenoble East Church will include future opportunities to serve through short-term mission teams. As these opportunities take shape, we invite you to pray for the VanWingerden family and the church as they continue renovations on their newly purchased building. Pray that this space would become a true blessing to the surrounding community and a place where the gospel is faithfully shared and lives are transformed.
