This is an up-to-date look at the missionary ministry of Phyllis and David Porter in France.
Europe Still Calls!
David and Phyllis Porter
Last weekend shook me a bit and I was glad.
We’ve really tried to get centered in on what God wanted for us after leaving Paris. That was a great year and God visited lives.
I’ll be honest with you. I want to be exactly where the Lord wants me and I had prayed for quite some time just saying, “Lord, where and what …?” A lot of things were floating around inside my head.
When you’re 35 and you strike out you shake it off because you know there will be a lot of other at bats. If you miss what God’s saying, there’s always time to re-center. But when you’re 58 you want to hit the ball well each time. I pray that God gives me 20 or 25 more good years but … let’s just say, I better hit the ball now while I can.
Anyway, last week-end we were in Nancy, France for a weekend of services. Friday night I preached on soul-winning, a subject that’s been roaring in my soul recently. Saturday noon, we had a time of prayer and fasting with the church and I shared on soul-winning again.
Saturday afternoon we went out on the streets in a town called Pont à Mousson to talk to people about the Lord and invite them to a special service at the little mission outreach the church in Nancy has there.
We started the service with a few people who normally come to the church and a street person, Denis—about normal for outreaches like that. Suddenly the back door opened and nine teenage young men entered.
I had mixed feelings because when you get a group like that, they often do a show for you instead of the opposite, but in my heart I just gave it to the Lord. When I preached, instead of acting up, they listened, some intently, as I preached the gospel.
I prayed for those who wanted to receive the Lord at the end. I was amazed as they broke out in applause after I had finished (they may have been glad I was done!).
The Lord was there in a special way again as I preached the youth meeting in Nancy that evening, and many came forward to consecrate their lives to the Lord. Sunday was also busy with morning services but it was the afternoon evangelistic service that touched my heart.
I’ll have to admit, I was preached out by then. I had a text and a direction for the message but I didn’t really feel sure of myself, so I just said, “Lord, I trust You.” And did He ever show up!
He gave me a real liberty as I preached and at the end there were many people who came to the altar for salvation—some of them had never responded before, according to the pastor. The first half dozen were young men, which surprised me since it’s usually girls and women who are more responsive to God.
But God encouraged me that we are moving in his will.
The magazine continues to touch people. There are some real challenges but some of the articles are powerful and will change lives. There is a town of 28,000 five minutes from us with almost nothing going for the Lord. We’re praying for Epernay.
We could really get blown out of the water by fear when we see what the dollar is doing– or isn’t doing in this case. Greg Mundis regional director for Europe said, “This has become one of the biggest financial challenges our missionaries have faced, probably since the times of the Great Depression. It’s also a time of incredible stress and an extreme testing of one’s calling - many are in desperate need of the Lord’s intervention.
“I believe this is a critical crossroads for many AG missionaries in Europe. They suddenly find themselves facing mounting debts and possibly even the end of their ministries in Europe,” says Mundis. “Yet, I believe that God can do the miraculous - snatching what the enemy intended for evil and using it for His glory - my faith is committed towards that end!”
But you know what? God is providing and I just believe that for as long as He wants us here, He will provide. THANKS SO MUCH to those of you who pray and faithfully give. We know we’re where God wants us and you’re an important part of that.
