Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why France?
The short answer is that God loves people -- even the French -- and He wants to make His glory and His love known to all people. Watch the story of my call.
2. When did you arrive?
I arrived in Toulouse on Feb. 20, 2013.
3. How long will you stay?
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." -- Proverbs 16:9 (NIV).
I have signed a letter of call to serve for 23 months, but I know that many longer short-term candidates end up transitioning into long-term missionary service. I also know that circumstances can change, and that a variety of factors could cut my term short. Ultimately, I am trusting God's plans.
4. How much money do you need?
My entire budget for 23 months is about $84,000. This includes ministry expenses like rent and office supplies, benefits like health insurance, a service allocation to the national office and a small monthly salary.
5. How can I help?
You can commit to pray for me monthly. You can give monthly or one-time. You can tell your friends or church about me or arrange a gathering in your home. You can send me encouragement or care packages when I'm on the field. You can come visit me or organize a team to come to Toulouse. Possibilities abound.
6. Why is it so expensive?
With a weak American dollar, France is an expensive place to live. Also, with some expenses like health insurance, all missionaries pay the same rate to compensate for missionaries not eligible for American health insurance because of the countries they live in. I'm doing all I can to live simply (like living with roommates). Rest assured, I won't be getting rich by becoming a missionary in France.
7. Can you work while you're in France?
Not until I have a 10-year card (the equivalent of a green card in the U.S.). I cannot apply for one until I have been in France five years. Trying to work before this time could get me permanently blacklisted.
8. Do you speak French?
Un peu. Since I already know Spanish, I'm picking up on French pretty quickly. I started language school in March here in Toulouse.
9. Are missionaries needed in France?
Yes. France is considered to be a post-modern and post-Christian society where intellectual skepticism and atheism are common. 32 percent of France is considered least-reached. 27 percent of French people believe in God or a supreme being. Only 12 percent attend a church at least once per year.
10. What is ReachGlobal's mission philosophy?
Develop. Empower. Release. These are the words I will live by on the field as our team seeks to disciple and develop national leaders who can be empowered and released to reach their own people. Read ReachGlobal's guiding principles.
The short answer is that God loves people -- even the French -- and He wants to make His glory and His love known to all people. Watch the story of my call.
2. When did you arrive?
I arrived in Toulouse on Feb. 20, 2013.
3. How long will you stay?
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." -- Proverbs 16:9 (NIV).
I have signed a letter of call to serve for 23 months, but I know that many longer short-term candidates end up transitioning into long-term missionary service. I also know that circumstances can change, and that a variety of factors could cut my term short. Ultimately, I am trusting God's plans.
4. How much money do you need?
My entire budget for 23 months is about $84,000. This includes ministry expenses like rent and office supplies, benefits like health insurance, a service allocation to the national office and a small monthly salary.
5. How can I help?
You can commit to pray for me monthly. You can give monthly or one-time. You can tell your friends or church about me or arrange a gathering in your home. You can send me encouragement or care packages when I'm on the field. You can come visit me or organize a team to come to Toulouse. Possibilities abound.
6. Why is it so expensive?
With a weak American dollar, France is an expensive place to live. Also, with some expenses like health insurance, all missionaries pay the same rate to compensate for missionaries not eligible for American health insurance because of the countries they live in. I'm doing all I can to live simply (like living with roommates). Rest assured, I won't be getting rich by becoming a missionary in France.
7. Can you work while you're in France?
Not until I have a 10-year card (the equivalent of a green card in the U.S.). I cannot apply for one until I have been in France five years. Trying to work before this time could get me permanently blacklisted.
8. Do you speak French?
Un peu. Since I already know Spanish, I'm picking up on French pretty quickly. I started language school in March here in Toulouse.
9. Are missionaries needed in France?
Yes. France is considered to be a post-modern and post-Christian society where intellectual skepticism and atheism are common. 32 percent of France is considered least-reached. 27 percent of French people believe in God or a supreme being. Only 12 percent attend a church at least once per year.
10. What is ReachGlobal's mission philosophy?
Develop. Empower. Release. These are the words I will live by on the field as our team seeks to disciple and develop national leaders who can be empowered and released to reach their own people. Read ReachGlobal's guiding principles.