May 12 – Families and Neighborhoods

Grain de Blé France

Location: National, based in Nogent-sur-Marne (94)

Represented by Laurent Virlogeux

Current Context

Grain de Blé (Grain of Wheat) is an association that has been working with young people in France for 65 years. Our slogan “Every Child Counts” captures our vision for children to come to know Jesus and become ambassadors for Christ. To achieve this, we support churches by offering them a range of tools and programs: camps, clubs, large-scale family festivals in local neighborhoods and various artistic projects. Our aim is to train churches and support them through these projects, so they understand the importance of fullying shepherding children. 

Over our history, we have seen God’s faithfulness as we accompany many children and their families. Seeing children transformed and choosing to place Jesus at the center of their lives is extraordinary. The many testimonies attest that God has always been at work, even in difficult times.

In any ministry, there are times of challenge and trial. Our organization has gone through difficult times, particularly at an international level, yet despite these difficulties, we have experienced times of forgiveness, restoration and regeneration.

A young girl was dealing with depression when she attended an art camp that we hosted. She tried to cover her unhappiness with laughter, but as soon as she was alone, her sadness returned. During an evening of testimonies, she began crying because she could no longer hide her pain. Another young woman prayed for her, without knowing the reason for her tears. The young girl felt a great peace and commented that it was as if someone had taken away her burden. She was so happy to feel the peace that God can give! 

Actions taken and results achieved in 2024

Our main activities are organizing sleep-away camps for young people aged 6 to 17, hosting evangelization events in local neighborhoods, forming clubs, arranging inter-youth meetings on specific themes (harassment, pornography, etc.) and providing services for families. 

2024 was special since France hosted the Olympics. We were delighted to be able to see the relevance of our Festival model as we helped many churches to implement it, creating a fun and interactive environment for their communities. 

Projects in 2025

We believe that God will continue to use us to reach even more children. Our vision is to expand what God has entrusted to us by working hand-in-hand with additional partners as we see God leading us more and more to work with new ministries and churches.

Prayer Request

Pray that everything we do will bear the imprint of Christ, that we can recruit more volunteers through our various activities and that our actions will inspire more children to learn about and follow Christ. 

Further information

1. Grain de Blé France: on the تأثير فرنسا موقع إلكتروني 

2. Grain de Blé France website: graindeblefrance.fr

Les Porteurs d’Espoir (Bearers of Hope)

Location: Paris (75)

Represented by Elisabet Dominguez

Current Context

Les Porteurs d’Espoir (Bearers of Hope) is a mercy ministry, working for a future where the most vulnerable have access to a new life in Christ. Many families arrive in France full of certain hopes, such as wanting to offer their children a better future, but reality hits them hard. More than 3 million children live below the poverty line and face uncertainty, rejection and isolation on a daily basis.

The annual figures for children in danger are alarming:

• 1 in 3 children is vulnerable to psychological disorders
• 1 in 8 children is a victim of bullying
• 160,000 children suffer sexual violence 
• 7,000 -10,000 minors are victims of human trafficking 
• Nearly 10% of prostitution victims are minors.

Due to a lack of self-esteem, these young people perceive no future for themselves. Many fall victim to predators becoming trapped in a cycle of abuse and despair. For over 20 years, Les Porteurs d’Espoir has been representing the Gospel in tangible ways, focusing on the most vulnerable people: children and victims of human trafficking. We accompany each and every person through a life-changing transformation.

This year we celebrated our 20th anniversary and rejoiced as we saw what God has done. Thousands of people have heard the Gospel message, and the seed of the Word is sprouting. This year we are reunited with young people who were impacted over 10 years ago! We recognize that God is still at work in the hearts of the young and old. Our collaboration with the city’s churches has helped many children and young people discover their calling, and seeing them now serve God is encouraging. In 2017, the association’s persistent work led to the establishment of a church in the 17tth arrondissement of Paris, a model we believe will multiply. We are IN the city FOR the city. God is paving the way and using many faithful workers to reach the unreached like transgender people and those who are sexually exploited. 

This year, we are developing the program Potentiel et Réussite (Potential & Success), aimed at helping 15-25 year olds discover their true identity in Christ and support them in their career plans.

Les Porteurs d’Espoir is inspired by an encounter in Mark 2:1-12, where a group of friends bring their paralytic friend to Jesus. They overcome obstacles so that, at the feet of Jesus, their friend receives full restoration: spiritual, physical and social. Our vision is to see lives transformed and regenerated, moving from a life without hope to a future full of promise. 

Arriving from the Congo at the age of 9, Fanny lived in a dingy hotel when our ministry first visited her. Years later, as an adult, even as she found herself lost in relationships without a future, she remembered that God could help her. So 13 years after first meeting Les Porteurs d’Espoir’ she decided to contact us again. Touched by the Holy Spirit, she reconnected with the BIble and decided to put her life in order before God and commit to following Jesus, becoming a bearer of hope herself. 

Actions taken and results achieved in 2024

• Food distribution: All year round, we respond to the basic needs of families and individuals who are victims of human trafficking by offering food packs and hygiene products. 
• Christmas for all: At Christmas, we put on a Christmas show that brings parents and children together, and we give every child a present. 
• Time for a break: For victims of human trafficking, we provide a day set aside for meditation and self-discovery with the Bible.

Projects in 2025

Les Porteurs d’Espoir is multiplying in the city. The young people who we have supported are rising up today, transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and sharing the Gospel in action and truth to the most vulnerable around them. We aspire to give birth to two additional teams of our ministry in other neighborhoods as sources of hope, In the city FOR the city. Onward! “And this we will do, if God permits.” Hebrews 6:3

Prayer requests

1. Pray for workers to join us in our mission field with a renewed leadership team.

2. Pray for the seeds planted in people’s hearts to bear fruit and for collaboration between churches and ministries to gain momentum and develop with discernment and divine wisdom.

Further information

1. Les Porteurs d’Espoir on the Impact France website: impactfrance.org/espoir75 

2. Les Porteurs d’Espoir website: porteursdespoir.com