May 5 – Our Jewish and Muslim Neighbors

As we begin WEEK 2, please read aloud our verse of the week: John 13:34:

“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

We are also beginning Theme 4: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS.

Jews for Jesus (Juifs Pour Jésus – JPJ)

Location: Paris (75)

Represented by Josué Turnil

Current Context

The organization has three main divisions:

• Individual or group discipleship support for people of Jewish origin and organization of Evangelical events
• Efforts against anti-Semitism (conferences, collaboration with the CNEF, participation in solidarity events with the Jewish people and Israel)
• Visits to Evangelical churches to help them share the Gospel with the Jewish people and show how the Messiah is present in Jewish festivals.

Our activities take place mainly in Paris, but also in Southern France, Switzerland and Belgium. We have organized dinners, open-air concerts, a camp for children and teenagers, testimonies from Holocaust survivors, and Hebrew language courses, among other events.

Actions taken and results achieved in 2024 

In addition to our missionary activities, we organized a Christian youth camp called Camp Guilgal for young Jewish children; meetings called Zikaron Basalon, featuring testimonies from Holocaust survivors; and religious services in partnership with a Paris synagogue called Kol Nidré. This is a huge step forward in our acceptance by and relationship with the Jewish world in France. 

A young Israeli woman called Gisèle (name changed) gave her life to the Lord Jesus about a month ago at our Paris office. 

Dov (name changed), a young Israeli who has lived in France for many years, gave his life to the Lord a few months ago. He is now preparing for his baptism. 

Projects in 2025

A multiplication of souls saved, resulting particularly from the development of our digital ministries

Prayer requests

1. Pray that we can cope with the many unusual health problems affecting our team members and their spouses. This is the priority prayer topic for us as it continues to hinder our missionary activities. 

2. Pray that God will continue to provide for our finances. 

Additional information

Jews for Jesus website: juifspourjesus.org 

University Bible Groups (Groupe Bibliques Universitaires – GBU)

Location: Major cities across France

Represented by Lyès Chalah

Current Context

GBU effectively leverages the intellectual environment of French universities to bring the Bible, and through it the Gospel message, to students. The association’s approach is based on several key initiatives, such as : 

• Forum Veritas: These conference-debates bring together Christian and non-Christian speakers on topical issues, encouraging constructive exchanges.
• Discussions Around the Bible (DAB): led by Christian students, these sessions are open to all and aim to explore biblical texts in an accessible way.
• “Next Question” publications: This series of writings addresses topics relevant to students, whether or not they are believers, offering answers to common questions.
• Discussions Around the Bible and the Coran (DABC): These groups are an essential tool for facilitating interfaith dialogue with Muslim students.

Regeneration within the GBUs takes several forms: 

• Constant improvement of evangelization approaches: GBU continually adapts their events and projects to meet the current needs of students in the field.
• Team evolution: GBU team members are equipped to keep pace with the changing expectations of the student population.
• Unique interactions: Every encounter with students, whether one-on-one or in a group, offers an opportunity for regeneration and spiritual growth. This dynamic approach enables GBU to maintain their mission to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples on university campuses. 

These two testimonials illustrate the positive impact of Discussions Around the Bible and the Koran (DABC) on Muslim students: 

• Aboubakar (Guinea Conakry) attended DABC in Paris for over two years. He particularly enjoyed the book of Isaiah, and the discussions motivated him to buy and read the Bible. 
• Ishfaq (Pakistan) attended a discussion on the theme of salvation. He was deeply touched by Jesus, sent by God for the salvation of mankind. He has since decided to join a Discussion Around the Bible (DAB) group. 

Actions taken and results achieved in 2024 

• Theoretical training sessions, practical workshops and apologetics sessions, followed by a public seminar on “Jesus in the Bible and the Koran.”
• A number of discussions on the Bible and the Koran, with some groups meeting in person and others on Zoom. The latest meeting was on the theme of “The Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus,” which brought together several Christian and Muslim participants from all over France.
• The creation of a booklet containing five discussions on the Bible and the Koran, showing God’s plan of salvation for mankind from Genesis to the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Projects in 2025

• Publishing the DABC booklet and making it available to various GBUs, as well as to churches in the future to promote interfaith dialogue
• A training manual on witnessing among Muslims to be made available to GBUs and church youth groups
• Setting up new discussion groups on the Bible and the Koran, particularly in major cities such as Paris and Strasbourg

Prayer requests 

1. Pray for the development of DABC groups in France and in Europe.
2. Pray for new partners who can pray for and support the ministry, and help move forward with research and writing projects. 

Further information

1. DABC on the Impact France website: impactfrance.org/lyes

2. DABC website for GBUs: dabc.gbu.fr