France
Republic of France
May 8-10
Europe

May 8 next >

Answers to Prayer

1 Evangelical Christianity has grown over the past 40 years despite the massive secularization of society, indifference and decline in church involvement

2 The Roma (Gypsy) minority is now the most evangelical people in France

Challenges for Prayer

1 There are major spiritual strongholds that hinder acceptance of the gospel:

a) The brutal persecutions of the Huguenots (French Protestants) in the 16th and 17th Centuries is a dark stain on the soul of France

b) The French Revolution in 1789-1801 was one of the defining moments of world history

c) The insensitivity of the Anglophone nations, especially England and the USA

d) The surprisingly widespread involvement with occult practices

2 France is at a crossroads

3 France remains historically and culturally Catholic, but there has been a massive numerical decline in both Catholic and mainline Protestant churches

4 The Catholic Church has lost much of its influence in society

May 8 next >

Geography


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Area 543,965 sq.km. The largest country in Western Europe.

Population (2000) 59,079,709 +0.36%AGR

Capital Paris 10.7 mill.

Peoples

Indigenous 84%; International minorities 16%.

Literacy 99%. Official language French. Regional languages in decline. French is the first language of 120 million people worldwide. All languages 25. Languages with Scriptures 12Bi 3NT 11por.

Economy

Stability and growth leading to a high standard of living. HDI 0.918; 11th/174. Public debt 42% of GNP. Income/person $26,270 (92% of USA).

Politics

Democratic republic with strong executive presidency.

Religion

Secular state with freedom of religion, but with a long history of severe persecution of dissenters and reformers before the 1789 Revolution.

Religions Population % Adherents Ann.Gr.
Christian 67.72 40,008,779 -0.1%
non-Religious 19.76 11,674,150 +0.7%
Muslim 10.00 5,907,971 +2.5%
Jewish 1.18 697,141 +0.2%
Buddhist/Chinese 1.02 602,613 +4.6%
Other 0.30 177,239 +0.4%
Baha'i 0.02 11,816 +0.4%
Christians Denom. Affil.% ,000 Ann.Gr.
Protestant 99 1.58 935 +2.1%
Independent 45 0.38 222 +3.5%
Anglican 1 0.03 20 +0.0%
Catholic 1 67.71 40,000 -1.8%
Orthodox 13 0.79 467 -0.9%
Marginal 21 0.62 369 +0.0%
Doubly affiliated   -3.39 -2,000 n.a.

Churches in France

Missionaries from France

approx. 600 in 56 agencies to 55 countries

Missionaries to France

1,519 in 155 agencies from 40 countries


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