10 There are over 12 residential Evangelical Bible Schools and Seminaries, both denominational and interdenominational, with around 250 students

a) Full-time workers to be called for ministry

b) A deep work of the Holy Spirit to equip those trained with both the theological understanding and spiritual maturity to make an impact for eternity

c) The blessing of the whole Francophone world through French and foreign students who graduate

11 French Evangelicals, though few, have sent out over 300 missionaries into 55 lands

12 French and foreign missions have a vital servant role to play in evangelism and church planting

13 Youth ministries are vital in a nation where dysfunctional families are 'normal', moral absolutes absent and where many young people are bored, frustrated and confused

a) Children's ministry

b) Young people are more receptive to the gospel

c) There are 68 universities and over 2 million students in tertiary education — 300,000 of these are foreign students

14 Christian Help Ministries

a) The Bible Society published the Good News Bible in French in 1982

b) Literature is a valuable tool for evangelism and discipleship

c) Radio and TV evangelism became a new tool when local broadcasting licences were more easily obtained

Religion

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

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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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; 11^th/174. Public debt 42% of GNP. Income/person $26,270 (92% of USA).

Politics

Democratic republic with strong executive presidency.

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