Cheryl:
My four years of high school French study in Fairbanks, Alaska, instilled in me a love for the French language and culture. When I first went to France in 1983, this love grew into a question: 'Could God be calling me to France?' At Wheaton College I studied both French and music, and earned my certification to teach French ...in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. All this time I kept asking God if He would call me to France.

James:
I studied French in high school before receiving a degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado. A similar dream about serving a church in France was growing in my heart. At an Urbana missions conference (www.urbana.org),in 1990, I met Alongside Ministries International representatives and began the long process of preparing to go to France. Cheryl and I met in 1993 when we both attended our first Alongside gathering in Fresno, California.

James and Cheryl:
During our theological studies (Faculté de Théologie protestante), we became involved as Alongsiders in a committed, caring community at Saint Nicolas church in the heart of Strasbourg. Since 1994, the Renouveau Saint Nicolas--part of the charismatic renewal among Protestants and Catholics in Alsace & Lorraine--welcomes over 200 people on Sunday nights for dynamic modern worship services. People from all walks of life respond to the preaching of the Gospel, prayer ministry and counseling services.

Since 2008, we’ve been in the Vosges mountains, west of Strasbourg (Alsace) in a little town called Waldersbach. This town was home to the famous pastor and pedagogue, Jean Frédéric Oberlin (www.musee-oberlin.com). James finished his practical training here, pastoring two parishes. In October 2009, He was ordained in the Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine (www.uepal.fr) . Besides enjoying the beauty of this hilly and forested area, we are investing in people’s lives through the weekly opportunities a rural parish setting provides. James focuses on visits, catechism, worship services, etc., while Cheryl leads Bible studies and co-leads Sunday school.

In 2010, we look forward to welcoming the multi-cultural team who will come alongside the parishes in July as part of AD2010: Building Bridges.

If you would like to contribute to the work of James and Cheryl please click here: