The Federation of Evangelical Baptist Churches of France (FEEBF) celebrates its 100th anniversary by looking to the future

The largest federation of Baptist churches in France, the Federation of Evangelical Baptist Churches of France (FEEBF) celebrated its hundredth anniversary on Thursday at a congress in Port-Marly in the Yvelines. The opportunity for the representatives of the organization to “discern” what God wishes to do for the years to come. 

From May 26 to 28 took place the 2022 Congress of the Federation of Evangelical Baptist Churches of France, a somewhat special congress since the organization celebrated its centenary this year. The delegates of the 113 churches of the organization were gathered on this occasion around the theme “Roots and zeal”.

Delegates from our 113 churches #baptists say with one voice the text that founds our #alliance federative then sing the fidelity of #God. #together #100 years @BWA @EBF pic.twitter.com/QFwhHo8G8R

— Baptist Federation (@FedeBaptiste) May 26, 2022

The FEEBF celebrates on Twitter a "time of joy" and "thankfulness" for the faithfulness of God during these 100 years of existence.

Our 3 presidents from g. to r, Nicolas Farelly, Stefan Gisiger, Tomas Mackay, (@FEEBFpdt, @EBF,@BWA) are preparing to blow out the centenary candles. With @Meak_official and the Heritage Group! A time of joy, of gratitude for the fidelity of #God #100 years pic.twitter.com/YPQEPQuPQW

— Baptist Federation (@FedeBaptiste) May 26, 2022

"What a path traveled, in 100 years of existence... The FEEBF has gone through its share of trials, of course, but the Lord has always been faithful (and he remains so!)", declared Nicolas Farelly, President of the FEEBF in a message published on this occasion.

Within the FEEBF the churches are autonomous, they depend only on themselves “and on God”, specify the statutes of the federation. However, “no Church is unaware that it is surrounded by sister Churches, founded on the same faith in Jesus Christ”, these statutes still indicate.

A text which underlines the vocation of unity of the Federation and which also reflects the challenge of this anniversary Congress, the aim of which, according to Nicolas Farelly, was to "live fully these federative dimensions of fraternity, collaboration and mutual aid”.

However, the centenary “old lady” intends to go further and is already looking to the future by listening to God.

“We want to discern together what God expects of us for the next 5, 10… 100 years! What is his project for our federation? How can we serve and glorify him by doing common work in such diverse and varied fields as evangelization and development, mission, youth, vocations and formation, social support, etc.? In all of these areas, God has prepared the way, and God is waiting for us. »

Thus, concludes the president of the FEEBF, if the year 2022 "intends to be festive", it is also the year of a challenge, "that of discernment of the paths that God traces" for the federation. To raise it, he invites to prayer, “because what are the chances of achieving this discernment without prayer? “, he adds.

“May the Lord continue to lead the steps of our Federation. May he strengthen her and give her the ability to listen. The good shepherd knows the green pastures he wants us to experience. »

La Federation of Evangelical Baptist Churches of France is a member of the Protestant Federation of France (FPF) as well as the National Council of Evangelicals of France (CNEF), of which she is a co-founder.

Camille Westphal Perrier 

Image credit: Twitter account of the Federation of Evangelical Baptist Churches of France