I’m writing to share an important step our family is taking after much prayer, counsel, and confirmation from the Lord: we are preparing to serve as missionaries in France.
This past week has been incredibly busy as we set out to lay the groundwork for our future ministry. And now, we’re coming to you asking for continued prayer and support.
Why France?
Since 2018, when I surrendered to ministry at Temple Baptist Church in Rogers, Michelle and I have prayed privately about overseas missions. Every step since (from learning about global missions to pastoring) has accentuated our calling and burden for the people of France.
France has been described as “the land scorched by the gospel.” Once vibrant with gospel witness, it is now one of the most spiritually resistant nations in the world. Of its 67 million people, more than 50 million have no connection to a church. Fewer than one percent identify as evangelical. Many of its breathtaking cathedrals now stand as museums or mausoleums of a faith that once flourished.
The ministry needed in France consists of slow, relational and patient discipleship — the kind of ministry God has most equipped me for. We envision ourselves walking alongside the French while building trust and planting seeds of gospel hope in a spiritually dry land. And through consistent and faithful laboring, we are already praying that God will prepare a Frenchman to plant a church alongside us.
Through prayer and discussion, we see an opportunity to join Sean and Kendall Pasley in the work God has already begun. We’re ready to answer that call.
Where We Are in the Process
Our church has graciously encouraged us in this endeavor as our sending church. This week, we have focused on building what we consider to be our key partnerships for the ministry ahead.
We met with BMA Global, who provide missionary care, support, oversight and guidance to strengthen our ministry. From the moment we began discussing this opportunity, we wanted to be BMA missionaries.
I am amazed by the Lord’s provision. When we asked a small group of friends to start praying with us, the Lord certainly answered those prayers. We accepted three opportunities to share our call with 45 churches in one weekend. On Friday, I shared our call with the BMA of the Ozarks. On Saturday, I updated the churches of the United Association that voted to become our first financial partners. And then Sunday morning, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Vilonia, Ark., invited me to share and preach during their morning services.
Through our meetings, God blessed us with open doors. BMA Global has welcomed us and is providing us with resources that will strengthen us as we prepare for the challenges ahead. We will report back to the missionary committee in February for the next steps of completing our evaluation.
Our first obstacle is raising the initial support needed for travel as we meet with potential long-term partners. These travel costs add up quickly, and this is where your early partnership can make a direct, tangible impact. As our family prepares to transition away from pastoral ministry, we’re requesting support to build up our mission start-up fund. After our meetings, we’re 4% closer to what we’ll need to make this transition possible. Praise the Lord!
We are incredibly grateful for these opportunities. Supporting missionary families is more than finances. We need prayer, encouragement, accountability and friendship. You may be considering partnering with us or missionaries personally for the first time. We encourage you to start thinking about what it would look like to be a part of our ministry team. Every prayer lifted, every dollar given, every note of encouragement sent, God uses for His purposes and His glory.
How You Can Help Right Now
Pray for future opportunities to share our vision. When I’ve heard from missionaries in the past, I’ve always wanted to support them. Sometimes, I just haven’t been able to be a financial partner. You can still be a tangible part of making our mission to France a reality by inviting us to your church or introducing us to your friends who are interested and care about building God’s Kingdom
• Pray for provision — as we prepare to travel to meet with our partners, the travel cost already feels overwhelming. We trust that the Lord will provide, but ask you to pray for His provision.
• Pray about joining our team — now that we are working through BMA Global’s evaluation process, you can begin sending designated support for “The Bremers to France” to BMA Global at P.O. Box 878, Conway, AR 72033.
I’d love to hear from you! You can contact us at derrick@livingoutthegospel.com.
It means so much to us when we hear from you — even if it’s just a simple “Praying for you all!” Your encouragement strengthens us more than you know.
