Burkes Soto Family

Ben and Danni serve in the youth ministry in the Villeurbanne-Cusset (EPEVC) church near Lyon with Perspectives. As Ben and Danni were both working in the private sector, God called them in October 2024 to do the one thing they had always told themselves they would never do: serve in full-time ministry! Just a few days after the birth of their daughter and first child, Jeanne-Evangeline, God had simply changed their hearts. They initially worked with a church plant project, but since May 2025, they have switched to overseeing the entire youth ministry (12 to 35) of their local church in Villeurbanne-Cusset (in addition to the young adults group they had already been leading for two years).

So what do they do ?

• Studies: In January 2026, Ben will begin a part-time Master’s degree in Divinity with the Faculté de Théologie Scriptura (FTS) based in Quebec, Canada. He will be studying remotely from Lyon but occasionally could do some classes in Canada. He has already traveled there in summer 2025 to translate an Apologetics class (from English to French) by prof. Jesse Johnson for the school. Since September 2025, Danni has begun a one-year Bible overview course with Ekklesia in their local church. Ekklesia is a Bible course started by their pastor Philippe Viguier which is affiliated with the FTS. Ben and Danni both have a heart to better know the word so that they can better know God and be better witnesses of who He is.
• Discipleship: Ben and Danni share a true joy in meeting regularly with different people in their community. Whether they’re with adults and youth in their local church or youth in the neighboring community of Bron, they are dedicated in making the Gospel known and helping Christians apply biblical truth in their lives. Part of their regular meetups include accompanying couples for marriage preparation, as well as accompanying adults and children in “Discovery of the Bible” courses, amongst other activities.
• Bible and Apologetics Teaching: Though he does not yet have any formal degree in biblical studies, Ben truly enjoys teaching. He loves studying and explaining biblical truth and he does so through different activities : the Bible studies he leads for the young adults group in his local church (Koinonia Jeunes Adultes, 18 to 35), as well as the teachings for the youth groups (ages 12 to 17). He occasionally preaches in his local church as well as others within the church network. His love for the word of God had initially come through his love for Apologetics and answering tough questions. Realizing that the Bible was trustworthy and contained verifiable answers comforted his faith and led him to see how it was “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” He enjoys offering workshops in Apologetics and leading Q/As with the youth. He truly is eager to start the Master’s in Divinity to keep learning about who God is and how to accurately teach His Word.
• Local Church Administration Danni has enjoyed putting to use her God-given gift in administration through their local church. She often helps with producing posters, helping with the main church calendar, organizing church events, organizing church and youth weekends, and helping make sure that the different youth groups stay active and dynamic. Oh, she’s also an amazing cook and baker. If that wasn’t enough, in addition to all those activities, she will also be taking over as church treasurer in January 2026.

Why this ministry matters

The Villeurbanne-Cusset church (EPEVC) was founded in 1991 and planted its first sister church in 2014. It is also part of a greater network of churches called Charis (links with Grace Brethren). EPEVC has a strong and dynamic youth presence. Because of its central location in the region, many students, married couples, singles, and families worship there. A cyclical phenomenon has also been noticed: as families grow, they move out of the city. This has been the drive for church planting, but as youth groups can be harder to organize in smaller and new church plants, EPEVC generally remains the church where families send their children for youth gatherings. As they grow up to become students, they often leave home and move down to Lyon and maintain links with EPEVC. That is where these youth and young adult groups come in. Ben and Danni want to labor so that the youth may continue to hear, understand, and be transformed by the living word of God so that they themselves may become disciples wherever they go. They also serve with another association with Steve Marshall (one of the missionaries that serves at EPEVC) in the neighboring city of Bron with a majority Muslim youth. For several years this association has been serving with weekly sport activities, bi-annual weekend trips, and annual summer camps. Though the children are of either Muslim or Atheist backgrounds, the Gospel is proclaimed during the summer camp and weekend trips. Pray with Ben and Danni to see these children one day make a decision to follow Christ.

How will your giving help them?

They are currently supported through Steve Marshall’s mission for what was a temporary internship and discovery into ministry life. This support ends at the end of 2025. In January, their local church will partially support Ben and Danni’s family, though they cannot support them completely. Your support would help with that gap so that they can continue serving in Lyon (they also plan on growing their family!). Ben will also begin his MDiv studies in 2026 for which he will be paying (specifics to come).

Their monthly need: 1,500 €

Thank you for considering supporting Ben, Danni, and little baby Jeanne-Evangeline in Lyon, helping the spread of the Gospel towards the youth of the Lyon region.

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