Featured Ministry

This month, we are featuring Agape Mosaique’s REFUGEE Project

Since 2009, Agapé Mosaïque has spread the good news of faith in Jesus Christ in France in partnership with movements and churches that are of the Evangelical-Protestant confession and more simply, those who call themselves disciples of Christ.

Vision: The vision of Agapé Mosaïque is to give every Muslim in France and in Europe the opportunity to know Jesus Christ.

Mission: Agapé Mosaïque aims to create and support a self-replicating evangelism and discipleship movement focused on Muslims in Europe.

The Refugee Project

PROJECT SUMMARY
Thousands of Muslim refugees are coming to France mainly from Iraq and Syria. After having lived through difficult situations to escape hunger, war, and other dangerous circumstances; they are arriving hungry and discouraged. The highest concentration of refugees can be found in the larger cities – mostly Paris, Lille, Toulouse, and Lyon.

Through its network and strategic relationships, Agape Mosaïque is one of the best-positioned ministries in France to assist in this pressing matter.

We are seeking to raise $185,000 (162.000 €) in order to provide material and spiritual assistance to these groups. We believe this is a unique opportunity to show love and charity in a concrete way and reach thousands with the Gospel.

Click here to make your contribution now!
A gift of any amount will help!

THE NEED AND THE PLAN

Provide spiritual and material assistance to refugees coming to France by:
– Distributing New Testaments (in Arabic), the Jesus Film, books for children, and other Christian literature.
– Host meals, which will be discovery Bible studies.
– Provide tents, blankets, first aid kits, and non-perishable food items.
– Host outreach events

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Refugee situation in Europe: According to a 2015 UNHCR report, the number of asylum applications received in 2014 in the European Union (EU) Member States, has risen by 25 per cent compared to the same period in 2013. A quarter of the applicants are of Afghan, Eritrean or Syrian origin. There have also been reported more asylum applications from stateless people, estimating a total of 436,000 people across the European Union. Germany continues to be the recipient of the largest number of asylum applications, followed by France, Sweden, Italy and the United Kingdom. In the first seven months of 2014, more than 87,000 people arrived in Italy by sea, mainly from Eritrea and the Syrian Arab Republic (Syria).

Thousands of Muslim refugees are coming to France mainly from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Eritrea. There are also other nationalities in the mix, such as Iranians and Libyans. They are moving through terrifying conditions and enduring great hardships only to be able to reach our nation. Based on a 2014 UNHCR report, France currently hosts 309,414 people considered “Population of concern”- a number comprised of refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons. From this total, 252,264 are considered refugees.

On September 7th, France and Britain offered haven to a combined 44,000 migrants in a measure taken to ameliorate one of the worst migration crises since World War II. France will be accepting 24,000 migrants over a two-year period. President Hollande’s decision was in response to France’s duty to help people who are fleeing war. He also made the following statement, “Chancellor Angela Merkel and I, have agreed on a system to more equally spread the load, as for the moment Germany has been absorbing most of the burden in addressing the refugee crisis.” (USAToday online article)

Following President Hollande’s new refugee policy, the domestic political scenario resulted in a division of the French right, as well as civilian unrest in welcoming more refugees and asylum seekers.

Statements in favor and against this new policy have been echoing in the national political scenario. Some Mayors from the conservative parties, agreed to cooperate in helping insure a smooth welcome to the refugees Hollande has pledged to take in. Despite voicing support to Hollande’s refugee new policy, other Mayors from the conservative parties have also issued remarks denoting a hesitation to welcoming all groups of people. The Mayor of Roanne recently stated, “his city of 45,000 situated 50 miles north-west of Lyon, was ready to accept about a dozen families but would prioritize ‘Christian’ ones. That would avoid Muslim terrorists coming in under the disguise of political exiles.” (POLITICO online article)

His statements were echoed by other conservative Mayors, who were denounced by human rights activists as playing to French prejudices against immigrants from Muslim countries. In conclusion, France appears to be divided on such a pressing question, whether to allow more refugees in the country or not.

According to recent polls, only 53% of the population is in favor of allowing refugees into France. We believe that the social climate in the nation will be an important factor to consider, in the implementation of President Hollande’s new refugee policy. Moreover, the aid work provided by non-profit organizations and other civil society groups, will not only require satisfying material needs, but they will need support in building conflict resolution capabilities to help bridge the gap of intolerance, misconceptions and fear from French citizens towards refugee groups (specially Muslim refugees), and vice-versa.

Therefore, reconciliation and peace efforts will be an essential key to successfully tackling the refugee crisis in France, and a ministry such as Agape Mosaïque is able to strategically bring aid in this context and, most importantly, do so in the name of Jesus.

AGAPE MOSAIQUE’S ROLE

Through its network comprised of churches, ministries, pastors and lay leaders who are trained in ministering to Muslims, AM is one of the best positioned ministries in France to assist in bringing material and spiritual support to these groups. Despite already having a full slate of scheduled projects, they feel a pressing need (and opportunity through this need) within this population not only to bring aid (Lev. 19:33) but the Gospel to those in spiritual bondage to Islam. Through treating them with dignity – and not as a threat – we believe this is a unique opportunity to show His love and charity in a concrete way.

AM is collaborating with churches in Dunkerque and Reims, as well as a group in Lille. Through these groups on-site, and using the training center personnel in Paris, Rouen, and Lille, AM will organize ongoing outreach events. These events will help us to, love and care for these groups in a more tangible way, and introduce them to the Gospel, a gospel of love, peace and reconciliation.

Through sharing who Jesus Christ is by being witnesses before witnessing, we can help bridge the gap of misconceptions and mistrust for our new Muslim guests towards Christians. Moreover, through this endeavor we will continue to learn how to better reach these groups and meet them where they are in their physical, spiritual and emotional needs. The acquired expertise can enrich the project and render more effective its implementation. AM, after many years of experience, has laid a strong foundation in this area through training and equipping people in how to share the heart of God to Muslims, understanding the Muslim mentality, and demystifying the approach of the Muslim.

Viewed articles and reports:
UNHCR report: http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/page?page=49e48e571e

USAtoday article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/09/07/europe-refugees-migrantsgermany/71833332/

POLITICO online article: http://www.politico.eu/article/europe-refugee-crisis-hollande-refugee-policy-divides-frenchright-paris/

L’Express France: http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/societe/les-francais-desormais-majoritairement-pour-l-accueildes-migrants-selon-un-sondage_1714168.html.

ESTIMATED BUDGET

Non-perishable food items – 35,000 €
Blankets and tents – 20,000 €
Transportation – 15,000 €
Medicines – 10,000 €
Books (NT, Christian literature) 50,000 €
Lodging – 10,000 €
Rent – 12,000 €
Miscellaneous – 10,000 €
Total budget 162,000 €

Please support this Project, by clicking here now!

If you wish to make a gift by check, please send it to:

Impact France
1100 Peachtree Street, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30309
Memo: Refugee Project

For gifts of stock or other appreciated assets, please contact us at:
info@impactfrance.org