The French Church
On October 4th, 1994 at Place du Salin in Toulouse, France, David Broussard gave his life to Christ and began attending the church now known as the Centre Evangélique des Pradettes. David spent the next nine months being discipled in the French Church. Upon his return to the United States, he found that most Americans had no idea that God was saving, healing, and delivering thousands of people in France. Many French churches were alive and vibrant – passionate communities of Jesus followers – but unknown to Americans.
After several years of serving in a local church in Pennsylvania, David met his wife Sophie during a trip back to Toulouse. They were married in 2001 and moved to the Washington, DC area where David worked in resource development for several nonprofits.
The Encounter
They returned to France in 2004 with their church in Maryland, Journey’s Crossing, to assist a small church in Poitiers with a Thanksgiving outreach. In setting up for the meal, one of the church members asked David what he did in the States. Upon hearing that he worked in development, she asked if he knew anyone who would like to support a Christian camp.
That conversation – and Americans’ general lack of knowledge of the French Church – stuck with him as he and Sophie traveled back to the southwest of France. It was praying on his brother-in-law’s terrace that God gave him the plan for Impact France – an organization that would share what God was doing in France, through the French, and provide ways to give to those ministries.
The Creation
In March of 2005, God began to connect David with others who shared this vision through the cover story in Christianity Today called The French Reconnection. The author put David into contact with the primary source for that article, André Pownall, who later became a founding board member and was instrumental in opening doors of opportunity and connections. Impact France (or, the Christian Community Foundation of France – its original name) was officially founded in June of 2005 and received its exempt status in November of 2006.
Since that time, the mission of Impact France has remained constant – mobilizing prayer and supporting the work of native French ministries. Being a bridge, a platform, and a connector to help Americans pray for and invest in the Kingdom in France.
The Pillars
We also want to honor those foundational board members on whose shoulders we stand: André Pownall, Jean-Marc Potenti, Mark Wilkinson, David Detert, and Tom Tannery. These friends and brothers imparted their wisdom, gave their time, and without whom Impact France would not exist. They invested prayer, funds, and compassionate pastoral guidance that continues to bear fruit today. If you’ve made it this far, take a moment and pray for each of them before leaving this page!
