Pioneer Ministry in the Aude

Pioneer Ministry in the Aude

The Aude department in Southern France is located between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees Mountains and named after the river Aude. It is also locally known as “Cathar Country” after a persecuted religious group in the 12th to 14th centuries. It has a population of around 400,000 with Carcassonne, Limoux and Narbonne being the main cities, although it is predominantly rural.

 

The High Valley in Aude is a beautiful region with impressive landscapes: green hills and higher mountains. There are also vineyards, agriculture and cattle-breeding. However, there is also much spiritual darkness and emptiness. It is one of the poorest regions of France, with high unemployment. There are not many Christians and the little congregations are few and far between.

 

This area is attractive to people who are on a voyage looking for spiritual answers in their lives. There’s an interest in New Age philosophy, transcendental meditation, contact with the spiritual world and many consult spiritual healers. One mountain, the Pic de Bugarach, is well-known for reputed UFO sightings. Thousands of people came hoping to be saved when the end of the world was forecast in 2012. Rennes le Chateau, where the 'Da Vinci Code' started, is also a 'spiritual place'.

 

Announcing the gospel in a direct way can be difficult in France which is proud of its ‘laïcité’ (defense of secularism). This means that most evangelism is done through one-to-one conversations and practical projects.