We began by identifying seven distinct people groups from across the world. Each group represented unique cultures, languages, and regions that we believed God could be calling us to serve. As we prayed over these groups, we asked for clarity, wisdom, and confirmation about which nation or people we were meant to focus our mission efforts on. Each group held potential and need, but we knew that the Holy Spirit would lead us to the right one.

As we continued to pray and seek God’s will, it became increasingly clear that the French people were the group we were being called to reach. This was not a decision made lightly, nor based on human reasoning alone. It was the Holy Spirit who guided us to this conclusion, highlighting the deep spiritual needs in France and the unique opportunity for the gospel to make an impact there.

The decision to focus on the French people was unexpected for some of us. France, known for its rich history and cultural influence, is often seen as a modern and secular nation. However, beneath this surface lies a growing spiritual hunger and an openness to the transformative message of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit impressed upon our hearts that the French people, despite their complex relationship with faith, were ready for a fresh movement of God.

The Changing Spiritual Landscape of France

In recent years, France has experienced significant shifts in its spiritual and religious landscape. A growing secularism, an increasing fascination with the occult, and the remarkable rise of evangelical Christianity are reshaping the nation’s religious identity. Let’s dive into some key trends that illustrate these changes.

Secularism on the Rise

France has long been recognized for its secularism, and recent statistics highlight this reality more than ever. Over 53% of the population now identifies as having no religion, a striking increase from 45% in 2009, particularly among those aged 18 to 49. This shift signals a dramatic transformation in the younger generation’s relationship with faith and organized religion.

Even among those who identify with a religion, regular worship attendance remains low. For example, only 8% of Catholics regularly attend church. In contrast, just over 20% of other Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists report attending worship regularly, while 34% of Jews actively participate in religious services.

Additionally, the role of the Bible in French households continues to diminish. A staggering 69% of the population does not own a Bible, further emphasizing the decline of traditional Christian practices.

The Growing Influence of Islam and Other Christian Denominations

Despite the rise of secularism, Catholicism remains the largest religion in France, with 29% of the population identifying as Catholic. However, Islam is seeing significant growth, now representing 10% of the population, making France home to the largest Muslim community in Europe. Other Christian groups, such as Protestant and evangelical churches, are also on the rise, now accounting for 9% of the population.

Religious identity in France is still heavily influenced by family upbringing. Among those raised in Muslim families, 91% continue to practice Islam into adulthood, while 84% of Jewish individuals maintain their faith. Among Catholics and other Christians, religious continuity is lower, with 67% of Catholics and 69% of other Christians holding on to their faith.

A Surge in the Occult and Parascience

While traditional religious adherence is waning, there is a growing fascination with the occult and paranormal sciences. According to a 2020 study, 58% of the French population believes in at least one parascience discipline, such as:

• Astrology (41%)
• Palmistry (29%)
• Witchcraft (28%)
• Clairvoyance (26%)
• Numerology (26%)
• Fortune-telling (23%)

These beliefs have been steadily increasing over the past 20 years. For instance, belief in astrology has surged by 8 points since 2000, with 41% of the population now believing in it. Similarly, 26% of French people have consulted a specialist in one of these practices at least once in their lives.

The rise of occult practices is further underscored by the sheer number of mediums in France—100,000—compared to just 2,500 pastors. In fact, there are 40 mediums for every pastor, and the French spend an astonishing 4 billion EUR annually on spiritism-related activities.

The Remarkable Growth of Evangelical Christianity

While secularism and occultism rise, a quiet but powerful movement is taking place within evangelical Christianity. In just 70 years, the number of evangelicals in France has multiplied nearly 15 times!

Evangelicals have become the dominant force within French Protestantism, making up three-quarters of regular Protestant churchgoers and leading the establishment of new churches. This growth is not confined to major urban centers; it is happening in towns and villages across the country.

Currently, there is about one Evangelical Protestant church for every 25,000 people in France. However, the National Council of French Evangelicals has set an ambitious goal to reduce this ratio to one church per 10,000 people.

A New Chapter for France’s Spiritual Future

The spiritual landscape of France is evolving rapidly. As secularization spreads and the occult rises in popularity, evangelical Christianity is experiencing unprecedented growth. This spiritual movement represents a new chapter for France, one filled with opportunity for the gospel to take root and flourish in every corner of the country. With God’s guidance, the evangelical movement in France continues to grow and shape the future of faith in the nation.

Let’s praise God for this movement, and continue to pray for France as we witness the power of the gospel at work in transforming hearts and lives.

France, known for its stunning church buildings, is a country where many of these structures now stand mostly empty, viewed as historical landmarks rather than active places of worship. While the majority of French people still identify as non-practicing Catholics, the most widely practiced religion is now Islam. Yet, in the midst of this spiritual decline, Paul and Kerri Daniels see a significant opportunity for renewal and hope.

Recent events, such as terrorist attacks, the Yellow Vest protests, and the devastating fire at Notre Dame, have caused many in France to question life’s deeper meaning and purpose. As a result, more and more people are re-examining their spiritual beliefs and looking again to Jesus Christ for answers.

This is why Paul and Kerri have chosen to serve as missionaries in France. They are partnering with Poitiers Christian Church to plant simple house churches throughout the city and the surrounding region. These house churches provide a space for meaningful connections and spiritual growth, offering a fresh approach to spreading the gospel in a country where traditional religious practices have faded.

The Daniels are using the Zúme Project, a discipleship and church-planting initiative, to equip every believer with the tools to make disciples. Their prayer is for each believer to be trained in evangelism, discipleship, and multiplying leaders through methods such as Three Thirds or Discovery Bible Studies. This approach is designed to create self-sustaining, reproducible communities of faith.

Additionally, they are focusing on the 25,000 university students who come to Poitiers each year to study. Paul and Kerri hope to disciple these young people, empowering them to start new churches wherever they go after graduation, both throughout France and beyond. By investing in this next generation of leaders, they believe they can ignite a movement that will spread the gospel and bring spiritual revival to France.

Paul and Kerri Daniels are committed to bringing hope and transformation to a country that is increasingly searching for spiritual truth. Through their mission work, they are helping to plant the seeds of faith that could grow into a widespread movement for Christ.