Dear Friends,
We were pleased to announce at the AGM that we will be supporting Jim and Tanja French and their family as they go to do mission in Spain with CMS.
Here is some more information about Jim and Tanja….
Jim and Tanja are seeking to serve in theological education in Spain. While the majority of Spanish people identify as Christians, for many this is more about culture than conviction. They have no personal relationship with Jesus. Many described themselves as ‘non-practicing’ and have no contact with the church. A growing number are rejecting the church completely. The small evangelical church in Spain is in desperate need for Christian pastors who are trained to teach God’s Word and equip others. They are excited about the possibility of serving in Spain through theological education and training.
“We (Tanja & Jim) met and married in Spain. We have a daughter Evie (b. 2009) and a son Silas (b. 2010). As a family, we are actively involved at Bulli Anglican Church in Northern Wollongong. Tanja has been involved in Playgroup, Women’s Bible Study, Crèche, teaching and coordinating SRE and is on the missionary support committee. Jim regularly preaches, leads the gatherings, and leads a weekly Men’s Growth Group. The children are active participants in church, kid’s church and kid’s club and they bring their friends along.
Tanja was born in Germany and converted at 16. With an interest in overseas development work, her Christian faith moved her interest toward mission work. She became convinced that knowing Jesus changes hearts and can change societies. After completing school Tanja began a traineeship in banking in Spain and joined a church plant in Madrid. She then completed theological study in the US before returning to Spain to serve with a German Mission organisation in church planting, children, youth and women’s ministry.
Jim is an electrician by trade and studied full time ministry at Moore Theological College, Sydney (1992-94). He served in parish ministry for 13 years before moving back to Sydney to work with Anglican Youthworks College. For the past 11 years Jim has lectured in OT, NT and Ministry subjects and more recently served in the role of Vice Principal. Prior to Youthworks College, Jim spent a year as short-term missionary in Spain.
Evie and Silas are a great blessing to our family with their different personalities. Both children are being raised bi-lingual and enjoy different cultures and countries. Evie is very social and enjoys singing, playing keyboard and speaking in public but also quietly reading books. Silas is social and quietly confident. He works hard at reading and swimming, but his great passion is the ‘world game’: Soccer! Both children enjoy bike riding, circus (fun gymnastics) and friends.
After prayerful consideration, we trust that God has suitably positioned us to do cross-cultural mission as a family. We believe God has prepared us for a place like Spain, given our backgrounds, experience and personalities. We’re excited at the possibility to be doing in Spain what we are doing here: training & equipping, leading & learning, mission & discipleship, church planting & growing people so that they too can do what we do.”
In February 2018, Jim and Tanja French began their 6 months training at St Andrew’s Hall. They will spend the rest of the year building relationships with their link churches and partners before going overseas early 2019. We are excited to be partnering with them as they seek to serve and encourage God’s church in Spain?
Jim and Tanja will be visiting us from 4th November and we look forward to sharing the week with them.
In Christ,
Nigel