Thirty Alabama youth experienced the more difficult side of ministry during a recent mission trip to Joigny, France. The team, led by District Youth Director Greg Kelley, performed puppet shows and human videos at local schools and directed drama workshops for students. They also conducted street evangelism to help a local pastor spread the news about a new church in the small town located two hours south of Paris.

Consequently, 15 new people attend the church and five accepted Christ as Savior. But the results did not come without a price.

During a human video based on John 10:10 performed in front of hundreds of high school students, several youths began heckling the team. Before long, the rowdy French students began hurling rocks and bottles at the team. The Alabama group insisted on finishing.

You could feel the intensity of the crowd, says Zack Killcreas, 20, who sustained a cut to his chin from a thrown rock while portraying Jesus.

Finishing the drama despite the attack impacted the French students.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the community, Kelley says. They were amazed that our students cared so much about what they were doing and about the people that they did not stop or retaliate.

For the drama team, retaliation was not an option.

After being hit, compassion was there, Killcreas says. If I have that little bit of compassion for them rejecting me, how much greater the compassion God has for us every time we reject Him?

Isaac Olivarez
Today's Pentecostal Evangel
World Missions Edition, January 4, 2004


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	France: AIM team ministers despite detractors
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Thirty Alabama youth experienced the more difficult side of ministry during a recent mission trip to Joigny, France. The team, led by District Youth Director Greg Kelley, performed puppet shows and human videos at local schools and directed drama workshops for students. They also conducted street evangelism to help a local pastor spread the news about a new church in the small town located two hours south of Paris. Consequently, 15 new people attend the church and five accepted Christ as Savior. But the results did not come without a price. During a human video based on John 10:10 performed in front of hundreds of high school students, several youths began heckling the team. Before long, the rowdy French students began hurling rocks and bottles at the team. The Alabama group insisted on finishing. You could feel the intensity of the crowd, says Zack Killcreas, 20, who sustained a cut to his chin from a thrown rock while portraying Jesus. Finishing the drama despite the attack impacted the French students. The news spread like wildfire throughout the community, Kelley says. They were amazed that our students cared so much about what they were doing and about the people that they did not stop or retaliate. For the drama team, retaliation was not an option. After being hit, compassion was there, Killcreas says. If I have that little bit of compassion for them rejecting me, how much greater the compassion God has for us every time we reject Him? Isaac Olivarez Today's Pentecostal Evangel World Missions Edition, January 4, 2004
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