Why a coffee house in Strasbourg became Dan’s home-from-home

Why a coffee house in Strasbourg became Dan’s home-from-home

A community-centred café in Strasbourg last year became a home-from-home for one Birmingham student.

France Mission, an exhibitor in Mission on the Map at CRE Midlands 23, helps UK students find a French church where they can worship and/or serve during a year abroad. Under the scheme, Dan Rees went to Strasbourg.

‘In September 2022 I moved to the city to help out with the day-to-day activities of a church there,’ said Dan, a student at the University of Birmingham. ‘I saw God’s provision for me clearly and it was a joy to have fellowship with God’s people in another country, witnessing first-hand how he’s working there.’

Each Sunday, the church met in a hospital chapel where Dan played the piano.

‘I also enjoyed their home groups (called Living Rooms) and was part of a life group with three other men where we discussed God’s work in our lives and prayed for each other,’ said Dan.

The church runs Oh My Goodness! a community-centred café where members care for and develop links with local people.

‘This is done through providing coffee and food for homeless people,’ explained Dan. ‘There are various workshops and events throughout the week, including a community gospel choir which I accompanied on the piano. I was blessed to get to know many Christians and non-Christians through volunteering in the café three afternoons every week and am thankful for the opportunities it gave me to share the Gospel. Now that I’m back in Birmingham, my prayer is that God will continue to bless the work in Strasbourg.’

You can find out more of the work of France Mission in Mission on the Map at CRE Midlands 23.

• France Mission are on stand DS17 at CRE Midlands 23

Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3

Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)

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