GBL worker Cédriane Prohin shares about her role
[Note from Paul Cooke: thanks to the generosity of supporters, FM has been supporting a couple of workers in the GBU (Christian student work) this year. Cédriane is one of them; she works as the co-ordinator for tertiary college students (Groupes Bibliques Lycéens or GBL) in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.]
In France, there are no RE classes in state tertiary colleges. The Bible is presented as a foundational text alongside Greek myths, and requests to create official Bible clubs are denied. Teachers, as representatives of the state and its neutrality, are not allowed to share their personal beliefs.
But students can talk about whatever they want amongst themselves! Sharing their beliefs is even an opportunity for them to exercise their freedom of expression, as enshrined in the French Education Code. Thus, it’s the students themselves who can share the good news of the gospel.
My job, therefore, is to encourage and train them to be missionaries in their colleges. First, to tell them that it’s possible to talk about what they believe and to read the Bible with their friends, and then to train and support them so they can live it out. Thus, in addition to allowing students to discover the gospel, the GBLs offer Christian students the opportunity and space to reflect on their faith and take a stand on their convictions, to experience mission work, to explore the Bible, to be mentored, and to meet other Christian students motivated to experience the Church in a very special way. This is what we saw, for example, at the GBL weekend, where the students were happy to get together, to welcome newcomers, and where we heard them discussing naturally – even with the invited non-Christians – the Word of God, the GBLs, and their testimonies.
Currently, there is only one active GBL in my region, but there are six participants at each meeting. Please pray that I have opportunities to meet and encourage more college students, and that they will dare to take the plunge and create their own GBL!
