Come, Holy Spirit | with Jean-Luc Sergent

I welcome Jean-Luc Sergent, a personal friend and Anglican priest with a heart for ministry in France, to share his journey of faith, unity, and hope in a secularized society. Jean-Luc shares insights on the cultural and religious landscapes of France in the last generation or so, emphasizing the importance of unity among Christians and the need for faith, love, and hope amidst challenges.

I invited Jean-Luc to specifically highlight a series of songs sourced from the original song "The Blessing," which emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic as a unifying force among Christians. The release of a new song in French, based on the ancient hymn "Veni Creator Spiritus", underscores the capacity of music to unite believers across cultural and linguistic boundaries, reflecting the universal impact of faith and worship. This is all happening this spring and summer, under the exciting news of the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

As an Anglican priest with a ministry rooted in both France and England, Jean-Luc Sergent brings a unique perspective to the challenges and opportunities in cross-cultural ministry. His journey from Paris to London, the influence of his wife's Catholic background on their faith, and his call to ministry at 35 reflect the interwoven experiences that have shaped his understanding of ministry amidst cultural diversity.

We discuss the importance of ecumenical unity between Protestants and Catholics in France as an essential step in bridging denominational divides and standing as a testament to the power of love and faith in a diversified faith landscape. This emphasis on cooperation highlights what happens when believers of different traditions come together to share a message of hope and love under the common banner of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Jean-Luc provides a glimpse into the cultural and religious dynamics in France, highlighting the declining percentage of practicing Catholics and evangelicals. This shift poses a significant challenge in a secularized society where the Christian faith has faced marginalization. In this context, it is essential to develop a commitment to fostering unity and cooperation in witnessing about the love of God.

Here are a few insights of wisdom I will take away from this conversation, and hope to learn to role-model better in the future:

-        Seek unity in faith, love, and hope, especially in a secularized society.

-        Embrace ecumenical unity between different Christian denominations for a greater witness of God's love.

-        Be open to transitions and callings in life that may lead to unexpected ministry opportunities.

-        Look for ways to create a positive impact in my community.

-        Welcome the influence of the Holy Spirit and seek to align with biblical and Christian principles.

-        Find inspiration and comfort in the Spirit of God, especially during challenging times.

-        Journey in faith, while respecting the history, culture, and language of different Christian traditions.

-        Ponder the significance of meaningful hymns and songs in providing consolation and blessings to others.

-        Value collaborative efforts and movements within the church for positive change and revival.

What about YOU? What did YOU take away from this conversation? I’d love to hear from you, so email us or DM us on social media! You have no idea how happy this would make me!

CONNECT WITH JEAN-LUC SERGENT THROUGH IMPACT FRANCE

Want to know more? Get involved?

Specifically with The Blessing France and Jean-Luc: https://impactfrance.org/benediction/

More about Impact France, an amazing ministry: https://impactfrance.org/

MORE ABOUT THE BLESSING FRANCE (“LA BENEDICTION FRANCE”)

La Bénédiction France wants people to encounter God and the unity of His people through music. Originally birthed from the 2020 pandemic lockdowns which popularized remote-ensemble worship music videos, La Bénédiction has continued to build on the spirit of its first project, the French version of “The Blessing”. The ministry has gone on to produce and release a video every year since then, and is producing its fifth in 2024. These exceptional-quality projects are not only a beautiful form of worship, but dismantle denominational barriers in the Christian world through the collaboration of talented singers and musicians from hundreds of churches and organizations. Accordingly, La Bénédiction lives out the calls of scripture to offer a sacrifice of praise to God (Heb 13:15) and to let Christian unity be a testimony to all (John 17:23).

La Bénédiction also offers musical, artistic and cultural training to all to develop their skills while promoting Christian values.

Finally, the ministry collaborates with other charitable and humanitarian organizations through service and organization of events to live out Christian principles of compassion and love of neighbor.

Your generosity will allow La Bénédiction to continue to expand on its mission, letting people meet God deeply through soul-moving music, and equipping His people to work in unity to advance the Gospel more fully.

Be sure to visit their YouTube channel to see all of their videos! Here: https://www.youtube.com/@LaBenedictionFrance

VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS | IN ENGLISH (as read by Stephanie during the episode)

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
Vouchsafe within our souls to rest;
Come with Thy grace and heav'nly aid
And fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

To Thee, the Comforter, we cry,
To Thee, the Gift of God Most High,
The Fount of life, the Fire of love,
The soul's Anointing from above.

The sev'n-fold gifts of grace are Thine,
O Finger of the Hand Divine;
True Promise of the Father Thou,
Who dost the tongue with speech endow.

Thy light to every thought impart
And shed Thy love in every heart;
The weakness of our mortal state
With deathless might invigorate.

Drive far away our wily Foe,
And Thine abiding peace bestow;
If Thou be our protecting Guide,
No evil can our steps betide.

Make Thou to us the Father known;
Teach us the eternal Son to own
And Thee, whose name we ever bless,
Of both the Spirit, to confess.

Praise we the Father and the Son
And Holy Spirit, with them One;
And may the Son on us bestow
The gifts that from the Spirit flow! Amen.

This song is a hymn to the Holy Spirit, composed by Rabanus Maurus in the 8th century. The text expresses gratitude for the Creator's visitation, inspiration, and protection of the soul.

About the original author of this hymn (written in Latin):

Rabanus Maurus (c. 776-856) or Hrabanus Magnentius Maurus, was born of noble parents at Mainz, and educated at Fulda and Tours under Alcuin, who is reputed to have given him the surname, Maurus, after the saint of that name. In 803, he became director of the school at the Benedictine Abbey at Fulda. He was ordained priest in 814, spending the following years in a pilgrimage to Palestine. In 822, he became Abbott at Fulda, retiring in 842. In 847, he became archbishop of Mainz. He died at Winkel on the Rhine, February 4, 856. This distinguished Carolingian poet-theologian wrote extensive biblical commentaries, the Encyclopaedic De Universo, De Institutione Clericorum, and other works which circulated widely during the Middle Ages.

Again, make sure to connect with Jean-Luc and the whole project. Be sure to visit their YouTube channel to see all of their videos! Here: https://www.youtube.com/@LaBenedictionFrance

We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.

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