Seminary at Aix seminarians As part of the commitment to global outreach, some of the funds raised during the campaign will be contributed to the endowment for the Dr. James M. Boice Chair of Practical Theology at the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence. William Edgar, professor of apologetics at the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence from 1979-1989 and current professor at Westminster Theological Seminary, recently provided me with some history and news from the Seminary at Aix, including the impact it’s having on the spread of the Gospel in France. As I read, I was struck by how the history of Tenth is intertwined with that of the Seminary at Aix. It’s exciting to think how this longstanding relationship will be continued through the campaign. We will have the opportunity to hear more about the Seminary at Aix in the services on February 17 when a guest from the seminary will be visiting us.
St-Quentin is a growing suburb of Paris. Although some inhabitants are commuters, most live and work right there. The town has excellent schools and cultural activities. Twenty years ago a group of dedicated church planters, studied the demographic trends and concluded that the real population growth was in these hamlets, neighboring the large cities. They took note of the Renault car company’s plan to locate their technology center there, alongside many other new French enterprises. Thus, a new church was born. Between January, 1990, the date of their first worship service, and today, there has been significant growth in the town and in the church. Today, they are a thriving community. Their strengths include, preaching, pastoral care, outreach to the surrounding population, foreign missions, and evangelism. Much of the early development in the church can be credited to the work of Gérard Bos, the dynamic pioneer who tirelessly preached the gospel and gathered leaders around him. Where did he train? Aix-en-Provence. As did his successors, Yannick Imbert, an interim, and Marc Toureille, the current pastor.
The Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence was originally founded just before World War Two, with the considerable help of Donald G. Barnhouse of Tenth Presbyterian Church. Dr. Barnhouse preached regularly in France and was able to help purchase the property on which it now stands. In 1974 the Seminary changed its charter and became an independent, confessional institution. The purpose was and is to train gospel ministers, as well as other leaders in Kingdom work. Originally the hope was to revitalize the Reformed Church of France with evangelical leadership. While that still remains a goal, today the Seminary has a broader purpose, namely to train leaders both for church renewal and for church planting. Through the James Montgomery Boice Chair of Practical Theology, an endowed chair whose occupant, Frédéric Hammann is currently visiting the United States, the Seminary is assured of an enduring program not only to train leaders but to reflect on the whole endeavor of starting new churches. Targeting mostly urban areas in France and throughout Europe, the Seminary is aiming for nothing less than a European renaissance.
Though relatively small, with six full time professors and about 100 students, like the children’s story, this is the little Seminary that could! Its brilliant professors speak all over the world. They write books and articles that are unique and strategic. They not only teach but pastor the students through their years at Aix. The student body is French, but also international, with Africans, Spaniards, and even Koreans. When I was there in the 1980s we had a Waldensian student from the remarkable movement begun in the 12th century and eventually led by Peter Waldo. Persecuted, they survived till the 16th century when they embraced the Reformation. There are still numerous Waldensian churches in Southern France and in Italy.
The Seminary at Aix is the only historically orthodox Reformed institution of higher learning in the French-speaking world. It is a great testimony to the God who loves taking small things and using them for great achievements. Whether it be David’s sling shot, the widow’s mite, the ineloquent apostle, the Lord enjoys showing his power through weakness. The Seminary at Aix is fragile but has been a seedbed, producing some of the most important leaders in the church today. It is a privilege to partner with them in their marvelous mission.
St-Quentin is a growing suburb of Paris. Although some inhabitants are commuters, most live and work right there. The town has excellent schools and cultural activities. Twenty years ago a group of dedicated church planters, studied the demographic trends and concluded that the real population growth was in these hamlets, neighboring the large cities. They took note of the Renault car company’s plan to locate their technology center there, alongside many other new French enterprises. Thus, a new church was born. Between January, 1990, the date of their first worship service, and today, there has been significant growth in the town and in the church. Today, they are a thriving community. Their strengths include, preaching, pastoral care, outreach to the surrounding population, foreign missions, and evangelism. Much of the early development in the church can be credited to the work of Gérard Bos, the dynamic pioneer who tirelessly preached the gospel and gathered leaders around him. Where did he train? Aix-en-Provence. As did his successors, Yannick Imbert, an interim, and Marc Toureille, the current pastor.
The Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence was originally founded just before World War Two, with the considerable help of Donald G. Barnhouse of Tenth Presbyterian Church. Dr. Barnhouse preached regularly in France and was able to help purchase the property on which it now stands. In 1974 the Seminary changed its charter and became an independent, confessional institution. The purpose was and is to train gospel ministers, as well as other leaders in Kingdom work. Originally the hope was to revitalize the Reformed Church of France with evangelical leadership. While that still remains a goal, today the Seminary has a broader purpose, namely to train leaders both for church renewal and for church planting. Through the James Montgomery Boice Chair of Practical Theology, an endowed chair whose occupant, Frédéric Hammann is currently visiting the United States, the Seminary is assured of an enduring program not only to train leaders but to reflect on the whole endeavor of starting new churches. Targeting mostly urban areas in France and throughout Europe, the Seminary is aiming for nothing less than a European renaissance.
Though relatively small, with six full time professors and about 100 students, like the children’s story, this is the little Seminary that could! Its brilliant professors speak all over the world. They write books and articles that are unique and strategic. They not only teach but pastor the students through their years at Aix. The student body is French, but also international, with Africans, Spaniards, and even Koreans. When I was there in the 1980s we had a Waldensian student from the remarkable movement begun in the 12th century and eventually led by Peter Waldo. Persecuted, they survived till the 16th century when they embraced the Reformation. There are still numerous Waldensian churches in Southern France and in Italy.
The Seminary at Aix is the only historically orthodox Reformed institution of higher learning in the French-speaking world. It is a great testimony to the God who loves taking small things and using them for great achievements. Whether it be David’s sling shot, the widow’s mite, the ineloquent apostle, the Lord enjoys showing his power through weakness. The Seminary at Aix is fragile but has been a seedbed, producing some of the most important leaders in the church today. It is a privilege to partner with them in their marvelous mission.
Pictured is Nelly Vos, a Tenth Member and supported global partner, who is involved with student recruitment at the Seminary.
Library at Seminary at Aix
