Au Revoir Francis Dognon

Today was Francis Dognon's last Sunday at our church. He preached, sharing a combination of his testimony and some thoughts on serving God and serving others. He is so well loved at the church that he could have preached on ceremonial law in Leviticus and it would have been appreciated. I've translated his testimony many times from French into English, so I already knew that part well. But it still was refreshing to hear it. For Francis' life and ministry has been a model of service to the church, as well as beyond its borders. The message of his life and his words were and are coherent.

I've worked closely with Francis and Diane for the last 5 years, first with the Alpha Course, then with Mission Radicale. I've seen them rise up early and go to bed late in the course of trying to raise up and liberate a new generation ready to reach out to their generation. He's worked hard trying to raise funds for Mission Radicale by both traditional fund-raising means, as well as by selling meals and drinks at major events.

He has dedicated both our children. I think that he was at his best during weddings and baby dedications. He was so natural with kids, especially since he has 4 of his own. As a father of young children, he could empathize with us, first before we could have children, then after they arrived. He wasn't fazed by children's making hoise or running around during his messages.

He represented so many different "people groups" at the church: children, youth, couples, families, the artistic, the outward-focused, etc. While I disagreed occasionally with him on a few things, I definitely felt an affinity in that we were going in the same direction on what's most on my heart, particularly the artistic and the youth. He had and has great faith than I do in some areas. During staff meetings, I often saw him as the voice of reason (or at least, my perspective). He remembered people's faces and names and could identify with nearly anyone.

The door to Francis' office was usually open. He shared it with me often when I was doing Mission Radicale or church work in the offices. It was often filled with lightness and laughter. People felt free to come by. It's sad to see it closed (and probably locked with a key) now. Hopefully, this closed door isn't a picture of things to come at Belleville.

It was surrealistic to be at the farewell service. I'm still in denial in some ways that he won't be present at Belleville after today. We have our first weekly staff meeting of the year this Thursday. It will be strange without him or Clive Sampson around.

During a meeting with Russ Hughes at the recent Mission Radicale conference, he asked me if I believe that one's spiritual (and ministry) destiny is tied with a particular person. For the time being, I don't believe that our ministry destiny is tied with going to Normandy with them. For our call to Paris is still present. However, those with whom we align ministry-wise for this coming year, as well as beyond, is less clear than it has been the past 5 years with the Dognons in Paris. For they have been the principal French national workers whom we have tried to make successful.

It should be in interesting period to see the process of God's ministry direction this next season. When we arrived at Belleville 5 years ago, we didn't have much direction, except my desire to work with Francis. Now, one primary desire is for arts ministry and to support Jim Beise and la Fonderie.