Bienvenue à Hillsong Paris

I really loved the Bridge, the church I attended last semester, but I was really struggling to get to church regularly because of the 45 minutes to an hour distance I traveled to get there. So, I decided to attend a new church in Paris which I had heard about. It is a church connected to the Christian group Hillsong United—it is called Hillsong Paris. It was an experience unlike any I have had in Paris. The service is bilingual so there is live translation on stage. Worship songs were half in French, half in English. I think the most bizarre part to me was seeing so many French people with their hands raised in worship in the exact same way I am accustomed to people doing at home worship services. Additionally, the church was packed, filled with young and middle aged French people. It has been said that Europe is the “dark continent” which has turned its back on the church over the past century. From my experiences last semester I really felt that way about many of the people I encountered in Europe and specifically in France. So, it was shocking and exciting to see so many French people excited to praise God. At times I felt like I was back at Crescent Lake Bible Camp, as I could see the high school students jumping and clapping during some of the songs. It is really amazing how the message of the Gospel can transcend boundaries, even cultural boundaries which have been built up over generations. Seeing over 300 people praising God in two languages in the heart of the city where beauty means everything was moving. For a part of the service I forgot where I was, but I was quickly reminded that I am still in France when it came time to leave. “Pardons” and “Excusez-mois” could be heard all around, everyone’s outfits perfectly were styled, and of course goodbye cheek kisses were given rather than American hugs.