Despite recent tensions, the history of French-American relations is strong. This is particularly true in Kingdom work. As an outstanding example of that, the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence was created in no small measure because of American encouragement.

Donald Barnhouse, the dynamic pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church, loved France, and went there regularly with his family. When it became clear that a confessing Reformed denomination was needed, he was there to help it become a reality. He preached for the EREI (Église Réformée Évangélique Indépendante) regularly. He also secured the purchase of a lovely property in the middle of the University of Aix-en-Provence, which was to be used for a new theological seminary. That was in 1939.

In the late 1950s James Boice came to France as a young man. He spent a summer with a pastor's family and visited the Seminary at Aix-en-Provence. In 1981 he and his wife Linda, visiting missionaries in France, made a special trip to to check on the Reformed Seminary. By that time Dr. Boice was vice-president of the Huguenot Fellowship, which exists to help support Reformed and evangelical works in the French-speaking world. Its first president, Edmund Clowney, was one of those who helped put the Seminary onto a new footing in 1974. This school remains the only Reformed seminary in Francophone Europe.

Together with the Reformed Seminary we believe that an endowed faculty position in Practical Theology is strongly needed in Aix-en-Provence. And so the Huguenot Fellowship has launched the James Montgomery Boice Chair of Practical Theology at the Reformed Seminary. It is our conviction that church planting is the top priority in the French-speaking world. This teaching will show students by precept, example and practical experience how to carry out the task. Frédéric Hamman becomes the first occupant of the Chair in October, 2004. He comes with superb qualifications for the job.

This undertaking is huge. We need to raise $750,000 in order to reach our goal. We have had good encouragement along the way. But we have a long way to go. Would you consider helping us? If you would like to support the James Montgomery Boice Chair of Practical Theology, please call 215.546.3696, Monday-Friday 9:00-4:30 ET.