In France, God has been expelled from school for over two centuries. But now, as the French celebrate Bastille Day, Christians are fighting back.
A new initiative spearheaded by CMS missionary Alison Colliss is challenging secularism's 200-year stranglehold on the school system.
University ministry has long been the target of Christian mission in France. A number of CMS missionaries share the gospel with French uni students through the Groupes Biblique Universitaires (GBU).
But what about the uni students' younger brothers and sisters?
Since the French Revolution of 1789, school has been a "religion-free zone', with Scripture teaching banned in almost all regions of France.
"Most French high school students have little opportunity to hear the gospel unless they know a Christian or have contact with a gospel-teaching church," Alison says.
"In many parts of France, both of these are unlikely.
"In Australia, high school students can hear the gospel through Scripture teaching and Inter-School Christian Fellowship [ISCF], which were very important for me as a young Christian. Both are endangered species in France."
In Lycee, where Alison works, the Clubs Biblique Lyceens (CBL, equivalent to ISCF) had met freely until the decision in recent years to ban meetings on school grounds.
"Some groups are soldiering on, but many others have disappeared," Alison says.
All this leaves most high schools with no Christian witness.
But new hope has emerged. When the school year begins in September, Alison will commence work with the French equivalent of Scripture Union (Ligue pour la Lecture de la Bible), which took the CBL under its wing some years ago.
"My role will be to look after the CBL groups in the city of Strasbourg, and perhaps in the future in the region of Alsace. I'll be seeking to encourage those students who are persevering in running groups, and equip them to continue being a witness to their school community."
Alison says the opportunity is both exciting and daunting.
"This job has never existed before. It will require wisdom and creativity, as the restrictions and obstacles are many.
"Praise God for those students who are trying to share the gospel with their friends, and pray for the many who are struggling to be Christian on their own.
"Pray for more workers among high school students. Alsace is only one small part of the country. It would be great to see high school ministry supported in the rest of France."
