Aaron & Nanette Koepp

Welcome!  We are Aaron and Nanette Koepp and we have been missionaries since 2005.  Our family has a heart for pioneer missions.  Our children are Sonora (born in Fes, Morocco), Sahara (born in Waxahachie, TX), Savana (born in Cairo, Egypt) and Samuel (born in Paris, France) and they love to travel and help us spread the love of Jesus wherever we are called.  

Background

During our missions work, God has allowed us to:

1). Host Convoy of Hope events in Morocco

2). Help establish a training center for Live Dead Arab World in Egypt

3). Build bridges between the French church and the Muslim community in Paris, France by planting an Arabic church.  

Now we are combining all that experience for a new project in Aix-en-Provence, in southern France!

Post-church

France has a bloody, religious history where politics and power ruled ruthlessly for centuries, killing, oppressing, and looting in the name of the church.  Sadly, the only “Christianity” most French people know is as empty and hollow as the ancient cathedrals that dot the countryside.  To them, religion is a relic of the past and they would no more step into a church to meet their spiritual needs than they would buy a horse and buggy for transportation.  These people are “post-church.”

WW2 Chaplain

One of the ways we are "the Church" is through our WW2 chaplaincy ministry. France has not forgotten what our American WW2 veterans did and there are 100s of commemorations services each year. As a chaplain participating in the reenactment camps and remembrance ceremonies, I am expected to preach and minister...because this is what WW2 chaplains did.  

Aix-en-Provence

How do we reach people that are “post-church”?  In Aix-en-Provence, God is drawing hearts towards Him to do things in a new way.  They want to BE the local church, not just GO to church; and their enthusiasm is drawing people into a real relationship with Jesus…outside of the church building.

Our task in our hometown in Aix is to encourage people on their spiritual journey and to provide a network for these house churches as they continue to grow and attract the post-church French.   This includes providing training for home group hosts, structuring discussion groups, and hosting cultural events that trigger spiritual interest. 

Do you have people in your life that are “post-church” or “anti-church”?  Tell us about  your experience…you are not alone!  We are on this journey together, and we need each other to reach the goal! 

Aaron and Nanette KOEPP