Worldwide Prayer Meeting

Nov 6, 2024 | by Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee

Prayer Focus -

France & Belgium Territory

“I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted. The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. Who among the gods is like You, Lord? Who is like You— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:1, 2a, 11)

Prayer

O Lord, most blessed! I come to You today so very grateful to You that I don’t know where to begin. I know I would have never arrived to this spot without Your kindness over the years. You have sheltered me at times when I was aware of it but so many more times when I didn’t even know I was in danger. You have provided for me so often that I have taken it for granted and only a few times bothered to thank You. You breathed life into me while still in my mother’s womb and then, through the Holy Spirit, breathed life into me again with the gift of salvation provided by the blood of Your Son, Jesus. Every step I take is a testimony of grace. Every breath I take is evidence that You are a merciful God. Let me be faithful to You in my life and in testifying to Your goodness. Help me to show others the way to You because without You not one bit of this life makes sense. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Background of the

France & Belgium Territory

France: France is a democratic republic with a strong presidency, balanced by a parliament. It is sharply divided between far left and a reactionary right that is creating political turmoil.

France has the sixth largest economy in the world based on agriculture, industry and the world’s foremost tourist destination that leads a strong service industry. Socialized policies provide good public service such as excellent health care, infrastructure, a highly professional workforce but one that has a large bureaucracy and prone to frequent strikes. Needed reforms are highly resisted but with an aging population and the pressures of a growing legal and illegal immigrant population, France is facing questions regarding its future that must be addressed.

There is complete freedom of religion in France. Although once a solidly Catholic nation, the influence of the Catholic Church has declined sharply, while atheism and other faith groups have grown. While Christianity is still the leading religion, the non-religious claim over 30% of the population and Islam, mostly from immigrants, has grown to over 10% of the population. Despite this, evangelicals are enjoying a steady and encouraging rate of growth, both through the influx of immigrants bringing and sharing their faith as well as those turning to Christ among the traditional French population.

Belgium: Belgium became a nation in 1830 as a constitutional monarchy, but since 1993 has been governed by a federal constitution. It has been traditionally divided between the Walloons and the Flemish, a divide that persists to the present day.

Because of its strategic location, Belgium enjoys a strong economy fueled by a highly skilled workforce, superior infrastructure and as home to many international organizations.

There is full freedom of religion although there has been traditional media hostility toward Protestants. Religion is largely irrelevant to most Belgians. While nearly 60% claim Christianity, church attendance is less than 10% on any given Sunday. Non-religious is the second-highest religious category at close to 40%. Still, the number of evangelicals has grown steadily over the years, so there is some promise there.

The Salvation Army: Since “La Marachale” (oldest daughter of William and Catherine Booth) conducted The Salvation Army’s first meeting in Paris on Sunday, March 13, 1881, Salvationist influence has grown, and remarkable social and spiritual results have been achieved. French officers commenced the work in Algeria in 1934 and this work was maintained until 1970.

In Belgium, Salvation Army operations were pioneered on May 5, 1889 by Adjutant and Mrs. Charles Rankin and Captains Velleema and Hass. Most of the work in Belgium operates within the Francophone part of the country so, from January 1, 2009, the former Belgian Command became a region linked administratively to France under the newly created France and Belgium Territory.

Facts, Stats and Leadership of the

France & Belgium Territory

Statistics

• Total population with which to fish and disciple: 79,112,196
• 51 officers, 2 envoys, 2965 employees
• 91 retired officers
• 30 corps, 3 outposts
• 1,103 senior soldiers
• 218 adherents
• 158 junior soldiers

Leadership

Colonel Jacques Donzé - Territorial Commander

Colonel Claude-Evelyne Donzé - Territorial President of Women's Ministries

Lt. Colonel Joël Etcheverry - Chief Secretary

Lt. Colonel Karen Etcheverry - Territorial Secretary of Women's Ministries

Prayer Requests of the

France & Belgium Territory

France and Belgium Territory

Praise and thanksgiving:

• Five new cadets in the ‘Keepers of the Covenant’ session and responses to the call to vocation at their welcome meeting

Prayer requests:

• Implementing the territory's new spiritual strategy in the corps
• A successful seminar bringing together social centers managers and corps managers (the first time in France)

FRANCE

Praise and thanksgiving:

• The social sector will finally reach financial balance in 2025, which is very good news, almost unhoped-for, even if there is still work to be done to reduce losses at operational level.
• Welcoming five new corps managers (short-term ministry and auxiliary-captains)

Prayer requests:

• Successful integration of the new social centers and corps managers with enthusiasm for them to serve through The Salvation Army 

BELGIUM

Praise and thanksgiving:

• The festive day on 21st September brought together the Belgian Salvation Army's corps and social centers at our Ukrainian refugees center in Spa, in the presence of the territorial leadership team and the 5 cadets from the territory. The atmosphere was very good, with a strengthening of brotherly ties and collaboration between Salvationists, officers, employees, managers and residents.

Prayer requests:

• The finances for our spiritual and social activities, as well as the finances for our buildings, with major works to come. Let us pray for new legacies to the Salvation Army.

USA Southern Territory

Prayer Requests

• The family of Major Jeanette Jones, who was recently Promoted to Glory
• The family of John D. Lamerson, father of Major Julie Cornett, who was recently Promoted to Glory
• The family of Chet Duracher, nephew of Major Frank Duracher, who was recently Promoted to Glory
• Major Jamie Satterlee, Territorial Candidates’ Secretary
• Property Department
• Chris Murray, Senior Systems & Network Administrator, Information Technology
• Roominee Nauth, Territorial Allowance & Tax Specialist, Finance
• Keyaire Knox, Paralegal – Estate Trust & Probate, Legal
• Captain Hae Young Lee, Director of Campus Life/Food Services, Evangeline Booth College
• Cadet Corey Tilley
• Major Lorraine Crawford, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Potomac Division
• Colonel Julie-Anne Louden, Territorial Leader for Leader Development, USA Central Territory
• Dr. Bill Ury, Ambassador for Holiness, NHQ
• Lt. Colonels Kent & Melody Davis, officers, soldiers, employees, and volunteers of the Florida Division
• Youth Programs

Something to Consider

• Violet Jessop, a ship nurse, survived the sinking of both the Titanic and it sister ship, the Britannic. She was also on board the third sister ship, the Olympic, when it collided with a warship. When people saw her, they had that sinking feeling.
• After the release of “The Princess and the Frog” movie, more than 50 children in the USA were hospitalized with salmonella after kissing frogs in search of a prince or princess. Good thing there wasn’t a movie entitled, “The Princess and the Possum.”
• During WW2, the Germans built a fake wooden airfield with wooden aircraft, vehicles, and hangars to trick the allies. The British Royal Air Force, having known of the secret project for months, patiently waited for them to finish and then dropped a single fake wooden bomb on it. Apparently, the Brits exploded with laughter.
• In 1997, Berlin-based artist Hans Hemmert hosted a party where guests wore shoe-extenders to make them all the same height of two meters. For those who are vertically challenged, something had to be done.
• Roller coasters were invented to distract Americans from sin. LaMarcus Thompson wanted to give people somewhere else to go beside brothels and saloons. Perhaps Mr. Thompson could have invited people to church.
• Sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins can – up to 40 minutes. I’ve seen kettle workers who breathe less than this.
• It’s impossible to hum while holding your nose. Tell this to a group of kids and see how many try it. Of course, you already have.
• Blue whale tongues can weigh as much as an elephant. Question: who weighs these things and what scales do they use?
• Michelangelo wrote a poem about how much he hated painting the Sistine Chapel. Apparently he wrote it when he read the fine print that he was just supposed to put on a coat of flat latex.
• The Eiffel Tower was originally intended for Barcelona. It was sent by the US Postal Service and was supposed to be there in time for Christmas.

The value of these facts to the quality of your life is certainly questionable at best. But as you face what is ahead for you today be assured of this truth from God’s Word:

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Benediction

May you sense the love of God in every step you take this day; may You feel the warmth of His presence wherever you are; may You know that He regards you with love and concern and may you respond with love and obedience as His Spirit leads. Amen.