For Claude and Julia Payan and the work of

“Souffle Nouveau”

The time we are entering is characterized by the fact the body of Christ is called upon more and more to function in a complementary way.

The times of solo self-sufficient ministries are past. These are times when everything is going to move quicker. And we must move forward more rapidly to carry out the mission of Jesus which is to touch the nations ; each one of us according to the direction God has shown him.

What He has shown us personally, Claude and Julia, is to play a key role in touching the French-speaking countries . For several years, we have travelled and invested in these countries.

Today we want to travel more quickly, further and more often to these nations and also work more in our own country.

“Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, O LORD!” (Joel 3 : 11)

That means we need more means !

That's why we decided to develop, as many international ministries have done, a more advanced network of partnership.

It seems logical, according to the principle of complementarity of callings, that those in the front line shouldn't have to worry about also being those who supply the funds (which we have largely done up to now). The load should be taken off them to be able to advance as they should on the battlefield, to pay attention, rather, to not treading on “the mines”, which are all too present in the context they are manoeuvring in;

To give a boost to “Partners Club” (see adjoining letter), and knowing that faith comes from what we are familiar with, I had at heart to explain in more detail the Biblical principle of partnership vis à vis a ministry.

Thanks for reading this letter to the end!

Understanding the Biblical principle of partnership

The Bible says that God builds His church, that is the growth as well as the construction takes place because His body learns to function in harmony.

A body which functions in harmony is a body in which the different members learn to be complementary. From this body come what we can call the apostolic ministries, listed in Ephesians 4 : 11 (read up to verse 16) :

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up...”

These ministers aren't self-sufficient. They need other ministers around them who are the extension of the members they represent, to support them, relieve them, encourage them, etc.

Those who act in this way, not only obedient to the Lord and enabling the body of Christ to be edified, but equally, placed under a particular blessing.

Paul addressing the Philippians tells them there is a particular grace, linked to the anointing of servant, which spreads, in return, on him who respects this principle.

“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel , all of you share in God's grace with me.” (Philippians 1 : 7)

The grace, in other words the anointing on Paul, becomes active in the life of those who support and encourage his ministry.

It's this that also means this part of the rest of the verse in Ephesians 4 quoted above :

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Christ brings the life and anointing which enables His body to function, but the members grow according to the force deployed in and by each of the parts of the body.

As in the physical body, the “spearhead” ministries, the apostolic ministries, when they increase their possibilities or forces, produce a work which is going to affect other people “by ricochet”; and particularly those who support this ministry.

It's why the best way to open doors for our own calling is to support someone who is already in place in his own.

By supporting the ministers developing in the apostolic domain, I personally believe that the people liberate the strength for their own life and ministry . Without talking of a material return, according to the principle that what a person sows, he shall also reap. (Galatians 6 : 7)

Paul brings out clearly, in his letter to the Philippians, that his greatest satisfaction is that in sending him an offering, the Philippians put themselves in the benefit of God's blessing.

“Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account . I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering , an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4 : 10 – 19)

Let's assess the dimensions of what Paul declares, and which can be very badly interpreted by a warped spirit : he is happy to receive what the Philippians sent him as a donation, but he is still happier that they have thus liberated God's blessing on themselves.

Because of their action, God is in a position to provide for all their needs ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES AND GLORY in Jesus Christ!

Must we support no-matter-what ministry? Not at all. We must sow in good soil, and where God wants.

If God doesn't ask us to sow in any ministry which bears fruit, the ministry he asks us to support will always be one which bears fruit.

Do we fulfil this condition?

The Bible says not to glorify ourselves, but encourages us to glorify in Christ, that is, not to be ashamed to declare what God has done in us and through us.

My wife and I started with nothing much 20 years ago, with songs and teachings enclosed in a folder. Then doors started opening to us in all sorts of ways, and after a while in many different countries.

Today, it's rare to arrive in a place to exercise a ministry without people testifying to us that such and such a song had been the trigger for giving their life to the Lord, for their healing, of the support it brought them in the first few days following their conversion, through difficult moments etc.

Others have given their life to the Lord at the time of such and such a meeting we gave in such and such a year, had a new revelation of God's ways reading brochures and books, or had been delivered from the burden which oppressed them.

In fact, in view of the number of voyages, places visited, and varied jobs we've had this last 20 years, I've the impression of already having had several lives and undertaking the last at the present moment.

I thought about that the other day, while considering past times in the ministry with my wife. There had been 10 years of voyages as singers and preachers, in all sorts of places and churches.

Then a period of 7 years. when I exercised the pastorate in a more classic church, and 10 more years since the creation of “Souffle Nouveau”.

10 years it has taken us to have a unified apostolic team, churches in the south of France, Madagascar, Reunion Island, to write many books and 3 series of Bible courses, distribution bases for these courses, books and medicines - in about 20 French-speaking countries.

Today, Julia and I feel the time has come for a new dimension in our work, and above all not to be limited in our vision any more.

Lately, the folks that pray for us and prophets we have met talk to us of new times, a new dimension, new outfits etc.

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” (Isaiah 54 : 2)

This is why we have decided to develop a larger partnership network, on the basis of a monthly support payment of a minimum of 15 €.

“ Why not rely solely on God?”, some will maybe ask. For God Himself tells us in His Word to invest in the people to participate in the advancement of His kingdom and to support the work of his ministers.

For the construction of the tabernacle, Moses received instructions from God to invite all who wanted to take part (Exodus 2 : 18).

“All the Israelites men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commended them to do.” (Exodus 35 : 29)

Jesus himself was supported by partners :

“...Joanna, the wife of Cuze, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” (Luke 8 : 3)

Paul, for his part, goes as far as declaring he had deprived other churches to bring the gospel freely to the Corinthians :

“I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you.” (2 Corinthians 11 : 8)

We are not about to rob you by asking a minimum support payment of 15 € a month to support this ministry. We still have the edge compared to this word of the apostle Paul.

Some people help us already, and we thank them anew for their fidelity .

We have been so blessed by American and English brothers and sisters who have considered us seriously and have taken at heart to support this ministry. We encourage more of them to become partners with us.

What we would like nevertheless, is that French people feel concerned . For we believe that this will unblock something in the spiritual world.

This type of appeal doesn't work well in France. But I believe that the new times are here, which will give rise to a new attitude of mind, essential factor for revival.

Let the devil be a liar and those who think the French are too individualist to commit themselves around a ministry in this form of partnership.

You cannot influence the nations directly? Be an instrument to help others do it!

Equally, liberate the process of your own blessing, for, after David :

“The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” (1 Samuel 30 : 24)

From an understanding of the spiritual principles developed in this letter, and a personal conviction, I encourage those who are close , as much as those who are a long way off to undertake this adventure with us.

If you are a pastor of a church, you can become partner as may the church. But the idea of becoming a partner personally is important.

Thank you for putting yourself in front of God and considering the possibility of becoming a partner of Claude and Julia this day.

May God bless you in all His richness in all the areas of your life!

Claude Payan

E-mail : claudepayan@neuf.fr