Reflections on Nice

Dear Momentum Europe Partners and Friends,

It seems that Linda and I  have a personal connection to recent terror incidents.

We used to live in San Bernardino.  Currently we live in Orlando.  Yet it is last nights terror attack in Nice that seems to have hit closest to home.

Perhaps it’s because God has put Europe, and especially that part of Europe, on our hearts in a special way.

As many reading this will know, Momentum Europe was launched in Nice as Roger and Sara Randall and Cy Todd moved there a decade ago to begin speaking with influential leaders about the remarkable love of Jesus.  Linda and I have visited there many times, participated in some of those conversations,  and have driven along that very stretch of boulevard where so many lives were taken last night.

We’re grateful that our team there was not harmed in the incident nor were, as far as we know, any of the hundreds of people that they have ministered to.  But what of the thousands of people who lost a very close loved one last night, and the thousands more who were shaken by their very proximity to the tragedy?

If the statistics hold true, only a tiny fraction of the European men and women impacted by last night’s terror know Jesus.  In fact, most would not even know a true follower of Jesus.  They don’t have anyone who could come alongside to provide spiritual comfort and eternal perspective.  In a world with very little hope, theirs was just vaporized.

On a continent, and in a country, where most have concluded that, “if there is a God he is unknowable and irrelevant”, do we withdraw from  ministry?  Do we conclude that events like what have recently happened in Paris, Brussels and now Nice (to say nothing of growing global challenges) are simply too overwhelming for us to make a credible case for a loving God?

Or do we with a gentle and humble spirit continue to boldly proclaim the life transforming power of the Gospel – a Gospel which brings hope even in the midst of despair.  Do we give up, or do we move forward expectantly – trusting that Europe’s economic, social and political (see Brexit) unrest is all part of God’s plan to soften well hardened hearts across the continent?

Of course, you know the answer.

Into a world full of evil, we bring the remarkable message of grace.  Where each person is unto his own, we bring generosity.  Where political correctness abounds, we bring authenticity.  When all seems lost we bring expectancy.

The world is in desperate need of humble leaders who seek after God’s heart.  As Momentum Europe seeks to play it’s role in the unfolding of God’s heart for Europe will you pray that we can effectively communicate the grace, generosity, authenticity and expectancy of hope in Christ to men and women in our sphere of influence in Nice and beyond.

Let’s choose to believe that hearts are longing for truth.   Let’s give ourselves not only to our neighbors, but also to the nations.

Thank you for your generous prayers, support and encouragement for the ministry of Momentum Europe.

Yours for spiritual awakening in Europe and Russia,

Tom Miller
Executive Director, Momentum Europe