The purpose of Life!Marseille is to promote and advance the Kingdom of God
in and around the city of Marseille, France.

A Vision as Big as the City!

Strategies for understanding the way the church is and the way it could be in this city involve extensive prayer and research. It is only as we know our community that we can begin to mobilize resources in order to see Christ’s Kingdom expand. As we begin to serve the greater Marseille area, we expect to focus on three key tasks:

  • Research that can be applied practically;
  • Disciple-making leading to church planting; and
  • Connecting with city leaders.

Our vision is to encourage the planting of churches and do whatever it takes to understand and help nurture the health and vitality of Marseille’s existing churches and diverse communities. This means immersing ourselves in extensive research to determine what God has done in this region over the centuries, what He is doing now, and what He may be calling His people to focus on next.

We value the preeminence of building the Kingdom of God and not any individual ministry. We want to support what is already bearing fruit in the city through research, relationship-building, and prayer. There must be a strong emphasis on linking arms with existing ministries. We also seek to promote the health of city structures through economic development, educational collaboratives, and urban theological education as well as through training and consulting. We seek to facilitate a “teaching hospital” environment for those interested in serving the city.

About Marseille, France

Marseille’s tourist office says, “Marseille isn’t a city; it’s a shock.” At over 2,600 years old, it is made up of 111 villages, and is the second largest city in France with more than 45,000 university students.

Nineteenth century French author Alexander Dumas called Marseille “the meeting place of the entire world,” and it’s a description that has not changed. It has been the gateway to Europe for hundreds of thousands of immigrants.

There are over a million people in the city, of which half are north and sub-Saharan African (mostly Muslims), Asian and non-French European. The other 50 percent are French nationals.

According to a major poll in 2003, most French people under the age of 25 named Marseille as the #1 city where they’d like to live! One travel book recently wrote, “In the city, scaffolding is seen everywhere with many grand construction projects underway… and tourism is up 14% since last year.” It is also a city that continues to be infamous for soaring crime rates, drug use, racism, and an “anything goes” ethic.

marseilles harbor

The Earl Family

the Earl FamilyWayne and Lori live in France with their five children: Abby (born 1989), Evangeline (1991), Esther (1994), Graham (1996), and Abraham (2003).

Lori grew up in Ghana, West Africa where her parents were working. She then went to the United States (U.S.) and earned degrees in Psychology and Intercultural Communications. Lori also has a middle school teaching license.

Wayne grew up in southern California and began following Jesus at age 19. He then went on to earn two theology degrees and spent about 15 years serving churches as a youth, assistant, senior, and interim pastor. Wayne also taught for several years as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor both in the U.S. and overseas.

Wayne and Lori have been married since 1984 and have lived in Illinois, Massachusetts, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, and France. Their history as pastors, church planters, teachers, and expatriate workers culminates in their present ministry to the people of Marseille. A call to such a city is certainly too big for any one couple to realize! That is why they believe that God has sent them to partner with kingdom-builders already there and with others still to come, in order that, in community, they may contribute to the transformation of Marseille for the glory of Christ!

Support

Your Prayers for...

  • Effective, faithful ministry to the people of Marseille
  • Continued growth in Wayne and Lori’s marriage 
  • Strength and wisdom to be godly parents
  • The Earl Family; that they may respond in joyful obedience to the work of Jesus in their lives
  • All the details involved in their transition to Marseille: finances, visas, housing

Financial

Life!Marseille is funded by contributions from churches, individuals and other interested organizations. Donations are tax deductible for U.S. taxpayers. Make checks or money orders payable to "Emmanuel Gospel Center" and put "Life!Marseille" on the memo line. U.S. funds please. Mail to:

Emmanuel Gospel Center
PO Box 180245
Boston MA 02118-0994

Donate online through PayPal.

Accountability

Life!Marseille is partnered with Emmanuel Gospel Center (EGC) in seeking to build the Kingdom of God in Marseille, France, and is accountable to both EGC and a Support Team Board.

Contact Us

Wayne and Lori Earl
c/o Emmanuel Gospel Center
P.O Box. 180245
Boston MA 02118-0994 USA