OAC Publications
Borderlines
June 1999

On TRAC in Avignon

Ardoine Clauzel, a member of Avignon Pentecostal Church, has lived in the city since 1991 and works as a solicitor. She talked to Richard Kemp.

RK: What is TRAC?

AC: We go out in the streets with a sketchboard, which we use to proclaim the Gospel message. Then the Christians who are standing amongst the crowd talk with the people who are interested.

RK: How did you get involved in open-air evangelism in Avignon?

AC: I started working with MEPA two years ago, during the Avignon Festival. I thought this was very good, so I carried on afterwards.

RK: Why did you decide to get involved?

AC: I think it is important to evangelize, to share our faith; I find the sketchboard makes it easy to approach people. Once they've heard the Gospel from the sketchboard preacher, we can be confident that we are talking to people who are interested; it's easier for us than just going up to people in the street.

RK: The young people from your church come out with you; why?

AC: I came once and then I told them about it. Now they come because they are motivated to evangelize, because they want to share their faith, and also apparently because the method suits them. I must also say that there isn't really anything else like this going on, so it's an opportunity for the church.

RK: Have you found that it has helped them in any way?

AC: Yes. There was 'X', for example: she had always wanted to share the gospel but hadn't plucked up the courage. The first time she came with us she was frightened, but in the end she saw how well it worked and that encouraged her.

RK: What do you think a project like TRAC offers to the churches in Avignon?

AC: I think it can help the churches to get more involved in evangelism, because it makes it easier for them; MEPA has the equipment, provides support and does the organisation. And that makes it easier for the local Christians to do what they should be doing, namely to evangelize. That in turn enables the church to move ahead, to grow, which is already happening for our young people who take part.

RK: So, what do you think has come out of TRAC for your church?

AC: We have a young man who comes to the church: he knew one of our church members and met him in the street during TRAC; now he comes to church regularly, and to the youth group. So, there's a first fruit!

RK: And have there been other contacts in the street?

AC: Well, that is the most concrete example. But in fact, every time we go out, there are some good contacts with people in the street. We're sowing, or, rather, we're just at the stage of clearing the ground... but there are always good contacts with people, every time, without fail.