October 2, 2026
In the dark hallways of train stations, along the muddy paths of migrant camps, and in the back alleys of Paris, Christians are showing up with a simple question: “Can I give you something?”
In their hands: backpacks. But these are no ordinary backpacks.
Packed with hygiene kits, Bibles, and practical items, each backpack is a vessel of compassion. A tool that says, “You matter. You are seen. You are loved.”
A City Full of Visible Needs
Paris is a city of beauty and brokenness, where world-famous art stands just blocks from people struggling to survive. Refugees, the homeless, and the hurting have found their way to this city, hoping for safety or a fresh start. Instead, many face isolation, poverty, and a daily struggle to survive.
Local churches saw those who are hurting. Now they’ve found a way to help.
Mobilizing the Church to Serve
In late 2024, Send Relief partnered with French Baptist churches to distribute 1,500 backpacks throughout Paris and surrounding communities. This outreach sparked a wave of ministry.
Church members, many of them new believers themselves, joined together to take the gospel to the margins. They handed out backpacks in camps, shared hot meals in parks, and prayed for those who had nowhere else to turn. Some volunteers even brought their children along, eager to serve as families.
One man who had just told a friend, “God exists, and you’ll see,” was handed a hot meal by a volunteer. When he was also given a backpack filled with essentials, he burst into tears.
“Wow,” he said. “This is really what I need.”
He had arrived in France two months prior, but told volunteers that he had never seen so much love shown to him.
New Believers, New Momentum
This project didn’t just serve those in need; it changed the church. More than 60 local volunteers stepped into ministry, and several non-believers joined to help distribute backpacks. Along the way, they heard the gospel.
As one project leader shared, “These backpacks gave churches something tangible to offer. A kind word. A moment of dignity. A conversation that led to prayer, and sometimes, to new faith.”
Five people gave their lives to Christ during the distribution period. And with the momentum and support from this initiative, churches have now launched their own long-term outreach efforts, sustained by local giving and leadership.
The Gospel is on the Move
What began with a backpack has grown into a movement. Three new communities have opened their doors to local believers. More than 1,000 people have heard the gospel, and the church in France has become more visible, known for compassion and care.
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And next spring, you can be part of writing the next chapter. From May 30–June 5, 2026, we’re inviting skilled professionals and willing volunteers to use their hands—whether in flooring, electrical, plumbing, or general construction—to strengthen gospel-focused ministries across France. Together, we can help create spaces where the love of Christ will be shared for years to come. Learn more about Serve Tour France at sendrelief.org/serve-tour/france.
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