letter from France
KFC – and the fires of suspicion
The recent announcement by fast-food chicken chain KFC, that several of their restaurants will become 100% halal, has caused a social media storm in a nation that is allergic to any hint of religion influencing the public space.
Evangelicalism has not been spared from scrutiny either. In September 2025, France 1 TV channel aired a special broadcast titled "Évangéliques: un succès pas si angélique?" (Evangelicals: a not so angelic success). The broadcast was biased and one-sided, presenting evangelicals in a negative light. The report adds fuel to the fire of suspicion that already follows evangelicals in France. The CNEF (National Council of Evangelicals) immediately issued a statement calling the broadcast “a blatant attack on evangelical Protestantism and the Christian faith as a whole”.
letter from France
Mariam’s story
I still remember the first time she walked up to me before a Sunday service. “I’m new here. I’m not a Christian, and I’ve never been to church before. I’m not sure what I am supposed to do, but would it be okay if I came to your church?”
Mariam (not her real name) was a student studying in France. She arrived from a country with little to no gospel access and no idea how to get it. Yet, for several years, she has had a desire to find out more about Jesus. So, when the opportunity to study in English in Europe arose, she was excited to visit a church for the first time. There was a snag, however, as she did not speak French. Nevertheless, Mariam went to a French church where a few believers who could speak English took her under their wing. They then brought her to the International Church.