Meet the Family: Laurent Philit (France)
A Warm Greeting from Lyon!
Hello from Lyon, France! I'm Laurent Philit, and my wife's name is Michèle. We have two wonderful boys, and while we're not grandparents yet, Michèle and I are overflowing with joy to see our sons walking hand-in-hand with God, truly in a personal relationship with Him!
I was raised in a Christian home, so I heard about Jesus and Bible stories from a very young age. I always believed God existed and grew up respecting Him. But until my twenties, this knowledge of God felt mostly intellectual, and that was enough for me.
During that time, I was a bit lost, searching for myself without a clear path in studies or work, and frankly, feeling pretty insecure. My father prayed for me constantly, especially during this period.
When I was 21, God used my passion for sports to connect me with a very athletic young Christian man who attended an evangelical church. Being around him and his Christian friends, seeing their authentic faith, deeply moved me.
I soon realized that God was offering me so much more than the somewhat legalistic understanding I had of Him. Yes, Jesus Christ was indeed the Savior I'd been taught about, but He offered a deeper invitation! He wanted me to allow Him to work in my life, transforming it little by little as I listened to His teachings. What I knew about Him began to live within me! That was 40 years ago, and He's still just as vibrant and alive in me today!
I can truly testify that God has consistently shown me, day by day, that my trust in Him is well-placed and that He is absolutely faithful! I am a child of God, deeply loved by my heavenly Father, and Christ brings His daily, liberating forgiveness to cover my shortcomings. What incredible gratitude fills my heart!
I want to encourage all of you, especially young people: get to know this God. You can truly trust in Him, and with Him, your life can find its genuine purpose and fulfillment! In this often-troubled world, amidst our joys and sorrows, what a comforting privilege it is to hear God, through the words of Jesus Christ, tell us:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
