Camp La Pastorale – France

Toulon and Marseilles are the gateway for Muslims entering France. These populous cities teem with French and North African families. Seeing a need to minister to urban youth in this region, a group of Baptist churches started a camping ministry in the 1970s. They began by renting facilities in the French Riviera, and were later able to purchase a 20-acre property that had been formerly owned by a professional soccer team. They named it “La Pastorale”. Built just before World War One, the property was originally a hotel for Catholic pilgrims visiting a local shrine. With its rugged mountain setting, sports facilities and rural location, La Pastorale provides a great getaway for youth who come from as far away as Paris. During the summer, the camp staff prepare two menus, one for the “Christian” kids, and a kosher meal for the “Muslim” kids. Many of the kids that attend camp are non-religious, and the program is set up to introduce them to Jesus Christ. Euroteam has been sending teams to La Pastorale since 1998, and has developed a wonderful relationship with the local church and the camp leadership.