Energy and experience Robert and Jackie Charpentier serving in Montreal North The Fellowship French Mission’s newest missionary couple bring a wealth of experience to their new role as leaders of the French church in Montreal North. Robert and Jackie Charpentier have been active lay leaders in their home church in Rosemont and in other ministries for over four decades. They are now taking on the challenge of giving leadership to a struggling urban church that has been without a pastor for several years. Robert first heard the gospel at age 17 from his high school friend, René Frey—the same person who eventually became his pastor and his brother-in-law. Robert attended church meetings for over a year before yielding to the truth of God’s Word and giving his life to the Lord in June 1965. Joyful service Since his conversion Robert has been involved in many aspects of Christian service. He’s served in a variety of roles, including youth leader, Sunday school superintendent, worship leader, and elder. Robert enjoys teaching the Word of God and is much appreciated as a speaker for camps, couples conferences, and other occasions. For the last four years, Robert and Jackie served as Directors of Ministry at Camp des Bouleaux, spending their weekends and summers at the camp, three hours north of Montreal. Robert has been teaching at the high school level at Emmanuel Christian School in the Montreal area since 1975. He will continue teaching while serving the church in Montreal North on a part-time basis. Robert says, “I plan to get to know the family of believers in the church by visiting every home and by inviting each person to our home. We have already started the Evangelism Explosion program and we are seeing encouraging results.” Jackie’s story Jackie (née Frey) is a gifted and willing helper in this new phase of their lives. Jackie’s father was a pastor in Switzerland and then with the Fellowship in Montreal, Quebec and her mother, from Toronto, came from a family with Christian roots going back seven generations. Jackie jokes, “You could say I was born between two pages of the Bible.” Jackie became a Christian as a young child but struggled with the assurance of salvation for many years. Finally, at age 13, she gained a greater understanding of her sinful nature and her ongoing need for God’s forgiveness, even after being saved. She was baptized at age 13, in the same service as 18-year-old Robert Charpentier. At that time, Jackie had already noticed Robert, but to him she was just the little sister of his friend René. Almost five years later, Jackie’s prayers were answered when Robert finally looked her way. They soon became engaged and married in 1971. Today they have four adult children ranging from age 23 to 30 and two grandchildren. Jackie says, “As a family, we have gone through some trials and some difficult times, but the Lord has always been faithful and full of grace. I can see God’s goodness not only in the lives of my grandparents and my parents, but also in my own life, the lives of our children and now even in the lives of our grandchildren!” Jackie heartily supports Robert’s desire to serve the Lord in Montreal North. She is personally involved in evangelism, training and encouraging believers. Jackie is also a member of the board of FEBInternational. Robert says, “Sensing the desire of this small congregation to reach out with the gospel of Christ to a needy, underprivileged neighbourhood, we decided to answer the call to pastor the church in Montreal North. We pray that God may use us to bring an encouraging word to this group of faithful believers and to preach salvation to the surrounding community.”