"L'Abri Fellowship began in Switzerland in
1955 when Francis and Edith Schaeffer decided in faith to open their
home to be a place where people might find satisfying answers to their
questions and practical demonstration of Christian care. It was called
L'Abri, the French word for "shelter," because they sought to provide a
shelter from the pressures of a relentlessly secular 20th century. As
time went by, so many people came that others were called to join the
Schaeffers in their work, and more branches were established." (Taken from L'Abri's website.)
My husband Tim and I, for years, have been saying that we wanted to have a ministry like the Schaeffer's on a smaller scale. Tim began pursuing a degree in Christian apologetics through Biola University's distance program a year and a half ago, and I have been enjoying absorbing some of his studies through listening in and joining his discussion groups. This winter, I had the opportunity to read L'Abri by Edith Schaeffer and learn more about the original "shelter." We keep feeling as though God is solidifying the desire in us to begin such a ministry.
Why? We believe that the Christian faith is not merely a fairy-tale religion, or a false history, or one that hides when tough questions arise. For if it was, then why believe it? No, Christianity is not just a "nice" thing to believe. It is real Truth (with a capital "T.") The Scriptures have been shown to be historically accurate and well-attested. The message of the Gospel has changed lives in a very real way, providing the way of salvation to those who believe in Christ's death and resurrection.
It is our earnest hope and desire to open up our home and our lives to people with honest questions about life and truth, no matter what their background or current belief system. We want to point people to the Scriptures, to helpful books and resources, to other men and women who have studied longer than we have. Ultimately, we want to show that the Christian faith can be rationally defended as reality.
We don't know where or how we would start an official "Little L'Abri," but we are praying that God would afford us the opportunities to begin such a ministry. We are starting our ministry in our day to day lives and conversations with others, and by praying that we would be obedient to what we know God desires of us. We trust that He will lead us all along the way to each new step in our endeavor. To Him be the glory!
