What is the FEF Network?

This is the second of three articles to help supporters understand a bit more about the broader picture of evangelicalism in France.

Last time, I focused on the CNEF (National Council of French Evangelicals), explaining that it unites five “poles”, including the Pole representing the FEF Network, with some 485 churches. The Evangelical Federation of France (FEF) was created in 1969 to represent the “classic” evangelical movement, in parallel with the work of the Alliance Évangélique Française. Then, in 2010, to promote greater unity, the FEF joined with the French Evangelical Alliance and the Assemblies of God (the main Pentecostal denomination in France) to create the CNEF. Today the FEF Network accounts for around 20% of French evangelicals.

Members of the FEF Network confess the plenary inspiration of the Bible and want to submit to its infallible authority, while respecting its internal diversity and the historical context of revelation. FEF members believe people become Christians by responding personally to the offer of salvation in Christ and expressing their faith in baptism. Because the Gospel of Christ is the only source of salvation, FEF members are committed to evangelism and to lives characterised by biblical ethics. The network sees the gifts of the Spirit as inseparable from the fruit of the Spirit. Members wish to promote a living spirituality, centred on the Triune God, which seeks to balance reason and emotions, doctrine and practice.

There are currently 11 denominations within the FEF Network. The biggest of these is CAEF (Open Brethren) with 123 churches, followed by Perspectives with 88 churches; the Association Baptiste has 62 churches. In March 2024, FEF leaders publicly declared their unity and commitment to working together in tangible ways, stating: “We want to work to create real partnerships, joint activities, and pooling of resources for churches in the same area. We want to encourage what’s already happening and develop this wherever possible.”