The pastoral team

The pastoral team is made up of our minister Thierry Rouquet (recognised by the French Evangelical Baptist Federation, FEEBF), his wife Raymonde (parish assistant), a pastoral assistant Christian Berbié and his wife Véronique.
Photo de Thierry et Raymonde Rouquet, pasteur de l'église de La Chapelle

Thierry and Raymonde Rouquet

They have been married for 42 years and, have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren.
Their commitment to “La Chapelle” dates back to 2008.

Thierry, the son of a pastor, Made his own steps towards the Lord whereas Raymonde, underwent a radical conversion. For both of them, the natural course of things and obvious choice was to serve God and the church together. To prepare for this, Thierry studied theology at the Jean Calvin faculty in Aix-en-Provence. As for Raymonde, she has devoted herself to serving the church by putting her talents to good use, particularly in the service of worship, accompanied by Thierry, a guitarist by trade.

In 2007 Thierry was welcomed into the Fédération de Églises évangéliques baptistes de France (F.E.E.B.F.), and in 2008 the couple responded to the pastoral call from La Chapelle, where Thierry works as minister.

Véronique and Christian Berbié

Véronique and Christian have been married for 44 years and are the parents of four children and grandparents of seven grandchildren. They encountered Jesus when they were young and became involved in worship at an early age. In 1984, a Bible verse (Luke 12 vt 42) awakened a growing pastoral vocation in Christian.

Véronique, has always been sensitive to the needs of those around her, a concern that has guided her professional choices and her voluntary commitments.

Over time, Véronique felt God’s call to take care of the Church. In 2006, they joined our community, where they felt welcomed and free to get involved.

Together with Thierry and Raymonde, they have learned to work together, sharing a concern for the spiritual growth of each person and for accompanying people in difficulty.

Photo de Véronique et Christian BERBIé de l'équipe pastorale

Our understanding and practice of the pastorate are in line with the principles of our Baptist federation, the main points of which are set out in the FEEBF statement (see link below, especially p. 13).

FEEBF statement

Here are some key points in our understanding of the pastorate:

  • Pastors, called by God to his service, are chosen by the assembly of the Church (Acts 14:23; 15:22).
  • They must possess the qualities required for this ministry in line with the New Testament (1 Timothy 3:1-7).
  • They are responsible for preaching, teaching and spiritual guidance.
  • As well as ensuring good order in the church, they strive to be models of the Gospel themselves (2 Timothy 4:2 – Hebrews 13:17 – 1 Timothy 4:12).
  • Pastors exercise their ministry in collaboration with other leaders (assistants, elders, deacons, activity leaders), who are recognised and established in their ministry by the church, and who must also meet the criteria set out in the New Testament (1 Timothy 3:8-13; Titus 1:5-9).

Our congregation is committed to the principles of welcoming all (Romans 14:1; 15:7). This is why, in addition to the members of the local Church, other people may show an attachment to the Lord and a real interest in the life of the congregation, by participating in various ways in the activities of the Church, without however being members. Since the Church’s ministry of of welcoming all is fundamental, its members have a duty to surround these people in the love of Christ, thus helping them in their spiritual growth and fostering their commitment to the community (cf. the Baptist Federation’s statement cited above, p. 16).