bless.

Isaiah 13:2 “Raise a signal flag on a bare hilltop. Call up an army against Babylon. Wave your hand to encourage them as they march into the palaces of the high and mighty.”

Esaie 13:2 “Menace sur Babylone, révélée à Esaïe, fils d’Amots. Sur un mont dénudé, dressez un étendard, poussez des cris et agitez la main! Que l’on franchisse les portes des seigneurs!

Jesaja 13:2 “Dit is de profetie die God aan Jesaja, de zoon van Amoz, over Babel gaf:Kijk, de vlaggen en de vaandels wapperen als hun vijand tot de aanval overgaat. Roep naar hen, Israël, en zwaai met uw hand wanneer zij optrekken tegen Babel om de paleizen van de rijken en de machthebbers te vernietigen.

Isaiah pictures an army marching against the great pagan city of Babylon. In the context, this almost certainly refers to the Medes and Persians. The prophet sees Israel as cheerleaders to the invading army. From their vantage point on a barren hillside – clearly visible to all – they are to waves flags, arms and anything that moves to spur on those who come against Babylon. But what if this picture were for today; who would the invading army be? Young leaders perhaps, established and equipped in their faith, marching into the very heart of Babylon to enter the places of power.

Bethanie is an isolated farmhouse on a hillside in Normandy: exposed to the elements; far from the city; away from the action; out of the spotlight. A strange place indeed from which to launch a continent-shaping movement. But this is what we believe God is calling us to do. This is a place, we believe, that will impact a generation of young leaders from the nations of Europe. They will come here to meet with God, to be formed in mind, body and spirit and to consider their lives. They will leave here to ‘enter the places of the high and mighty’ with a new confidence, a new vision and a new resistance to the powers of Babylon. And from this bare hillside that God has for some reason chosen, we will cheer them on.

“ …you planted a flag to rally your people,  an unfurled flag to look to for courage…” Psalm 60:4, The Message

The funding to complete the purchase is NOT yet in place. Our urgent need is for £150,000 (€180,000) THIS MONTH to take the process to the next stage.

We continue to believe that God has called us to this place and that Bethanie itself has been prepared, over generations, ‘for such a time as this’. Please get in touch if you are able to stand with us in this challenge.