To find the Adventists of Saint-Brieuc, you have to go to rue Jean-Jacques-Rousseau. An odonym which is certainly a coincidence, but like the writer and philosopher, these Christians have chosen to turn away from the dogmas of the Catholic Church to get closer to Protestantism, not without a certain singularity.
Concerning Adventists, the first is that of weekly worship, which is not held on Sunday. It was therefore on a Saturday, December 7, that we attended worship in the presence of around thirty faithful. Pastor Dominique Boisfer has been guiding his small flock for a little over ten years.
A moving sermon
In a small anonymous room, a few rows of chairs face a lectern around which the pastor moves. For more than two hours, he has been bringing the Gospel to life through words and actions. To illustrate the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth, he does not hesitate to draw parallels with current events, evoking in turn the reconstruction of Notre-Dame or the dissolution of the government. With the Bible in hand, he questions the faithful, taking the time to look each of them in the eyes.
At the end of his sermon, the pastor slows down his speech and takes a softer voice in order to deliver the essential message: “We are not born to disappear! »
“Jesus helped me get through it all”
After the sermon and the songs, adults and children separate into two groups for “Bible study”. Among Adventists, the “scriptures” are a permanent tool. Most have their Bible within reach all day long. As for the young people, the sermon was visibly popular. “It’s interactive. We can participate and give our opinion,” says a practitioner.
Within the small church, young people represent almost half of the faithful. This is the case for Sacha. As a child, she took catechism classes, before “losing her faith”. Then, “one day, I almost died after an accident. And my boyfriend, who went to church, brought me here. I liked the atmosphere and have stayed ever since. »
Like her, Christine, an insurance employee, became an Adventist after facing “difficult life circumstances”: “Jesus helped me overcome all that and I ended up being baptized at 30 years old. »
“We know well that Jesus was not born that day”
There are nearly 54,000 Adventists in France, the majority of whom are based in Overseas, mainly in Guadeloupe and Martinique, according to sociologist Fabrice Desplan.
They are distinguished by their respect for the Sabbath and more generally their attention to the First Testament. They are also very focused on health issues. And Christmas? “It’s a commercial festival all the same,” asserts a young faithful. “We know very well that Jesus was not born that day,” raises another.
So there are no gifts under the Adventist tree? The sparkling look of a child indicates that yes. “Everyone is free to celebrate it, especially for the symbolism of the gathering between Christians,” Yoann finally decides. “We will also organize a meal on this occasion and we will invite single people,” specifies the pastor.
