Called to Europe

Following his graduation from Northwestern Bible School Dr. Sommerville left home, sensing that God had called him to be a missionary to Europe. Unable to get a visa for Russia, he ministered in Czechoslovakia near the Russian border. When the iron curtain fell and he could no longer serve there, he ministered in deportation camps to refugees who had been forced by the Nazis to leave their home.

A short time later, God burdened his heart for France. It was in France that he met Irene Cochran, a missionary to Africa, who spoke French. They were married on September 18, 1948, and the two of them began a successful ministry together in France that would last for over 65 years.

Founding S.E.E.

Dr. Sommerville first established a church in the city of Bordeaux. Sensing God’s leadership to start more churches throughout the country of France, he founded the Society for Europe’s Evangelization. He then established a church in Toulouse, where he also established a Bible Institute to train young people to serve the Lord in France.

His unique ministry, which included training young people from America alongside French believers as permanent Gospel teams, led to the establishment of at least fifteen independent Baptist churches throughout France. Through these ministries, hundreds—if not thousands—came to know Jesus Christ as Savior. Nearly all of the churches he helped establish continue to serve today, many under the leadership of pastors trained through the Bible Institute.

A Life of Faith and Legacy

Dr. Arthur Sommerville went home to be with the Lord on May 4, 2020, due to complications from cancer. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene, in 2013.

He was first and foremost a servant of the Lord who loved God and served Him faithfully for over 70 years in France. He was loved by thousands in both France and America and will be remembered most as a man of tremendous vision, faith, and prayer, accomplishing things that many would have thought to be impossible.

He was always trusting God to lead him in every endeavor he undertook and lived with the expectation of the Lord’s return at any moment. His wit and wisdom were always entertaining, but he will especially be remembered for his burden for souls and his desire to see “a great Gospel-preaching church in the heart of Paris.”

His Legacy Lives On

The vision God placed in Dr. Sommerville’s heart continues through the faithful work of the Society for Europe’s Evangelization. As churches are strengthened, leaders are trained, and the Gospel is proclaimed throughout France, his commitment to serving Christ continues to inspire the ministry today.