Our Story
For nearly seventy years, God has faithfully used the Society for Europe’s Evangelization to establish churches, train Christian leaders, and proclaim the Gospel throughout France. What began as one family’s burden for France has grown into a ministry that continues to impact lives across generations.
A Vision Born for France
The story of the Society for Europe’s Evangelization began with a burden that God placed on the hearts of Dr. Arthur and Irene Sommerville. Following World War II, Dr. Sommerville served in Czechoslovakia near the Russian border after being unable to obtain a visa for Russia. When political changes forced him to leave, he ministered in refugee camps to those displaced by the war. It was during this time that God began directing his heart toward the people of France.
While serving there, Dr. Sommerville met Irene Cochran, a missionary to Africa who spoke French. They were married on September 18, 1948, and together devoted their lives to reaching the French people with the Gospel. Their partnership in ministry would span more than sixty-five years and become the foundation of what would later become the Society for Europe’s Evangelization.
In 1956, that vision became a reality with the founding of S.E.E. One year later, on February 7, 1957, the mission was officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization with a council of fifteen members. From the very beginning, S.E.E. existed with one clear purpose—to establish independent Baptist churches throughout France through permanent Gospel teams.
1956
S.E.E.
Founded
1957
First Church
Established
15+
Churches
Planted
100+
Bible Institute
Graduates
Building Churches & Training Leaders
Shortly after the mission was founded, Miss Laura Copp joined the Sommervilles to form the first Gospel team. Their work began in Toulouse, a city of more than 300,000 people that had no Gospel-preaching Baptist church at the time. What began as a step of faith soon became one of the defining ministries of S.E.E.
Over the next thirty years, God richly blessed the work in Toulouse. Hundreds came to faith in Christ, and a thriving local church was established. Recognizing the need to prepare future Christian leaders, the ministry also founded a Bible Institute that has trained more than one hundred students for ministry.
Today, graduates of the Bible Institute continue serving as pastors, evangelists, and Bible teachers in France, Spain, Mexico, Canada, Haiti, the United States, and beyond. The investment in training faithful men and women has multiplied the ministry far beyond the walls of one church.
Expanding the Ministry
In 1968, five young people arrived from the United States to begin the Intensive Missionary Training (IMT) program. They joined French believers in permanent Gospel teams, traveling throughout southwestern France to evangelize communities and establish new churches.
As more workers joined the ministry, S.E.E.’s outreach expanded across the country. Many of the churches planted during those years continue faithfully today, led by pastors who themselves were trained through the Bible Institute.
In 1978, the Lord opened the door to establish a church in the heart of Paris, one of Europe’s largest cities. Just three years later, in 1981, the headquarters of S.E.E. moved from Toulouse to Paris, where the ministry of the Bible Institute and IMT program continues today.
During this time, the Paris church also operated a fifteen-minute radio broadcast that aired twice daily, reaching tens of thousands of listeners with the message of the Gospel.
Continuing the Mission
Through the ministry of the church in Paris, S.E.E. has helped establish additional churches throughout France, including works in Nice, Lille, Somain, Aix-en-Provence, and a second church in Paris. Each church represents the continued fulfillment of the mission that began in 1956.
In 2012, Dr. Steve Fowler became the American Director of S.E.E. After faithfully serving the mission in various leadership roles for many years, he began traveling regularly between the United States and France, working alongside Dr. Arthur Sommerville in evangelism, leadership training, and encouraging churches throughout the country.
Following Dr. Sommerville’s passing in May 2020, Dr. Fowler became the International Director of S.E.E. Today he continues leading the ministry in both France and America, strengthening churches, recruiting future missionaries, training Christian leaders, and representing the mission to supporting churches.
Although the ministry has grown over the decades, the purpose remains unchanged: to proclaim Jesus Christ, establish biblical churches, and equip believers to carry the Gospel throughout France and other countries.
A Legacy That Continues
For nearly seventy years, God has proven Himself faithful. Churches continue to proclaim the Gospel. Christian leaders continue to be trained. New missionaries continue answering God’s call.
While methods may change, the mission remains the same:
To plant biblical churches, equip Christian leaders, and proclaim the Gospel throughout France until Christ returns.
Meet Our Founder
The vision for S.E.E. began with Dr. Arthur Sommerville and his lifelong burden to reach France with the Gospel.
Learn about the remarkable story of the man God used to establish this ministry and the legacy that continues today.