A dynamic Evangelical Charismatic megachurch in France, known for its expansive growth and humanitarian efforts.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Evangelical
Founded: 1966
Website: porte-ouverte.com.
The Christian Open Door Church, officially known as Mission du Plein Évangile – Église Porte Ouverte Chrétienne (POC), is a significant religious institution located in Mulhouse, France. This charismatic evangelical multi-site megachurch, founded in 1966 by Jean Peterschmitt, has grown to become the second-largest Evangelical church in the country, boasting a membership of over 2,200 people. Under the leadership of Senior Pastor Samuel Peterschmitt, the church maintains a vital presence in the community and the broader Evangelical movement in France. Affiliated with the Federation of Full Gospel Churches in Francophonie and the National Council of Evangelicals of France, the Christian Open Door Church embraces a charismatic and evangelical denomination rooted in the Pentecostal tradition, which focuses on the experiential aspect of faith, including the belief in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The church came into the limelight for its unintentional role in the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic within France. In mid-February 2020, the church organized a gathering in Mulhouse attended by approximately 2,000 faithful, becoming a significant vector for the spread of COVID-19 across the nation, with the first cases linked to the gathering reported in early March 2020. By March 6, 81 cases had been detected in Mulhouse and the surrounding area, prompting the Haut Rhin department, where Mulhouse is located, to impose stringent restrictions on gatherings and close all educational institutions. The church quickly adapted to these circumstances by suspending physical services in favor of online worship.
This incident brought considerable attention and criticism to the Christian Open Door Church, with its pastor and members facing threats and accusations of contributing to the pandemic’s spread. Despite this, a study by a doctor from the Albert-Schweitzer hospital in Colmar suggested that the church’s role might have been overstated. The study posited that the virus had been present in the region since November 2019 and that the church was merely one link in the chain of transmission.
In the 1990s, the church also faced criticism from former members, their families, anti-cult associations, and the Catholic Church. Accusations ranged from antisocial speech and family breakdowns to false promises of healing and financial irregularities. The church, however, denied these allegations, asserting it was a victim of religious discrimination. Two sociologists who studied the church in 2002 rejected these criticisms but noted that any group might experience deviances.
Despite facing criticism, the Christian Open Door Church continues to hold a significant place within the evangelical community in France, known for its dynamic worship services and the active engagement of its congregation in both local and global evangelical missions.
image via Wikimedia
