The beautiful city of Nice, France, suffered tragedy last night, when 84 people were struck and killed by a lorry. Citizens of Nice had just finished Bastille Day celebrations with fireworks on the beach. France and the world today are horrified by another terrorist attack.

When I heard the news, I thought of our ministry partners at two international churches in the Nice area. James Arnold serves as pastor of both churches, one in St. Paul just 25 minutes up the road from Nice, and the other in Nice itself. James preached at Lake Baldwin Church in June 2015 as part of our effort to highlight our connection with church partners in Europe. He reports that he and his team are safe. They had just completed a week of Kids Club, so were too tired to go to the Bastille Day fireworks.

This weekend we lament yet another tragedy at the hands of darkness and evil. We stand with the French people and the churches in France. Remember to pray for James and his family and team, as well as the two congregations in the Nice area. They are no doubt grappling this weekend for how best to respond. Pray for worship services on Sunday where the hope of the gospel will be preached. Pray for all of those who lost loved ones on the dark night of July 14 in Nice, France.

At LBC we have been forging bonds of partnership with international churches in Europe that are affiliated with International Christian Community. The vision is for each church to be a radiating center of light, bringing the gospel to internationals, immigrants, and in-country nationals. Please be praying for the churches of ICC, both this weekend and next month as they will be included in the August Prayer Initiative. Pray that the hope of Christ and his grace will radiate from the churches in Europe.

"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14)

You can read an update from James Arnold on the ICC Blog.

Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.