Ever wondered what God might be doing amongst the musicians of France? French record executive Pascal Portoukalian surveys the mysterious (to non-French speakers at least) world of FRENCH CHRISTIAN MUSIC.

BLACK GOSPEL MUSIC

At the end of World War II, the French discovered African-American music thanks to the US Marines stationed in the country and there began France's long time love affair with black gospel music. The Golden Gate Quartet, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Mahalia Jackson all performed in France to rapturous acclaim. By the '70s black American gospel artists were even living in Paris with the capital city providing a suitable home base for gospel celebrities like John Littleton and Liz Mac Comb. Although often gospel's repertoire has remained entrenched in standards like "When The Saints", "Jericho" and "O Happy Day" gospel has remained a popular dish for French palates. The impact of the music from professional gospel groups and from the exuberant congregations from Africa and the West Indies has meant that in France today there are literally thousands of choirs.

France's mainstream music stars have taken advantage of the French public's taste for the sound of gospel while the more prominent group of French-based gospel performers include Marcel Boungou (also known as Em'bee), New Gospel Family, A4 Gospel Accappella,Gospel Dream, Les Palata Singers, Les Chérubins de Sarcelles, Freedom Opéra Gospel, Gospel Pour 100 Voix, Gospel Voices, Amazing Gospel, Gospel Sans Frontières, The Black and White Gospel Singers, Accord and on and on.

That then is the briefest of overviews of France's Christian music scene. Now here are a few short pen portraits of some of the leading Christian music artists in France.

Jean-Jacques Leprince

NICOLAS TERNISIEN

With his first two albums, 'Je Fléchis le Genou' and 'A Notre Dieu', Nicolas has conquered France's CCM market. His ministry is praise and worship, which he would describe as "a life-style, a means to tell God I love you." As a former student in theology and as a trainee pastor at a church in Dieppe, Normandie, Nicolas teaches on praise and worship as well as being an accomplished worship leader. He sees worship as being one of the keys of the nation's spiritual awakening: "My vision is to see my nation turning its face to God. To spread a fire rapidly, you must light up furnaces in as many places as possible. Now, it is the time to unite and raise Jesus in the biggest French cities in order to blow up the barriers that prevent God's blessing from flowing."

RIJA

When one encounters Rija's humility and kindness, it is easy to forget that in Madagascar, his mother island, he fills stadiums for his concerts. Rija Rasolondraibe's parents were both Christians and musicians with his father being a composer and a choir leader. In 1990, Rija won a talent contest which made him well known in Madagascar. From that point on, everything moved quickly; radio, TV and newspaper interviews building his reputation. One year later he left Madagascar for Europe and it was there he genuinely met Jesus Christ in his own personal experience. After four albums sung in Malgasy, Rija was signed by the Christian label Latitude 116, for which he recorded in French 'Quelque Chose D'éternel'. Rija says, "I'm planning to bring praise and worship to the whole French-speaking world. Our God is a God of joy, dance and of rejoicing!" Rija's worship subtly mixes exotic and western rhythms while his sensitive vocals have clearly connected with thousands of listeners.

PAT BERNING

Pat's origins go back to South Africa. At the age of 15 he began to play guitar and, after his conversion, studied theology, remaining with Jeunesse Pour Christ (Youth For Christ) for 11 years. Pat has lived in France for 15 years and currently resides in Marseille. Down the years he's released five albums; 'Terre Etrangère', 'Aux Uns Les Chars', 'Legacy', 'Psaumes' and the last one, 'Résurrection', issued in February 2003. Pat is one of the Christian artists the French like best. The songs performed in his folk song/ballad style accompanied by elegant electric guitar deal most often with encouragement. Pat also explores texts from the Psalms and the New Testament. He sings mainly in French, but includes some material in English and even Zulu. Carefully written, always with a poetic bent, his lyrics demonstrate how his multicultural background brings considerable depth. His last album in fact was recorded in France, in Switzerland and in South Africa, with local musicians. Alongside his musical gift, Pat is also a much praised painter who illustrates his album sleeves himself.

JEAN-JACQUES LEPRINCE

For 20 years, Jean-Jacques has travelled tirelessly throughout France, Belgium, Switzerland, Lebanon and the Caribbean offering a unique brand of evangelism geared for children. His activities in professional animation have given Jean-Jacques the opening in public and state schools in France to tell, more or less openly, the Gospel message. This singer, musician, ventriloquist and balloons sculptor has already recorded four CDs, as well as a video and a DVD. Jean- Jacques last production, issued in April 2003, told the stories of Samuel's and Joseph.

NEW GOSPEL FAMILY

A Parisian aggregation of a hundred singers and musicians New Gospel Family brings together members from different generations. The project is the brainchild of Edgard Vandenbroucque who has subtly mixed traditional black gospel with R&B and African styles. NGF sing in French, English and African and since their formation in June 2001 have performed more than 100 concerts, several in Fleury Mérogis, France's biggest prison. They have also played one of France's most prestigious concert halls, Paris' Zénith. The choir's last album 'Live an Zénith de Paris' has received mainstream distribution through FNAC, Carrefour. The mass media are interested in New Gospel Family, the choir appearing on national TV and being featured in various newspapers.