Welcome back to another episode of five minutes in church history. On this episode we are talking

about the angel of the reformation. Do you know who that is? Well, if you give up, I'll be glad to tell you.

It is Pierre Verde. He was born in 1511. He grew up in a little village

just about 50 miles north of Geneva. This is French-speaking Switzerland. His father was a tailor and noticed his son's pension for studying and his son's interest

in theology and religion, so he set young Pierre off to study at the University of Paris.

He was sent there to study to become a Roman Catholic

priest but while he was there he was exposed to the doctrines of the Reformation

into the Gospel and while there he was converted he was brought from darkness into the knowledge of the faith.

After his study at Paris he needed to leave there to escape persecution and he made his way back to his hometown.

Well at this time his hometown was in a total uproar and turmoil and conflict

between the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church and the new teachings of the Reformation.

And Guillaume Ferrell, he plays a role in the Swiss Reformation, certainly a role in Calvin's life,

while he also plays a role in the life of Pierre.

Vere, he convinced Verei to stand up and preach in his hometown and Vere did it.

He preached his first sermon there in 1531.

He was all of 20 years old.

Immediately that sermon and his subsequent preaching had an impact.

So I guess Farrell's instincts were right.

Vire was the right man for the job.

Well, as we look at Vire's career as a reformer, we can mention four things.

First, he suffered for the gospel.

At one point, Vire was attacked by a monk with a sword.

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