Our update this month begins with an apology for having missed out on giving you a May update! Life and ministry got busier, it seems, during the lockdown due to the pandemic than under otherwise normal circumstances.
Speaking of the coronavirus pandemic, as perhaps most now know, Italy has come out of the critical lockdown phase and we are now slowly returning to work and movement outside of the home. There is still much caution being advocated from the government and media in spite of the lifting of restrictions. Some respite and relief from the previous tension is nonetheless felt and very welcome!
We thank the Lord for His providential working through our lives and ministry during the crisis. ITA experienced much grace. Our pastoral and biblical training for the church continued with increasing pace. Scheduling online classes, teaching online, and meetings, and more meetings through Zoom technology filled up the days at home.
Much praise goes to our extended team of national/local professors at ITA, particularly Gianluca Pollutri (based in Florence), Massimo Mollica, and Matthew Johnston (both based in Genoa) who led the ministry through long hours of online classroom instruction.
These efforts gradually grow ITA more and more into a sought after biblically faithful Italian resource for the church in Italy.
One of the historic challenges for training has been the building of trust with local churches in-country. Academics (biblical doctrines founded upon accurate interpretation of the text) are vital and distinguish ITA.
At the same time, character, integrity, appreciation for existing ministries, ministers, and churches in Italy, and the cultivation of these relationships makes an even greater difference. This is ITA’s longer haul work here.
The most significant news the month of May witnessed happened on the last day and Sunday of May.
The Bible Church of Messina, home of ITA, gathered again for Lord’s Day worship in a new location in the city with a new pastor, teaching pastor, Sebastian Mendez. Much can be said simply on this event alone that could fill pages of ITA chronicles.
Never would we have imagined when the work began in Messina in 2011 that after 9 years our training, by God’s grace, would produce several faithful men to lead the church as local leadership. Sebastian is one such man. Please continue to pray for him and his wife Mersia and for their ministry in Messina.
Finally, for this update, please continue to pray for the future of ITA along with the Gravino family. By mid-July of this year, we will be in Rome Lord willing. This transition will begin a significant new chapter in the training ministry of ITA along with our family life.