This month at ITA we look back on September and ahead to what lies in wait!
Perhaps closest to our heart right now, and propelling our ministry drive in Rome, is the work at what we affectionately call our Roman theater house, which is actually called “T” with the T standing for acting or acTing.
In a personal aside for the moment on the subject, Marco, the owner of the theater, and I had a difficult exchange in June before the summer break. It was rather unexpected but he had just returned from a “spiritual retreat” with a local Catholic church prior to our time together. The retreat had apparently charged him up because he challenged me in the meeting to be more ecumenical in my involvement at the theater.
Disappointed by the request, and general direction of the conversation, I attempted with as much grace and wisdom, then and there, to redirect the discussion to the importance of the Gospel. He clearly demonstrated a hardening to the truth that was not manifest up until that point. I saw our work at the theater suddenly flash before my eyes, passing away, while I listened to him speak, and prayed silently the whole time. Thankfully, our meeting ended in continued friendship, with Marco even expressing his desire to pursue his exposure to the Bible teaching done at the T. Praise God. Please continue to pray for him.
With the above said, the classes have begun anew, and it is as exciting as ever! We have a small but steady group attending every first and third Sunday night of the month. These are all believers from other churches in the city right now, men and women who recognize their need for biblical doctrine.
After having gone through some teaching on God, our time is now focused on looking at Christ, as we move slowly through systematic theology. The instruction ushers forth critical worldview/contemporary issues as the Scriptures uphold God and Christ as sovereign over the inhabitants of the earth, doing according to His will in heaven and earth (Dan 4:35).
The location is so appropriate for that specific truth. Beyond ecumenical influences, the theater is also a meeting point for Yoga (weekly classes) and more universalist ideas. It is a crossroads, in other words, of religion blended with philosophy, art, and mysticism. As a missionary friend who recently attended our gathering said, coming to grips with all that happens at the theater, “this is a veritable Babel.” We could stretch that comment and add that we’re in something similar to the Areopagus or Mars Hill. This is very thought provoking when one considers where the Lord has led ITA in Rome.
We are so grateful that through it all another faithful family has joined the ministry of ITA in Rome to be of assistance at such a critical time as this. Cesare Albanesi, recent Master’s Seminary graduate, with wife Melissa, and four small children, is now involved in full-time teaching and developing curriculum for our current online classes. There is a sweet fellowship between our families that we’re very thankful for. The Albanesi’s are also present at our Sunday night meetings at the T.
The work at ITA presses forward! In the upcoming months, we look forward to sharing more developments on the ministry, particularly as it reaches Rome with sound doctrine that instructs both churches and new locations (unreached thus far like the T).