Images & Words by Aedan Arnot – https://aedanarnot.substack.com/
No one could have prepared me for what this trip would reveal. In many ways, it would be opening a floodgate and that there would be no turning back.
Going into this trip I had invited everyone to partner with me in prayer for:
- The gospel to be proclaimed with clarity and hearts prepared to receive the word.
- Safety and health for all outreach events and children’s summer camps.
- Hearts willing to share their lives for testimonials and for Christ to be glorified.
- Logistics for the trip.
All of these prayers were answered and in a landslide of testimony I witnessed the LORD’s working and faithfulness to those who love Him.
It’s inaccurate to discuss any of these ministries without talking about the power, grace, and pursuing love of God. He sustains and fuels the work that is being done to further His Kingdom in Italy. Each of these ministries run at incredible capacities and are evidence of the unwavering faithfulness of God.
Selflessly, these ministries serve the people of Italy and invite them into relationship with Jesus and desire to make His name known.
Currently, Italy is undergoing tremendous changes. Thousands migrate daily from the Middle East and Northern Africa and arrive in the Southern regions of Italy undocumented. Many are in need physically and spiritually. These ministries are being the hands and feet of Christ by serving where they can, and trains and equips others to share the Gospel to these unreached.
The Ministries I connected with this trip were:
Abortivi’s // KoCo Church
Francesco (Father) and Francesca (Daughter) look towards the town of Fornovo. // Shot On Canon EOS R
The Abortivi family is local to Fornovo di Taro, which sits within the Emilia-Romagna valley, a province of Parma that hosts beautiful landscapes, rolling mountains, and the Taro River.
The Abortivi family is a shining light within this region. They each have been given spiritual giftings that uniquely encourage the church and coordinate the body of Christ to work together. The Word of God dwells deeply within them and from this love, they have a united heart to selflessly serve and disciple others.
Francesco pastors KoCo Church and is the international director for ACCI.
Alessia is a physical therapist for children in Fornovo.
Giulio works at a church in London, UK.
Francesca is a student, studying to become a Doctor in Parma.
These roles are all avenues for them doing ministry work and sharing the love of God.
While visiting with the Abortivi’s, I acquired cultural context and was presented with insights that gave light to circumstances ongoing within Italy. This time with them was crucial for the remaining trip.
English Sport Camp in Torre Pellice
Caleb directs daily activities for the campers. // Shot on Canon EOS R
This year, an English camp was hosted for roughly 150 kids within the community of Torre Pellice. Kids from the ages of 5-15 years old enthusiastically participated in:
1. Sports: Soccer, American Football, Baseball, Ultimate Frisbee
2. Crafts: Painting, Bracelet Making, Drawing, etc.
3. English Class: Campers practice new learned words by acting them out.
4. Music Class: Campers practice the English they’ve learned by singing hymns.
5. Breakout Groups: Campers break out into groups, discuss daily devotionals, and pray over their time together.
This camp goes beyond educating children in English and sports. Its mission is to give hope to the community of the Pellice Valley by lifting the name of Jesus, breaking the dead chains of religion, and making His name known so that children and families would receive God’s love and find the life giving freedom found in relationship with Jesus Christ.
While the campers participate in activities throughout the week, volunteers dedicate time together each day for prayer over the campers. These prayers consisted of asking God to intervene in the broken situations of the children’s lives and for Christ to reveal Himself and be received into their hearts.
Years before the start of this camp, groups had visited this town, being aware of its spiritual depravity, and started faithfully praying for the community. This camp, in more than one way, has been living proof of the power of prayer.
Camp Leaders & other ACCI missionaries involved: Eliseo & Paula Guadagno, Caleb & Eva Earle, Robert & Lara Vitter, Fabian & Stefania Lorenz, Iz Holiday
Marcia della Gioia
Thousands gathered to participate in the March of Joy. // Shot on Canon EOS R
Every year, churches across Milan gather to evangelize together. This year they met for an event called Marcia della Gioia – “March of Joy”. This event is focused on making the name of Jesus known and presenting the Gospel clearly. Over 2,500 people participated in the event.
Most Italians, even though being baptized as Catholic, do not have a personal relationship with Christ. For most, church is a social event to attend and nothing more. The idea of God being personal is foreign.
The March of Joy began at a library outside of the city center and finished at the Duomo where the Gospel message was presented. Hundreds joined in song and dance on the streets, declaring the powerful name of Jesus.
The joy was contagious – dozens were waving balloons, playing instruments, and smiling with face-paint. Several wore inflatable costumes and held decorative signs.
Dozens of onlookers (many confused) gathered along the streets. No doubt the name of Jesus was at least put into question by those observing. If anyone was within proximity to this March, it was unavoidable to look and see what was happening.
The powerful name of Jesus was made known.
REM Ministries
Salvatore drives the coffee bus for ministry in Biella, Italy. // Shot on Canon EOS R
Arriving in Milan, I participated in the Marcia della Gioia, where I was introduced to Salvatore and his wife Francesca. Salvatore & Francesca lead REM Ministries, which is focused on reaching the unreached in an itinerant fashion.
They have two primary ministries that accomplish this mission: Missione Mobile & Bike Bibbia.
Missione Mobile is a bus ministry started in Milan in 2014 that functions as a coffee and library bus. The vision was to see 8,500 towns within Italy reached with testimony of the Gospel. This vision has grown since. There are now buses in Portugal and in the Balkan area, as well as a sail boat that charters individuals across the Adriatic.
The focus of this bus ministry is to pioneer, impact the city, and mobilize the church. There are additional activities outside of this, such as singing for the kids, counseling, evangelizing campaigns, and humanitarian work. This ministry supports the church and helps create testimonies.
Bike Bibbia is a bike ministry that acts as a mobile library that people evangelize from.
Both ministries utilizes all tools available to reach all points, open opportunities to reach people of all kinds, and to give opportunity for an interaction to evangelize.
Missione Mobile & Bike Bibbia has reached 300 of these 8,500 towns. Within each town, there are churches that supports the work of REM Ministries. For those that surrender their lives to Christ, they are able to connect with a local church and be supported by a community.
REM’s desire is to see the Great Commission fulfilled.
SINAI Ministries
Computer courses are taught to refugees. // Shot on Canon EOS R
Sinai is a ministry operated by a family based in Northern Italy that runs dozens of operations; a few of them being English camps, computer courses, and bicycle repairs. Their ministry primarily operates in sensitive capacities year round. This work is imperative and is best remaining under the radar.
Being in the Northernmost part of Italy, their placement is conducive for interactions with refugees. Thousands flee daily from the Middle East and parts of Africa, and these individuals risk everything based on a rumor that life will be better in Europe. Many arrive in Italy without the ability to enter into the workforce – having no documentation, lack of education, or unable to speak the language. The outcome is displacement. This is where Sinai steps in to help.
Having fled from persecution, the family running Sinai found asylum in Italy in 2013. This in many ways was God preparing and placing them into the ministry they are in today.
The LORD has been sufficient for this family and provides in incredible ways for the work being done.
Too many committed and fruitful missionaries find it difficult to raise support in their own country. This fund will allow a missionary to have a starting base to begin ministry. By giving a small amount of money every month you are investing in people who are proven laborers for the Gospel, brothers and sisters with a real heart for the lost and for the advancement of God’s Kingdom, in places where the Gospel still needs a strong voice. In some cases these funds will be matched by local donors.
With the help of ACCI, host a foreign missionary for a short period of time. We will help you organize the tour and fund the first trip. Let him or her join you at church, meet your friends, know your country. A short visit can change your life and the life of another servant of God.