https://www.missionmilan.org/updates daily 0.75 2026-03-04 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/march-2026 monthly 0.5 2026-03-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772621736768-VFEC1AYH6388WF1V7NN2/Battesimo1.jpg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772621756647-TLOA0HRL0X6D3VL96EO2/Battesimo8.jpg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772621770488-MO1UI9PEC2ANKLA23LRV/Battesimo7.jpg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772621784436-F91ZT8TRCZTPZ371VCZK/Battesimo2.jpg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772621803455-K3LDJ6900HMY4Q4DZ0S7/Battesimo9.jpg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772621814889-85PMM01BM5URJXRIV8HL/Battesimo5.jpg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772621835709-2ZCBSAQ5AOQCPXHYAUNR/Battesimo4.jpg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772622166583-Q4II21SXNYYWDFBR27CC/WhatsApp+Image+2026-02-22+at+13.27.22+%289%29.jpeg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/b9766cfe-d433-4a56-95ed-d6b9dcbf71b2/Francesco+e+Maria.jpg Updates - March 2026 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772622308465-IV086BYY21P7AUA4UA7O/WhatsApp+Image+2026-03-01+at+15.09.45+%283%29.jpeg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772622316030-M6OBKQ62UHHLTK730TJT/WhatsApp+Image+2026-03-01+at+15.09.45.jpeg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772622323042-YJO6FPJ5BHJ1OQRVEWSX/WhatsApp+Image+2026-03-01+at+15.09.45+%281%29.jpeg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772622330082-IDYV4QR7FMHSMGJB0XN7/WhatsApp+Image+2026-03-01+at+15.09.45+%282%29.jpeg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772622359353-QFJVJKO0VE2B8MBY08LD/WhatsApp+Image+2026-03-01+at+22.23.45.jpeg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772622365992-NBWNK4U4THLKIKJQ1FZ2/WhatsApp+Image+2026-03-01+at+22.23.46.jpeg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772622369316-8JNA4XLYALLEGPORSR41/WhatsApp+Image+2026-03-01+at+22.23.46+%281%29.jpeg Updates - March 2026 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1772622372579-A813NXW9ZJ2FEQVN90EW/WhatsApp+Image+2026-03-01+at+22.25.10.jpeg Updates - March 2026 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/february-2026 monthly 0.5 2026-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/a1efd143-77f0-4b9d-b845-00fc31394cb9/MM+update+1.png Updates - February 2026 - Make it stand out The Reformed and Presbyterian ministers and elders who gathered to pray, talk, and reflect on God’s Word together for the common goal of forming one denomination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/33ca765b-5296-4e09-8a5e-c8afb1e8849f/MM+newsletter+2.jpg Updates - February 2026 - Make it stand out This year’s speakers at the CTRM. From left to right: Rev. Vincenzo Coluccia, Rev. Gavino Fioretti, Dr. Zachary Purvis, Rev. Michael Brown, Mr. Davide Ibrahim (PhD. cand.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/4c4b3bf0-476c-4bfb-b4b9-e23430bbd33b/MM+update+3.jpg Updates - February 2026 - Make it stand out The “Ad Fontes” team: pastors Gavino Fioretti, Mike Brown, and Vincenzo Coluccia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/28dc3be3-2cc1-4311-917d-ea9fae2d81c4/MM+update+4.jpg Updates - February 2026 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/e3462313-f847-4a83-8581-0cc85d10f33c/MM+update+5.jpg Updates - February 2026 - Make it stand out Some of the pastors (and one pastor’s wife) from the Naples area who gathered for the leadership seminar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/7c26ade9-4a5e-4e00-8659-5300ab3c2f80/MM+update+6.jpg Updates - February 2026 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/may-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/246b28d2-9ea8-44a9-b840-9a974d8ad628/Pope.jpeg Updates - May 2025 - Make it stand out Robert Francis Prevost Martínez (Leo XIV), the new Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/169d7d67-dd34-4056-acf6-f3dbb64c0da3/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-03+at+10.42.06.jpeg Updates - May 2025 - Make it stand out Members of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia from Milan and Chiesa Presbiteriana di Pistoia who attended the 2025 family retreat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681250998-EP6JHIYA8ZV3NRQMZXEB/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-02+at+20.23.56.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681282166-3TLRACT3YUIP1R12FSFF/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-02+at+20.25.11+%281%29.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681301979-REHB0J5PJT7JH5UFE9YI/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-02+at+20.25.10.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681325430-CUQYQ1EO4YBBG1QVN5X7/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-03+at+09.40.59.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681341550-S8OLUS8YU1LCYGYK5L69/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-03+at+09.02.48+%281%29.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681373200-HAFWVSX601BD2GSF6041/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-02+at+20.24.06+%282%29.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681384791-5TXB7QCK3B7GDU6TEMLW/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-04+at+20.53.29+%282%29.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681397551-VGFCD6J89V7T7CHB5P0Z/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-04+at+20.53.29+%281%29.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681419568-UF3MJLAMD2GSPZSHS223/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-04+at+20.53.31+%281%29.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681446552-E58LOPR8VO1QF20EYIHY/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-02+at+23.14.55.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681475720-1A1LXPQV9TR5J6GAYTXN/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-02+at+20.23.47.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681526720-TD8X4DOZRQZ5KLCJ64NV/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-03+at+09.24.09.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681585519-1H7TWKWIOCPONDPAN294/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-03+at+12.08.11.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681631092-ZBGI45GNCJS29QLF64DF/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-02+at+22.41.14.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681750811-RU0OCJXFDIA22TP96MEV/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-03+at+11.58.12.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747681780885-O2ASJPMURHAZXLC6EBSN/WhatsApp+Image+2025-05-03+at+20.39.22.jpeg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/dd9ad785-de8d-4feb-bfd2-fb6c0760a6db/IMG_3279.jpg Updates - May 2025 - CONFERENCE IN RAVENNA On Saturday, May 10, I had the opportunity to speak at a conference on eschatology, sponsored by a Reformed Baptist church - Chiesa Solo Cristo - in the historic city of Ravenna. It was an encouraging day of Christian fellowship and biblical teaching. My friend Rev. Nazareno Ulfo, pastor of Chiesa Sola Grazia in Caltanissetta, Sicily, and I gave a total of four sessions on different aspects of eschatology according to Scripture. In my first lesson, I spoke on the eschatology of the Old Testament, and in the second lesson I explained the meaning of the millennium in Revelation 20. About forty people from the surrounding area were in attendance. It is wonderful to see such interest in God’s Word. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747682156481-2AHAGH98S0E1YF7TPSLS/TGCI+1.jpg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747682161522-C96Y67K8FJWQC6F45L22/TGCI+2.jpg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747682167055-OXM42HQLWHB7E9LFJHIC/TGCI+3.jpg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747682175281-67QM6BZCXI25DDGL7BYI/TGCI+4.jpg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747682179176-W5TYH8Z3JOKGID5WX3NG/TGCI+5.jpg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747682184711-00SDZ00YEPXEY38PL6QG/TGCI+6.jpg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747682191361-BKC1TJWEYBLWLX06HKYL/TGCI+7.jpg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1747682194718-NAMJFHFZZRP4T0VZ81NV/TGCI+8.jpg Updates - May 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/147c5907-2186-4ab6-92c1-1816c1e8be17/Juni.jpg Updates - May 2025 - SAYING “ARRIVEDERCI” TO SOMEONE SPECIAL One of the blessings of ministry in Milan is the number of international students who attend our church. We are thankful for the time we get to spend with these young people and the opportunity to be a blessing to them while they far from home. Usually at some point, however, we have to say goodbye, once they finish their studies or move on to other things. This month, we had to say goodbye to our dear Jueun Moon or “Junie”, as we all call her. Junie attended our church while completing graduate studies at Milan’s prestigious Brera art school and later working as a designer for the tech company LG. Engaged to be married to a young Christian man, she has returned to her native Korea. For the past two years, Junie’s sweet demeanor and fervant love for the Lord has been a blessing and example to us all. We pray that the Lord will guide Junie and future husband, strengthening them in their faith, hope, and love. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/march-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/78bab719-1829-46df-a7cd-203a028522eb/milan-3245969_1280.jpg Updates - March 2025 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1741945798612-0ZOROK4F1KVJRHIQXIQH/WhatsApp+Image+2025-01-05+at+13.28.40+%283%29.jpeg Updates - March 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1741945719818-JJHBTK3G2H2EWGXWS17Y/WhatsApp+Image+2025-01-05+at+13.28.40+%281%29.jpeg Updates - March 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1741945807122-BC7QCC32MO1XPA7NB9IK/WhatsApp+Image+2025-01-05+at+13.28.41+%283%29.jpeg Updates - March 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1741945692871-ZFC6Q6J5S3EDFKF9HYFJ/WhatsApp+Image+2025-01-05+at+13.28.41+%282%29.jpeg Updates - March 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1740837821982-QLTIMVF9I9XKDY7D2SLA/2d0a9bae-f322-4dbf-a175-6b7833831f8a.JPG Updates - March 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1740837819569-1VIUDRH2Z3EAADMLIBAP/7ac57952-e1b2-48cd-973a-b8a5f40ff01c.JPG Updates - March 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1740837817254-41LAOJ2PBBXJJDDNK8NC/864e2330-5a01-4fb8-844a-5cd2644a5da2.JPG Updates - March 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1740837812942-YJ3S0X4TOMAGRQSTVDI0/IMG_2553.jpeg Updates - March 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1741947225999-N2Q7X0E8AJ98AXR3K7PH/WhatsApp+Image+2025-03-02+at+17.56.34+%287%29.jpeg Updates - March 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1741947151662-RP6OF7Q8EB2KI1LUHS1R/WhatsApp+Image+2025-03-02+at+17.56.33+%287%29.jpeg Updates - March 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1741946820870-WCYL0SL43N297OTLZ055/WhatsApp+Image+2025-03-02+at+17.56.33+%289%29.jpeg Updates - March 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1741947283450-9QARWL9SOR2EFZ6NQ7EH/WhatsApp+Image+2025-03-02+at+17.56.34+%286%29.jpeg Updates - March 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/ac60f25e-f795-402c-a027-ce05c6a36a7d/WhatsApp+Image+2025-02-26+at+17.13.30.jpeg Updates - March 2025 - Janie continues to lead the monthly “Ladies’ Book Club”. They are currently reading J.I. Packer’s classic, Knowing God, which is available in Italian. The group has become a fellowship of spiritually mature women. We give God thanks for their selfless serivce to the congregation and their example of devotion and godliness. They are a blessing to the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/cdba8dfb-601e-43f6-85e9-ef8a45046f97/Screenshot+2025-03-14+at+11.16.25.png Updates - March 2025 - In the providence of God, our church has become involved in an outreach to the many arabic-speaking immigrants in Milan. our Consistory has developed a relationship with Pastor Shawkat Rezkalla, a missionary of the Presbyterian Church in Egypt. He and his family have been attending our church for about a year. His mission is to evangelize arabic-speaking Muslims in Milan and plant a church to make disciples of Jesus Christ. During the winter, our Consistory invited him to use our building on Sunday evenings. We give God thanks that a new work has begun! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/45489d0b-795d-4f26-a747-5eabcb4eb15d/Screenshot+2025-02-06+at+10.03.01.png Updates - March 2025 - Our weekly podcast “Ad Fontes” continues to grow and be a blessing. I greatly enjoy working with my friends and colleagues: Rev. Vincenzo Coluccia and Rev. Gavino Fioretti. The show is available on Spotify, Apple, and Youtube. In addition, our church Youtube channel, where we post all of our sermons, now has over 1,300 subscribers and regularly receives hundreds - sometimes thousands - of views every week. We give God thanks for this opportunity to reach people throughout Italy with the gospel and solid Reformed teaching. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/december-2024 monthly 0.5 2024-12-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/abb19ad7-fd39-4d6f-93be-5d6314b4e244/IMG_2066.jpeg Updates - December 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/11d24c52-0863-423e-8e8a-ac506760932e/IMG_2129.jpeg Updates - December 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/a1befdf5-a086-435b-b404-43b1cbd68f7b/d80816f1-61a5-4b95-8b0c-6b3f3624a40b.jpg Updates - December 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/5afc5819-e00e-4b77-ab6b-937ce7f52184/c5d00dec-ac03-4702-9ec9-e37fa4e11872.jpg Updates - December 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/a81866f9-8510-4ad2-b624-f24f2139df6f/5A3E0D4F-1E26-4BC0-B7E7-6FC8DB6B618B.jpg Updates - December 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1e54c9bf-2ed3-47b1-ada4-da1b1afb61a6/IMG_1473.jpeg Updates - December 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/october-2024 monthly 0.5 2024-10-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/dc4b6146-49f6-492c-b4c2-33c9a2cbd6d5/IMG_1694.jpeg Updates - October 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/ebc75daa-9764-428e-b8a5-cb0891263b1f/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-23+at+10.13.36+%281%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838285372-KA2FNQK8WFFMOMULARCQ/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-21+at+08.02.48+%286%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838297688-S1GX74VWZ13BSZ175J2F/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-23+at+10.14.00.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838305077-Q4VNWSHAY75AAZA04A0N/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-21+at+08.02.48+%285%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838307397-A9AQGQ7YLO2YAJV6TN08/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-23+at+10.13.49+%281%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838496566-K4F0957JTDLGTYBIM0XR/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-21+at+08.02.48+%2816%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838506060-PX0IT26TE3ULV7KWFPVN/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-21+at+08.02.48+%282%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838517865-3HZ1XEK0SR5AEZ7JTT29/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-21+at+08.02.48+%2811%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838521607-QIOV1ESFAZ2705PX5QL5/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-21+at+08.02.48+%2819%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838532806-SCBZC4QC0Q44YTVTIUXY/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-21+at+08.02.48+%284%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838582261-KB8RCRC2H4SKVGE9RMQ2/CTRM+24+-+1.jpg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838583845-42JGAQ0MKSUBDA1XWZ42/CTRM+24+-+2.jpg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838587003-D8YYWG5DI5O5EMB0YAT6/CTRM+24+-+3.jpg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838624170-PCNX1VVR9LRAVECO7KL3/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-21+at+08.02.48+%2814%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838649528-1W8ZTJZX2T6964QQNIMR/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-21+at+08.02.48+%2815%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838658042-IMV6KV7ZPZ1HLCG7NEW4/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-21+at+08.02.48+%2810%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729838716229-2T9NGS288EC24RLJ7GU5/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-21+at+08.02.48+%2817%29.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/082d22a7-f682-45a5-9302-2dc94a55003a/WhatsApp+Image+2024-10-23+at+10.13.35.jpeg Updates - October 2024 - Make it stand out Pastors Gavino Fioretti, Vincenzo Coluccia, and Michael Brown https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729882643027-ZJWV387QAIBL057JTU3O/D7FBD388-07E4-4D51-93E4-79B82132E5DC.jpg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729882651566-GLC9A832S93XS7BXS95F/IMG_1528.jpeg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729882654206-SGO7ONCPHOV2IN7WG94F/4096E05A-EB19-4DCD-B700-C7F9F17C2569.jpg Updates - October 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1729882656504-OY4BFKWSHCHO881MDY4E/6997F3FE-1E5F-4CB0-9ED4-71EBB8A41901.jpg Updates - October 2024 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/july-2024 monthly 0.5 2024-07-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/d3ceed35-364e-428c-b390-b94ae8f9759a/WhatsApp+Image+2024-04-08+at+07.56.20.jpeg Updates - August 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1722013750972-VYLHYH4TBEXTMXZVIOY4/WhatsApp+Image+2024-04-08+at+07.56.21+%285%29.jpeg Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1722013748139-ZH8RXYFPDKB4MEAYGQE0/WhatsApp+Image+2024-04-08+at+07.56.21+%283%29.jpeg Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1722013773004-1PCH96YI8JUNAWB6BCYF/P1066677.jpg Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1722014122345-RRVCJT19SYBGK9A96RCN/P1066676.jpg Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/b1fbe095-32a5-4830-b407-f39bcdd02779/IMG_0525+%281%29.jpg Updates - August 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1722430729155-3RPGLOX8DMZSY86FKQ1C/WhatsApp+Image+2024-05-03+at+22.45.04+%281%29.jpeg Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1722430744952-WK6C8QQL28236AXK4SBZ/WhatsApp+Image+2024-05-03+at+22.45.04.jpeg Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1722430755298-K15LRIN1ZOPZW9H83YTW/IMG_0520.jpg Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/6b610353-6def-4d1b-b04c-319d48f535f3/WhatsApp+Image+2024-03-24+at+19.11.41.jpeg Updates - August 2024 - DEATH OF A MEMBER In March, we mourned the death of a member: Pina Bellitto, 76, the wife of deacon Tonino Bellitto. Pina and Tonino were married in 1967 and were blessed with three children and five grandchildren. For the past 19 years, Pina suffered from Alzheimer’s. Nevertheless, here joy in the Lord and love for the Word of God continued even amid her illness. Although we mourn her death, we rejoice that she is with her Savior and awaits the resurrection of the body. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/4898eb60-4579-48c1-97b2-266f1d387438/IMG_0611.jpg Updates - August 2024 - REV. MIKE CUNEO PREACHES IN MILAN In May, we were blessed by the ministry of Rev. Mike Cuneo, PCA missionary to Italy and pastor of Chiesa Riformata del Trasimeno. Pastor Cuneo plays an important role in the development of our future Reformed denomination, Chiesa Presbiteriana e Riformata in Italia. His knowledge of presbyterian polity is very helpful as we continue to work on a church order for the churches in Italy. Pastor Cuneo preached a Christ-centered sermon on David’s kindness to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/ac430bbd-3170-4cb5-bdb6-38e839d4227c/IMG_0346.jpg Updates - August 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1722432233941-89PE89CXXN48CS99MO3D/P1066711.jpg Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1722432237356-YGSRWDF8VIUQRH0OPOPU/P1066716.jpg Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1722432259232-RCLJQU98DIHQZYPEGR3W/IMG_0344.jpg Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/5bc8f9a2-29ca-46e6-a190-86340f9d448f/186efcd0-4d9c-4a7d-a489-5b9ea70889c5.JPG Updates - August 2024 - CONFERENCE IN RAVENNA In May, I had the privilege of serving as a speaker at a conference on preaching that was held by Chiesa Solo Cristo, a small Reformed Baptist church in the historic city of Ravenna. I gave three lectures: “How to Preach Christ-centered Sermons”, “How to Preach Christ from the Old Testament”, and “How to Interpret the Bible.” The fellowship at the conference was very encouraging. I am grateful for the opportunity to strengthen relationships with other Christians and pastors here in Italy, and pray that Christ will be proclaimed all over this country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/baa0282c-b653-413c-a9d8-9354ee7e7b78/87BE163F-7BE4-4AB0-BF0A-5BF044E5634E.JPG Updates - August 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1721921091043-23JYX9ATBASWANP3UVSH/2E3E980A-9CCB-4463-A542-F014ADA08B4B.JPG Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1721921098302-SUH5J4RFSU54R5HK7JO7/IMG_0945.JPG Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1721921112984-9OJ5K7COPUZSD7PDGBXQ/09D99096-FDDC-4763-810A-6C7B111F69C0.JPG Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1722433637167-V6OLACN1F7ZM0RSJ0GD2/40DFFF61-4601-4FB7-BBAE-A58D5D687517.JPG Updates - August 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/3644ec5c-0469-4286-83a4-e32ad094fc27/AD7BEB03-662E-46AF-BA54-02BD27D79C33.jpg Updates - August 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/5f39448b-7962-4a19-b085-aeb8d84b9348/IMG_1018.jpeg Updates - August 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/february-2023-1 monthly 0.5 2024-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/5f7c9203-b38d-482d-be3d-50372b727219/PHOTO-2024-02-25-14-16-29+2.jpg Updates - March 2024 - Ministry of the Word I am happy to share with you that, by God’s grace, the ministry of the Word in Milan continues to flourish. The church seems to be in a season of growth, both numerically and spiritually. As our elders Mimmo and Vittorio often tell me, “Il clima della chiesa è buono” (“the climate of the church is good”). Recently, God has blessed us with several new families and students who are attending regularly. In the past six weeks, the church has been the fullest I have seen since we arrived in 2018. Some Sundays, there are more than 70 people present. I am currently preaching through the Gospel of Luke in our worship service and just concluded a series on the doctrine of the church from the Belgic Confession in our catechism service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1707996358759-33YVSKMZAOS1EHCZFGSB/CAC9750D-5650-4A04-8769-51E03A9CA947.JPG Updates - March 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1710858929934-RIL4LH3TV8M4KXAOKMRF/22E80412-AED5-47C3-8CF1-23F0E3509499.jpg Updates - March 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1710858994177-GZ3FAOM3GT04890ATU3C/D6C36442-4AD0-41C1-BC19-D2A32D5DAF0E.jpg Updates - March 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1710858998363-4ROMUKSUSOG3SMYAP609/FDA8B1B5-8A7D-4E17-AC5E-24FF1ADC12D3.jpg Updates - March 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1710859005393-R8C28DPWGGHF8SLU6QXY/B1F5A764-9F82-4878-8BA3-DA25B8E248A0.jpg Updates - March 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1710859012638-F39WXBOL2D9LSWV3QWCX/4238012D-2760-4E6A-ADB5-2C8516CAD679.jpg Updates - March 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1710859029770-GX9C6L1BLAYUYUA6PV46/IMG_0189.jpeg Updates - March 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1710872699487-74I1ES8ACJZPV5F43WXB/Screenshot%2B2024-03-19%2Bat%2B19.22.24.jpg Updates - March 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1710859046800-82VZBVNOYONT2WQA5AQL/IMG_0186.jpeg Updates - March 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/78dceeb1-2bc0-4a29-8395-eb999a7f469b/PHOTO-2024-03-16-20-12-46.jpg Updates - March 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/3c6d8034-e7d6-4158-bc89-a4331c529642/Screenshot+2024-03-18+at+16.43.29.png Updates - March 2024 - Brothers in Arms One of the things for which I most grateful to God is that I get to serve alongside outstanding leaders in the local church. Elders Vittorio Calderaro and Domenico “Mimmo” Altobelli (pictured above) and deacons Tonino Bellitto, Tony La Leggia, and Arnaldo Mazzola (not pictured) are not only faithful and humble servants, they are my dear friends and men whom I respect and trust. I am thankful that they hold me accountable for my doctrine and behavior, having the love and courage to correct me when I have needed it. I am thankful for their commitment to the mission of the church, always reminding me that it is about proclaiming Christ through the ordinary means of grace. I am thankful for their fidelity to the gospel and the Reformed confessions, helping me to stay on track theologically and not lose focus of Jesus. I am thankful for their willingness to use their gifts for the pastoral care and spiritual wellbeing of the flock, setting us an example of Christlike servant-leadership. I am a blessed man to serve with them! https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/december-2023 monthly 0.5 2023-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/2c948755-b066-4e9e-9a00-3da5e851ce80/WhatsApp+Image+2023-12-23+at+07.19.56+%281%29.jpeg Updates - December 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/b0035901-2411-46f4-a50e-730383c661aa/WhatsApp+Image+2023-12-23+at+08.22.21.jpeg Updates - December 2023 - Ladies’ Book Club Janie continues to lead a monthly ladies’ group. They meet to pray and discuss a book that they have been reading together. In their last meeting, they read Corrie ten Boom’s The Hiding Place, which is available in Italian. We are grateful that these ladies have an opportunity to fellowship outside of Sunday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/cedfd802-e93a-4f6f-ae9d-a96fc29261f4/WhatsApp+Image+2023-12-02+at+17.05.55.jpeg Updates - December 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1703315514244-DYNTSZ0W5YLHK0DTWC13/55bce7de-dd68-434b-8703-61c271eb8f36.jpg Updates - December 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1703315523077-4O7FYL3GW8XY9VUM1OAN/9ebc0f8a-f79e-401d-8f24-c67c09ed46a1.jpg Updates - December 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1703315540846-W6A2J3ZIVQPQ7WK367IG/c2811de1-3d31-424b-9e0b-48d92e458dbf.jpg Updates - December 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1703315641278-RDCST1N6W1HXY58V5LJJ/7f35b636-8a1b-4228-af72-161ec9fad882.jpg Updates - December 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/29879079-e9a9-4fe5-8e84-9fb30559425c/1D707282-6CDC-4623-AEB1-F8667604DDC7.jpg Updates - December 2023 It is hard to believe, but on November 27, Iain turned 18. We are grateful to God for his mercies to our son these past five years. Iain was 12 when we left San Diego and the only home, church, and school that he had ever known. It has not been easy for him, but by God’s grace, Iain has persevered and matured during his teenage years, and continues to walk with the Lord. He is scheduled to graduate from high school in June and has applied to colleges both in the United States and Italy. We pray that the Lord guides him in wisdom in this coming year. Thank you for your prayers for Iain! https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/november-2023 monthly 0.5 2023-11-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1699461796862-YE5R1F636RKL1YJBM71A/IMG_0189.JPG Updates - November 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1699461810984-EDCBB3H5XMB9GSSEQGGN/46499018_2243930062317687_6489761138341838848_n.jpg Updates - November 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1699461821811-SAEMQG9SX3FWWUWMNRN3/CERF-1.jpg Updates - November 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1699462086180-7U7V450P492MT7LFLRM2/IMG_3490.jpg Updates - November 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1699125821129-WF9SGOV0NVSBCDOY5BAB/90F0713E-08BE-4448-9CA5-71C89F4F7E70.jpeg Updates - November 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1699125658445-XY253N5QCFBHANKLHZK6/0CE8B636-2DF7-46E1-8009-E03A3FAC2302.jpeg Updates - November 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1699125723615-XYF2SQYU2XX09MBQ7ZIN/649D6112-22DA-4E55-8000-25D58110A4EA.jpeg Updates - November 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1699462842315-YXXJGAY8GCBYVXI4HAHS/b9ae7486-a909-4e87-9a01-dbbb2237f77c.jpg Updates - November 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/492453d5-8e4f-488a-9bb6-9855aed75a54/IMG_3679.jpeg Updates - November 2023 - Small Group Bible Study Beyond the ordinary ministry of preaching the Bible and teaching catechism on the Lord’s Day, I am leading a monthly small group Bible study in the home of a widow who lives on the southeast side of the city. This is a very godly elderly woman who regularly invites her neighbors to study the Bible and learn about Christianity. There are about ten people who attend, some of whom are unbelievers and are reading the Bible for the very first time. Please pray for this ministry and the souls of those hearing the gospel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/b4459505-4cd7-4b4d-ad8f-dae887232c72/Uomini+del+patto+2.jpeg Updates - November 2023 - ”Men of the Covenant” Meeting We also continue our monthly meeting of “Uomini del Patto” (“Men of the Covenant”), a meeting for the men of church. There are usually around fifteen men, ranging from ages 17 to 85. We are currently reading Tim Keller’s The Reason for God, which was recently translated into Italy. We sing, pray, discuss, and then eat pizza afterward. Please pray for this ministry and the spiritual growth of the men in our church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1699464349430-OYD9928QYBRI6DEUKORL/IMG_3219+2.jpeg Updates - November 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1699464357050-8V80AU7QJDQQ4HP9RBWW/385917995_625906919723527_6774900704686626702_n.jpg Updates - November 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1699464367698-EIS6DNQ5OEVS2ZY0WS3B/IMG_3370.jpeg Updates - November 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1699464374294-QFIND0TC7O3D48BDO972/395371682_3464772800407086_4383699135266454398_n.jpg Updates - November 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/15985a32-bab0-447a-9440-ad25760c7b57/3efcbdef-308f-49eb-a968-22b2f7db8b99.jpg Updates - November 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/4jhc0xcckicpv25rbys1slz14p2bo5 monthly 0.5 2023-09-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1695300382417-E5RZNTGGHKRG9ZX5RH9Q/Andrea+Zanin+2.jpeg Updates - September 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1695300405778-8EF109P2C5KS0AOFPIUV/Screenshot+2023-09-21+at+14.43.07.png Updates - September 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1695300407847-PLC5MQSDVUD78QIS90QD/Andrea+Zanin+3.jpeg Updates - September 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1695300414365-VBEXVM60TMI3DA98TL3R/Andrea+Zanin+4.jpeg Updates - September 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/af44f4f2-9649-4d79-b6ef-c294c55cda51/IFED+1.jpeg Updates - September 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/02d409d9-e287-47a7-9782-02e57878c43d/IMG_3140.jpeg Updates - September 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1695301328987-LCOOXIRUJOBD49X68FFV/IMG_2858.jpeg Updates - September 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1695301334257-FHUCFTSIA9ZFV71KUOHP/IMG_2896.jpeg Updates - September 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1695301339983-6UZKCMRAI8APK7X01TAW/IMG_2991.jpeg Updates - September 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1695301342869-F0TM6PVRQCDY80M5AN9Y/IMG_2814.jpeg Updates - September 2023 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/august-2023 monthly 0.5 2023-08-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1691836051999-94T820I9JSTAEWYG9BIE/IMG_2617.jpeg Updates - August 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1691836055772-0QNHOGHFM7X1J2UNZAOS/IMG_2612.jpeg Updates - August 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1691836064996-DVS5LPEAC9KQ6EIWC1ZH/48f44418-8e7c-4a9e-8f91-fcef4ad6b8de.jpg Updates - August 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1691838539894-5ZRPHXM039676C0UUMMN/IMG_2641.jpeg Updates - August 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/024e2ca0-4d42-40cc-b697-bfc4363581e8/WhatsApp+Image+2023-08-11+at+11.37.32.jpeg Updates - August 2023 JOINT WORSHIP SERVICE Another special feature of Pastor Cochran’s visit to Milan was that on the Sunday he preached at Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia we had a joint worship service with Chiesa Presbiteriana di Legnano, the only other confessional church in Milan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/f672abab-4cb8-485b-8505-a099916f5f92/IMG_2469+2.jpeg Updates - August 2023 - VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA This past month, I had the privilege of traveling to North America to preach and give a presentation on Mission Milan in four URC churches: New Haven URC in Vermont; Living Water URC in Brantford, ON; Rehoboth URC in Hamilton, ON; and Zion URC in Sheffield, ON. In each church, I was warmly received. The interest in Mission Milan among our sister churches in the URCNA is very encouraging. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1691775663385-OB4CJDLEU8G31ILHPZD8/IMG_2487.jpeg Updates - August 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1691775711319-6AHLG7FAP6TJKOV0SLJ3/IMG_2536.jpeg Updates - August 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1691775744929-E7ET279YIQKPPNV0QNKI/IMG_2352.jpeg Updates - August 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1691775865025-SJ897DPLM4ZZY3MQW9CI/IMG_2585.jpeg Updates - August 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/38e46bfc-5b23-4c82-98c1-f639a75e5c39/356834445_1760277124375522_7659138152434927747_n.jpg Updates - August 2023 IAIN GOES TO RYS We are very grateful that, while we were in the United States, Iain was able to attend the 2023 national convention of Reformed Youth Services, held at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. There were about 850 kids from various URC churches around the United States. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/02f44044-5ffb-4b17-a412-811aa783e6c0/357119515_926291745103439_705745423353286980_n.jpg Updates - August 2023 - Iain came back very encouraged, having made several friends his age who are serious about their faith. He was able to reconnect and spend time with several kids he knew from Christ URC in Santee, California. He also appreciated the workshops and sessions, and says that he wants to attend next year if possible. Praise God! https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/e2ai5r0fb4bxd5ki7ypo72c5ejj1qb monthly 0.5 2023-07-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/d05dedb2-dcc8-4812-af29-05b2a12f2a09/Borvan+preaching.jpg Updates - July 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/d5715923-6c09-468f-a11a-7ba095bd5898/Dan+Borvan+visit+2023.jpg Updates - July 2023 - Make it stand out From left to right: Elder Vittorio Calderaro, Rev. Dr. Dan Borvan, Elder Mimmo Altobelli, Pastor Mike https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/cf728f05-ea0c-4748-8f60-7c04c0040ced/oscar+and+anita+2.jpg Updates - July 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/a58a7fd9-43d7-40b4-8a75-074648dda32e/A8B2BEDF-7C94-4503-9DCB-C8423E35838D.jpg Updates - July 2023 - Make it stand out Pastor Mike with author Douglas Bond, who passed through Milan while leading a church history tour from Rome to Geneva. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/6494aeb0-98c5-4547-8c03-058658ef14b3/97BDC92D-4DAC-4184-91D6-1F40520048BB.jpeg Updates - July 2023 - Make it stand out New graphics on the church entrance. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/june-2023 monthly 0.5 2023-06-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/4bacc187-c2bf-4734-90d6-c21509f1b6d0/church+photos+spring+2023.jpg Updates - June 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/4c6b847a-70e0-4e3d-b327-75385a4cef54/Screenshot+2023-06-06+at+12.16.17.png Updates - June 2023 - In our Sunday morning worship service, I am still preaching through the book of Exodus, currently in the section on the Tabernacle. For many in our church, this is the first time that they have heard preaching on this part of the Bible and how Christ is the fulfillment of the Tabernacle and Levitical priesthood. Seeing Christ in the Old Testament is a particular blessing to the believer, as we see how all of Scripture is ultimately about Him. Please pray that we as a congregation will continue to grow in our love for Jesus and his Word, so that more and more we will seek our joy and sense of identity in Him, and long to see his fruit in our lives. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/abddd4ef-16a6-47c8-ae8b-aceaf0df0c39/1053ED86-3DFE-4E29-A435-D6EB6617A359.jpg Updates - June 2023 - Make it stand out The deacons of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia: Arnaldo Mazzola, Tonino Bellitto, and Tony La Leggia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/8a093f86-db0d-4446-9d2a-34d593136eb7/51c99132-b166-4094-8a6a-1ecae3c910c4.jpg Updates - June 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/03134347-73a4-44b3-93eb-545384a7f611/IMG_1782.jpeg Updates - June 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/march-2023 monthly 0.5 2023-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/2c952471-0e5a-4610-baad-c20f2e3d5c1a/9BE19A10-5E28-43F8-9CAB-0E6BBCD9205B.jpeg Updates - May 2023 - Make it stand out Pastor Mike, Janie, and Iain on Easter Sunday at Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/35c996f2-470e-4d6c-8f2e-6523d2c6be49/IMG_1187.jpeg Updates - May 2023 - Make it stand out Pictured from left to right: Francesco Pinelli, Maria Pinelli, Giuseppe Canta, Lia Pinelli. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/af42634d-987d-462c-bfa8-eb8a149d9cff/2a8398c8-9794-47ef-9a52-f58ca8df03a0.jpg Updates - May 2023 - Make it stand out Ladies’ Book Club meeting in the home of Pastor Mike and Janie. CRF members pictured from left to right: Natalia Hernandez, Daniela Calderaro, Rosanna Altobelli, Cristiana Rinaldi, and Ursula Blumberg. (Janie took the photo and is not pictured.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/8306453d-adcd-48b0-92e8-1b3387299c4c/e4dcc0bf-20f0-4bf7-8970-1f0058cd0994.jpg Updates - May 2023 - Make it stand out Preaching at Chiesa Presbiteriana “Pietra Vivente” in Lecce. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/376ceb02-f1e1-4bfe-a2f5-7c9f57c4b426/IMG_1570+2.jpeg Updates - May 2023 - Make it stand out Pastor Brown and Rev. Humberto Arisa de Oliveira, PCB missionary and pastor of Chiesa Presbiteriana di Legnano. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/4c346c6e-1a22-44ac-8657-608a4098a6ba/IMG_1514.jpeg Updates - May 2023 - Make it stand out Pastor Mike and Iain hiking in the mountains on the Swiss-Italian border near Lake Como. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/february-2023 monthly 0.5 2023-02-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/b7906bf3-3b0d-40b4-8593-8e93dce74d0b/P1066174Federico+becomes+a+member.jpg Updates - February 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/5a873aa8-6e1b-46ed-95a6-e463f24d4299/IMG_1114.jpeg Updates - February 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/8ebcf19d-f8b7-4f38-a503-958319e28824/Toni+and+Aly+3.jpeg Updates - February 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/january-2023 monthly 0.5 2023-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/bf86701e-905b-487d-a1b2-9a071a20cd4f/IMG_0866.jpeg Updates - January 2023 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674164557342-MOJM6O6DTRK1ENHHUC0V/3465023f-5e04-40bc-be6a-3a691bf6fb9e.jpg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674164559367-NUPMU9CGNACDHG3ND07H/61D438FB-BAC5-4F5D-9F85-3B7420400BF9.jpg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674164561631-A9KZE9A8GLFTJG65KB79/ad0b5c3c-fee4-4c5c-b05d-cf6173c83e8b.jpg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674164631797-AXRFUJVKJCLHV6R8LSI0/3ff8d580-9485-4e70-b07b-5b96e753adcd.jpg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674164636543-9KQ8AQ1CW5YXGWMOSXBG/Screenshot+2022-12-23+at+07.52.17.png Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674164639159-B7V924EBXFN2MF27GUFT/7fae266f-da6b-4f54-917f-d05ef7bf1134.jpg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674164832862-6MQLVAN19AW9XBMIXGKE/IMG_0673.jpeg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674164836921-MWITEDX26TCQHA221DOE/IMG_0681+2.jpeg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674164842256-D0MEKGDX9LU69Y4ZOB19/IMG_0675.jpeg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1673921429591-9TDT71247N9Y6E25JQBN/6b34762d-183a-4667-9743-23c4ec70ba9b.jpg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1673921437150-BY3T7SWRWDVU3SHMYNKE/33331025-7778-4d83-b2f7-0d14d92dcbf9.jpg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1673921440305-WQ07V6PDW1HGITQDTD1Y/f77e4447-e20e-486a-a4f4-4773b6d4b413.jpg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674165225645-2WQGPLADFI250JVV2NLC/325420270_1030511701669526_6430000165054374864_n.jpg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674165111188-PWGNFUDFTTQU2UOVORFT/325373716_709968947429134_141317285383318963_n.jpg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674165133680-FJK4EI5K5JP6B5WPW95K/IMG_2001.jpeg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674165403212-2RCVZ8U0CZ32INO5HH63/IMG_0892.jpeg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674165391621-EHZLSH6LNK6S77PLR0K1/IMG_0807.jpeg Updates - January 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1674165956456-VXL1EM9QMYVQMV1DXJM2/IMG_0720.jpeg Updates - January 2023 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/november-2022 monthly 0.5 2022-11-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1669197758835-73GT43AODXYGMVQ0FQ5Z/7A42E265-452E-48F8-AE7D-E0AF271A71BB.jpeg Updates - November 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1669197775769-DTNHO0ZFBBT80IEMLQLE/5E923C59-C824-4108-BE20-B94EC2471B13.jpeg Updates - November 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1669197792784-QUO2XVAS0EL9772P6QTS/5CDC717C-A10F-4D25-9041-25F0F1B2AB89.jpeg Updates - November 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1669197820307-S615GHCHC6L924F4MRH2/5543FE68-F9D7-4593-93BC-0B1E17781401.jpeg Updates - November 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/4664babb-05b1-4041-8d41-c3fbf10340ac/CORE.jpeg Updates - November 2022 - Publication of “Core Christianity” in Italian We give thanks to God that a project we began three years ago has finally come to completion. Michael Horton’s excellent book Core Christianity is now available in Italian under the title L’essenza del cristianesimo. We are very excited to see this book in print as it provides the reader with a clear and helpful understanding of Christianity, of its most important doctrines as well as the redemptive-historical flow of the Bible. This is an important resource in Italy, a country with deep and ancient Christian roots, yet very little knowledge of the Bible or how it all speaks of Christ. In a land where less than 1% of the population identifies as Protestant, Core Christianity will help its readers know what we as Christians believe and why we believe it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/526c18cc-0607-49c8-8fc4-e1011ac4cbf8/WhatsApp+Image+2022-10-23+at+8.25.07+PM.jpeg Updates - November 2022 - Possible Future Church Plant in Turin By God’s grace, we continue to hold monthly worship services in the city of Turin, which is about an hour and a half west of Milan. We have found a temporary home for the meetings in a small Brethren church that is willing to let us use their facility for an evening worship service on Sundays. We give thanks that there have been visitors the last two times we have met. We pray that, if it be His will, the Lord will bless this work, create a solid core group, and eventually provide a missionary to plant a Reformed church. The elders in Milan and I ask for your prayers, that all will be done to the glory of God, and that he will provide us with much wisdom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1669200259618-B2NJE9TL6YLMA5X6RVS7/SC.jpeg Updates - November 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1669200263887-PYBOO6VGLRH0MNXN1MIT/ETS.jpeg Updates - November 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1669200268395-ZG10IO4LN2D6B3EHSO67/ETS2.jpeg Updates - November 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1669200273872-BKYBQ3WHXU417T2ASZAJ/ETS3.jpeg Updates - November 2022 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/h7q07l0k1cs2kjpucv278iz4swtosz monthly 0.5 2022-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/230bbb28-8b23-45d1-ad2f-76ecc5974797/CPRI.jpeg Updates - October 2022 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/0c7d39c1-2531-4ebe-8c65-90f5c46ebbf1/Ref+Europe.jpeg Updates - October 2022 - Reformation Europe Meeting in Romania During October 3-6, I participated in the Reformation Europe Pastors’ Retreat, held in Sighisoara, Romania. It was a refreshing and encouraging week of prayer, discussion, and fellowship among Reformed & Presbyterian pastors and professors from Italy, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Scotland and Turkey. It was an honor to get to know these servants of the gospel, all of whom speak and preach in two or more languages. One of our prayers and goals is to share fellowship and strengthen our ecumenical relations throughout the year. May God strengthen his church in Europe! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/be0bc19f-d65d-4711-b299-204d7ca10e8f/Uomini+del+patto.jpeg Updates - October 2022 “Men of the Covenant” Monthly Mens Meeting Our monthly mens meeting, which is called “Uomini del patto” (“Men of the Covenant”), is studying R.C. Sproul’s classic book, The Holiness of God, which was recently translated and published in Italian. We enjoyed an edifying discussion on the doctrine of G0d’s holiness and what it means for our lives. There was time for study, prayer, singing and, of course, eating pizza. We appreciate your continued prayer for the men of our church, that we will mature and grow in faith, hope, and love. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/703152c1-634b-410c-9370-821f3e5f2ae4/Turin.jpeg Updates - October 2022 First Worship Service in Turin On September 25, we held the first evening worship service of the new work in Turin, which is a city about an hour and a half from Milan. It was held in the home of the Del Conte family, who are members of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia. We have since found a Brethren church that is willing to let us use their facility for an evening worship service on Sundays. We are starting with a monthly meeting, but hope to increase the frequency if the Lord should bless the work. The elders in Milan and I ask for your prayers, that all will be done to the glory of God, and that he will provide us with much wisdom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/40a55c02-4b94-49ee-bc79-9e3634ef2626/CRF.jpeg Updates - October 2022 - Preaching and Teaching I am currently preaching through the book of Exodus in our morning worship service. I took a break from Exodus during the months of July and August to preach on the Psalms. This has been my custom over the past three summers and seems to work well, given that during July and August we have many people coming and going from Milan. With the return of autumn, I returned to my series on Exodus, which is being well-received by the congregation. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/eqxo7328h7cigz81og2r8e5agqchtp monthly 0.5 2022-09-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/a8834b66-e1df-4fba-95c5-751b830e3e05/WhatsApp+Image+2022-08-31+at+8.07.26+AM+%284%29.jpeg Updates - September 2022 - Joint Services with a Sister Presbyterian Church in Milan In order to strengthen our relationship with Chiesa Presbiteriana di Legnano, which is the only other confessional church in Milan, our consistory and their session have committed to holding two joint worship services every year during the first two Sundays of August. The idea is for both congregations to worship together; one Sunday at Chiesa Presbiteriana di Legnano in which I preach, and the following Sunday at Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia in which Rev. Humberto Arisa de Oliveira (the pastor of CPL) preaches. The Lord’s Days of August 7 and 14 were the first time we have done this. All who participated agreed that this was a tremendous blessing and encouragement to both congregations. It provides us with rich fellowship and the opportunity to know one another better. We plan to repeat this event next year and hope that we find other activities that we can do together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/f831fe9a-d686-47b8-bc28-47f7c88073f1/Family+camp+2.jpg Updates - September 2022 - Family Camp in Germany From August 15-19, I had the blessing of serving Covenant Fellowship Church, a mission work of the PCA in Stuttgart, Germany, as the guest speaker at their annual family camp. The congregation is a mixture of Germans and Americans. I preached four times (in English, with translation into German) on the doctrine of adoption. The camp was run very well, and filled with opportunity to fellowship, worship, and spend time with other believers. Janie and Iain were also invited and enjoyed the week very much. Iain made some new friends, all of whom come from Christian homes. We were refreshed and encouraged. Now, our council in Milan is planning to do something similar next year for our church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/9b15fb71-619e-46a1-be27-711b07844ca0/Madonna+.jpg Updates - September 2022 - Family Matters Janie, Iain, and I were thrilled to spend a week of vacation in the beautiful Dolomites, the eastern part of the Italian Alps. Incredibly, these breathtaking mountains are only three to four hours from Milan. Although I still had to preach on Sunday, we were very refreshed to spend Monday to Saturday in a place where we could enjoy hiking, cycling, and the beauty of God’s creation. Iain started 12th grade today. His workload this year will be quite intense, so we ask for your continued prayers for him – that he will stay focused on his schoolwork, make good friends, and, above, keep walking with the Lord. Janie is doing well. She is busy teaching English classes to foreigners and doing most of the tech work for our church. She is a blessing to the congregation and is my biggest help in the ministry. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/july-2022 monthly 0.5 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/384ba9cf-d58c-41b3-b1a5-1a0ddfa6e943/B4846D13-BAEB-4ABF-9044-6ECA9003D350.jpeg Updates - July 2022 - Visit to the United States Janie, Iain, and I were able to go the United States for two weeks in order to visit three supporting churches and see our family. As I have said before, the hardest part of being a foreign missionary is not preaching in a second language or adapting to a new culture. The hardest part is not being able to see family more often, especially our three grown children and one grandchild. Our daughter Kayla and her husband Caleb live in South Pasadena, CA, and our son Isaac as well as our daughter Alysia and her family live in Vermont. In God’s kind providence, we were able to spend five days together at my parents’ house in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/8931c73b-5246-4804-ba73-be406991e09b/4DC9BE2D-0AA6-4F6F-83B7-B7E5E6924651.jpeg Updates - July 2022 - Although our time together was brief, it was still an enormous blessing and encouragement. We hope that we can find a way to see our grown children and granddaughter Isabella (pictured on the right) more frequently. We were also able to spend several days with Janie’s dad, Jose, who is 85 years old and lives in Menifee, CA with Janie’s sister. We also saw her brother, another sister, and two neices. It was a special time for which we are very grateful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/cad1608d-4306-4ee6-8063-b276a9eeba98/WhatsApp+Image+2022-07-21+at+1.12.42+AM.jpg Updates - July 2022 - On Sunday, July 17, I preached in the worship service at my former church, Christ URC in Santee, CA. Janie, Iain, and I had not visited this dear congregation in more than four years. This is the church I was called to plant in 2003 and subsequently served for fifteen years. After the worship service, I have a brief presentation on Mission Milan, and we then enjoyed a splendid lunch together where Janie and I were able to catch up with so many friends and loved ones. It was a tremendous blessing to renew fellowship with Christ URC, a congregation that will always hold a special place in our hearts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/06487d5a-913a-430e-b38e-db6cb1e1c20f/New+Members+June+2022+%281%29.jpg Updates - July 2022 - New Members This past month, our congregation received four new members: Nello De Risi and the Del Conte family: Pietro, Anna, and Angelica. These dear saints live in the city of Torino, which is more than an hour away from Milan. Because there are no established Reformed or Presbyterian churches in Turin, they sought out Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia as their church home, completing the new members’ course, interviewing with the Consistory, and making public vows. We are praying that God will send an ordained minister and missionary to plant a Reformed church in Turin in the future. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/6759b364-ad0f-4b32-9c5e-085a6e267872/WhatsApp+Image+2022-07-24+at+3.27.24+PM.jpeg Updates - July 2022 - Church picnic On a hot Sunday afternoon after worship, our congregation enjoyed a “grigliata” (BBQ) in a nearby park. It was a great opportunity to eat, talk, and laugh together for a few hours. Due to covid restrictions, we have not been able to have a picnic in the park since 2019. We plan to make this an annual event. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/june-2022 monthly 0.5 2022-06-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/e9797452-a7f9-460c-8bc8-9bd53ce2b6de/20220613_135436%280%29.jpg Updates - June 2022 - Make it stand out The council members of the Comunione delle Chiese Presbiteriane e Riformate in Italia during our meeting in person. From left to right: Rev. Vincenzo Coluccia, elder Mimmo Altobelli, Rev. Andrea Ferrari, Rev. Mike Cuneo, Rev. Mike Brown, elder Vittorio Calderaro and elder Andrea Suraci. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/0802b58d-29e3-4fce-966d-7a8b950b95a2/IMG_2712.jpeg Updates - June 2022 - So far, there are three churches who are officially part of the coalition: Chiesa Riformata di Perugia (the reformed church in Perugia, central Italy), Chiesa Presbiteriana Pietra Vivente (the presbyterian church in Lecce, southern Italy) and Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia (the reformed church in Milan, northern Italy). We are hopeful that this coalition will grow in number as we are currently in contact with another presbyterian church in Italy that seems interested in joining us. We ask you to continue praying for our labors to establish a confessional presbyterian and reformed denomination in Italy. It will take a lot of work, sacrifice, love, cooperation and patience. But by the grace of God, we can continue to make progress, as we look to Jesus, the One who promised to build his church "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/30319512-a10d-41b4-ac7f-359aed9f78b1/E068B612-E803-4FF0-A7AD-0E5FA77CD411.jpeg Updates - June 2022 - Men’s Fellowship We recently finished our Friday night mens’ fellowship series on “How to be a man of God”, looking specifically at the apostle Paul’s teaching in his letter to the Ephesians. We considered what Paul says about being a man of God in the church, in the home, and at work. It was an edifying time of reflection and discussion. We are now considering making this men’s fellowship a monthly meeting. We appreciate your continued prayer for the men of our church, that we will mature and grow in faith, hope, and love. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/3d23d7de-bf54-4fe3-b371-4895a7921a37/city-g6d5d0ebe4_1920.jpg Updates - June 2022 - An Open Door for the Gospel in Turin In our church in Milan, we currently have a family of three plus a single adult (four people total) who live in the city of Turin, about an hour and a half away by car. Sadly, there are no Reformed or Presbyterian churches in Turin, the second largest city in northern Italy. Due to the expense of travel, they are only able to come to Milan once or twice a month. The other Sundays, they follow our services via livestreaming. In the comming weeks, I will begin traveling to Turin on a regular basis on Sunday evenings to provide this group with a small worship service. We pray that this will be the beginning of a church plant, and that the Lord will provide a missionary in the future who is called to plant a confessional Reformed church in Turin. We ask you to join us in prayer for this mission, and that in the meantime the group in Turin will stay encouraged in the faith. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/546223da-c9d8-4fd9-8a7a-e21a6b93d4aa/WhatsApp+Image+2022-06-07+at+11.09.22+AM.jpeg Updates - June 2022 - Ukranian Refugees Our church continues to care for the Argakov family and Alena Fedchishina, all of whom attend worship faithfully. By God’s grace, they were able to obtain their residency permits and put the two boys (Artiom and Misha) in school. I am also happy to report that the Lord provided Vladimir with a job. They are very grateful for the help they have received and integrating into the community life of the church. They are also making progress learning Italian. Alena, who is the only refugee fluent in Italian, continues to translate the sermons into Russian real-time using a microphone and headsets. Please continue to pray for all of them. Although they are sustained and doing well, they are still refugees, displaced from their home and country, and having lost nearly everything. Nevertheless, Vladimir is always expressing his gratitude to God for the hope he has in Christ. In so many ways, this family has been an example and a blessing to us. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/dwtb5az2d3dsv75ogoktp2mr95m5zs monthly 0.5 2022-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/4a19dba1-0df3-4cf1-a6e6-2baf8e19020a/93BA8290-7A23-4B17-8748-DBC697C34448_1_105_c.jpeg Updates - May 2022 - Family Conference with Author Simonetta Carr On April 23rd, we held our first annual family conference. Over the past two years, we had to cancel this event due to the covid pandemic. This year, we were able to have author Simonetta Carr speak about her book Broken Pieces and the God Who Mends Them: Schizophrenia through a Mother’s Eyes. The conference was titled “Mental Illness and the Family: How to Find Hope”. In Italy, as in America to some degree, the subject of mental illness is often avoided and rarely discussed publicly. We found this to be an excellent opportunity to minister to people who are struggling with the difficult challenges of mental illness in the family and what the church can do to help. Simonetta’s talks were eye-opening and rich with hope. As a congregation, we now feel more equipped on how to show mercy to those in the church who battle mental illness, along with their families who often feel misunderstood. This event was also a blessing because Simonetta is a native Italian who, although she now lives in the United States with her family, has maintained her language. She was able to give the lectures in her mother tongue without a translator. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/6391fa19-fe49-447d-9075-fee4cb94de3f/4323B89C-1A27-4C98-9586-3FA64782A8E8.jpeg Updates - May 2022 - Teaching on Human Sexuality and the Bible Last week, I began a new Sunday school series on the important subject of human sexuality and the Bible. My goal is to evaluate the new sexual revolution in the light of Scripture and equip the saints to understand the biblical categories of human sexuality as well as how to love and reach our neighbors who are gay, transgender, or are committed to LGBTQ beliefs. As a guide, I am using the New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality, published by Gospel Reformation Network and written by Rev. Christopher Gordon, pastor of the Escondido United Reformed Church. I currently translating this excellent tool into Italian so that we can make it available to people in this country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1518d402-21f8-423d-9069-6de850c99c46/6A9D981A-2B24-4AFD-86EA-6836E9647A1D.jpeg Updates - May 2022 - Ministering to Ukrainian Refugees We continue to care for the Argakov family and Alena Fedchishina, all of whom attend our church faithfully. The Chygrynova family decided to go to Munich, Germany where they were able to connect with other family members. We were able to purchase train tickets for them and assist them in their travel. We have also been able to fix the Argakov family’s car and keep them sustained with rent and food. They are currently going through the bureaucratic process to obtain temporary residency in Milan, which will then allow them to look for work. They are also taking classes to learn the language. In the meantime, Alena translates the sermons and catechism classes into Russian using a microphone and headsets. Recently, Daria’s mother was able to leave Kharkiv and come to Milan to live her daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren. We are very happy to help all of them and seek to make them feel at home as much as possible. Photo on left: Brothers Artiom and Misha with traditional Italian chocolate on Easter Sunday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/9d190389-956d-42b0-8e00-b45062d940cf/CRF+fratelli.jpg Updates - May 2022 - Men’s Fellowship Having just completed the book of Romans in our Wednesday night Bible study, we will be taking a break in order to have some men’s fellowship meetings at the church. A few of the younger men in our congregation asked the Consistory if the men of the church could meet on Friday evenings to discuss the practical aspects of the Christian life and how to be a man of God. I look forward to these discussions which will begin this month. I ask for your prayers that the brothers of the church will be able to minister to one another and encourage each other. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/april-2022 monthly 0.5 2022-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/d8a04f5c-8c12-4c23-a8ff-e3d37f913326/IMG-2022.jpg Updates - April 2022 - Ukrainian Refugees in our Church First, I want to update you on the Ukrainain refugees who are among us. If you did not have a chance to read their stories in my update on March 14, please do so here. By God’s amazing grace, Alena Fedchishina, the Argakov family, and the Chygrynova family are doing well, despite their traumatic experiences of fleeing thier homes in Kiev and Kharkiv and making a long and dangerous journey to Milan. Your donations helped us to secure housing for all of them, provide funds for food and clothing, and take Voldomyr’s car to the mechanic for some much needed repair. All of them are attending our church every week. Alena is our resident interpreter, translating the sermons from Italian into Russian. We were able to purchase headsets for the refugees so that they can hear the translation without disturbance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/390096a4-a09a-4f08-9d44-3264a31d7b5d/photo_2022-03-26+18.56.47+%281%29.jpeg Updates - April 2022 - Sending Aid to the Presbyterian Church in Kharkiv This past week, I was able to speak with Rev. Marko Argakov, who is the pastor of the Presbyterian church in Kharkiv and also Voldomyr’s older brother. He is still in Kharkiv, seeking to minister to the remaining members of his congregation and bring humanitarian help to people in the community. He told me that their greatest material needs at the moment are 1) medicine, 2) non-perishable food, and 3) jackets. Due to your donations, we were able to help them obtain these items. It is amazing to see God’s people around the globe helping one another, bringing light into the darkness. We are also working with two other churches in Milan to assist refugees. Milan expects some 40,000 people to arrive from Ukraine. As you have probably heard, more than ten million people, mostly women and children, have been displaced from their homes because of the war. It is the largest mass migration since World War II. As refugees come to Milan, we want to be ready to assist them in their basic material needs and to bring the Gospel to them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/17a588af-bdd1-4a5a-8647-02d605b1e356/e78ac054-ec56-4fd5-9d51-947bcddee9f8+%281%29.JPG Updates - April 2022 - New Deacon On Sunday, March 20, we ordained and installed Mr. Tonino Bellito as a deacon. Tonino is a tender-hearted, faithful man of God who loves the church and loves to serve others. He is an outstanding example of a joyful, selfless servant. It was a blessing to witness his vows of ordination and hear his heartfelt gratitude as he expressed his thankfulness to God and the congregation for the opportunity to serve. We trust that he will be a blessing to us for many years in the future, as he has for many years in the past. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/eaf6fa3e-32fc-4eeb-aa42-cb42013beb6e/WhatsApp+Image+2022-03-28+at+9.10.46+PM.jpeg Updates - April 2022 - Janie in the States to Visit our Family On March 22, Janie flew to the United States to spend two weeks in Vermont with our daughter Aly, son-in-law Kevin, grandaughter Isabella, and son Isaac. Our other daughter, Kayla (Aly’s twin sister), surprised Janie by flying from her home in Los Angeles to Vermont. Janie was blessed with a partial family reunion. In the meantime, Iain and I are bachelors here in Milan. We look forward to Janie’s return, and also to this July when we will visit the United States together and have some time to spend with the whole family. As I have said before, Janie and I love being missionaries, we love our church here in Milan, and we love Italy. The one difficult thing, however, is that we do not get to see our children (and granddaughter) often enough. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/march-2022 monthly 0.5 2022-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/847ac70f-3e73-4883-a837-40f76bd1e174/pexels-matti-11284544.jpg Updates - March 2022 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/f98e7ae6-25b3-4168-b0e6-6081e65265c2/Screenshot+2022-02-28+at+23.46.13.png Updates - March 2022 - Make it stand out From top right: Elder Andrea Suraci (Perugia), Rev. Michael Brown (Milan), Rev. Andrea Ferrari (Perugia). Bottom row from left: Elder Domenico “Mimmo” Altobelli (Milan), Rev. Vincenzo Coluccia (Lecce), Elder Vittorio Calderaro (Milano). https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/gxnp2r5ckizwxyn0kmtgfslkrr5qtt monthly 0.5 2022-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/25e5a96b-778f-4784-b6db-c3103ff13198/Screenshot+2022-01-18+at+12.39.22.png Updates - February 2022 - Make it stand out Top left: Rev. Andrea Ferrari, pastor of Chiesa Riformata di Perugia (in central Italy), top right: Rev. Michael Brown, pastor of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia (in northern Italy), and Rev. Vincenzo Coluccia, pastor of Chiesa Pietra Vivente (in southern Italy). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/aece9bf8-85d8-448c-b9b9-ef68898c8590/Broken+pieces.jpeg Updates - February 2022 - Family Conference Planned for April 22 On April 22, author Simonetta Carr will speak at our annual family conference on her excellent book, Broken Pieces and the God Who Mends Them, which chronicles her son’s tragic decline into mental illness, the effects this had on her family, and how she found hope in the gospel and the care of the church. This is an important and practical subject not only for families struggling with a loved one’s mental illness, but for all in the church so that we can be better equipped to care for hurting people with compassion and wisdom. Please pray for this event, as we advertise it and seek to reach many people in Milan, especially non-believers who are looking for hope . https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/december-2021-1 monthly 0.5 2021-12-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/94521e1b-636d-4673-bf22-99f449fd78a9/Brown+family+photo+2021.jpg Updates - December 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/november monthly 0.5 2021-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1637228499197-BIR25FF3PR32VMMHRDU9/Bout+visit.jpeg Updates - November 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1637228518355-NKUQPILTSP4VKM9KGJG9/CRF+worship.jpeg Updates - November 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1637228535874-EZB9GYNJGJXQMDGOYGFZ/AGAPE.jpeg Updates - November 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1637228593813-7DDYM2NI5B44B72TF99V/Bout+sermon+.jpeg Updates - November 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1637229094979-5PGDDDVLVTMYGCL8KK2I/CTRM+1.jpeg Updates - November 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1637229106760-BFULY5WHFF3U9ZKH4EC1/CTRM+3.jpeg Updates - November 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1637229131643-TFBV93OY9THG4ED03ZML/CTRM+4.jpeg Updates - November 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1637229147992-DT80IGBIR9O72J8KYK7Q/CTRM+5.jpeg Updates - November 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/be6c3653-943d-4aad-b8d2-837a04598d87/IMG_8172.jpg Updates - November 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1634722255584-0LNQ4FH3M51IBPC1G9ZO/Ref+Europe+pastors.jpg Updates - November 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1634722298851-8YJCNNKDES6SOR990TQZ/Beeke.jpeg Updates - November 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/0eb3def1-4540-46b6-b47c-791ffa46db24/IMG_9410.JPG Updates - November 2021 - Make it stand out Isaac and Iain enjoying the fresh air of the Alps during a summer trip to the mountains. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/october-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-10-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1632984789144-ZMJTSXI6N3XHNAPT0SI6/69AD786B-C03C-43DC-920C-2A4C423D500D.JPG Updates - October 2021 - Make it stand out From left to right: Pastor Mike, Rev. Vincenzo Coluccia of Chiesa Pietra Vivente, elder Vittorio Calderaro, and elder Mimmo Altobelli. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1632990677205-GATXHF1NBXAJWTEJK4MV/79F84239-58D2-495E-8E49-084A312BA086.JPG Updates - October 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1632991420949-EIW39ZADTDA4SLVJPI5B/7232.jpg Updates - October 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1633033278799-HWTCP0X2N5CTK1HZEOCP/Chiesa_reformata_filadelfia_logo_circular-red-white.png Updates - October 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1633034042009-X5KIATXNYDDWK1PJEAXI/Romani.jpeg Updates - October 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/september-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-09-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1631609789279-H84JLW8WQ4YIRLESKS2Z/006A0014.jpg Updates - September 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1631609990904-Y87033N506NG9J3832OY/006A0172.jpg Updates - September 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1631610519766-REXY1NJRAREEY9LVABVZ/006A0163.jpg Updates - September 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1631611257771-KEAVJSZPU8R4OG7DCF7S/006A0023.jpg Updates - September 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1631616223001-UM5BG95AE0PJ0LG3BQ87/11557FBC-B242-4219-BA88-1DE530088754.jpeg Updates - September 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1631619073591-M7NWN0CHKEBNDEHQY6X9/Isaac%2Band%2BIain%2B.jpg Updates - September 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/august-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1628003694840-RIDV2JS5J6PXFRR4PUBO/WhatsApp+Image+2021-07-26+at+14.49.42.jpeg Updates - August 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1628003773845-1ATHPAQ0MC5034LSANIL/512B2F48-903A-4A4A-8E61-4487DE9C0DF2.jpeg Updates - August 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1628004248155-QJKEKE0STL11ED3WJMC9/F83D0A22-B0A8-40A6-B214-3A199558B82E.jpeg Updates - August 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1628004098080-5HQ2BC4K5IWUU3TGRAOG/IMG-0579.jpg Updates - August 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1628004080126-0QLYI3TNDTLOVPNEC4LU/IMG-0578.jpg Updates - August 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1628004450300-GVTRP5DVU3NE6ZEM8OTC/C60B774A-D611-4A30-B3A3-31E5F15ACADD.jpeg Updates - August 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/july-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1624949409321-X8MNM4W8R314HQRJOHQQ/006A8394.jpg Updates - July 2021 - Make it stand out New members of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia, from left to right: Ursula Blumberg, Heidi Lombardi, Toni Nero, Ester Marino, Anne & Aldert Holwerda, Erik & Kristina Maresia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1624949634476-AWQ7FFK86LDPX4UM26UH/006A8405.jpg Updates - July 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1624950319138-SP72DR3VSA0FYG9TZ3HT/0A28A46E-8253-41FC-8859-F6D6F1603DE0.jpeg Updates - July 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1624950942158-82F1RM8HKGMYD1RD5EZ9/IMG_9696.jpeg Updates - July 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/may-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1620030069640-65UKMWON1JK3414XV7H4/Screenshot+2021-04-19+at+20.13.46.png Updates - May 2021 One of two new members’ classes currently meeting on zoom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1620039517504-PNHYVEOE1LOE4JAG1E94/ecc56542-0364-4324-84f2-c310ef0d9186.jpeg Updates - May 2021 Photo from our Refomation conference in 2019 (pre-Covid). The main room holds about 60 people. If we remove a wall, we could double the seating capacity. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/april-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-04-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1617694772587-0C3AIXRA3HXHWQHXW758/Brownies.jpeg Updates - April 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1617695345199-409OUV0RWJZQ9EABHCUQ/Venerdi%CC%80+Santo2.jpeg Updates - April 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1617695266445-FTUFZ603V7NBU7Q6DC09/Food+line3.jpeg Updates - April 2021 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/jpt7yz285l83offsqaw0otk4z5mko7 monthly 0.5 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1614597117413-FV2V3K4EBVBP89EOM62S/716EA439-087D-43F0-B9A8-C6688259462B.jpeg Updates - March 2021 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/february-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1612263939326-U7G98NHXWUK99YCWLRD9/P1044182.jpg Updates - February 2021 Rev. Brown, preaching at the first in-person service after the church’s third lockdown. January 24, 2021. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/ndbl36app2o7xj1eyl9vihazxwdhkl monthly 0.5 2021-01-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1610458140773-74Y2PTBGPFD80YGNKAJM/Brown+fam.jpg Updates - January 2021 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/jfem4aosr19jejhs4fqgak8bnm3my9 monthly 0.5 2020-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1607943574096-3S9P6ISRNRAQD0CJEG4N/alley-5756925_1920.jpg Updates - December 2020 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/november-2020 monthly 0.5 2020-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605609260937-NGZE33TDU5AH825CDPUC/MM1.jpg Updates - November 2020 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605609423646-W4KBUY1OD974VDKKVOLH/MM1.jpg Updates - November 2020 - Janie meets our first grandchild! The hardest thing about being a foreign missionary is being away from family. We are rarely able to see our three grown children in the States. In May, our first grandchild was born: Isabella Jane Corrigan. Janie had planned to be there for her birth and help our daughter Alysia for several weeks, but international travel restrictions due to Covid prevented the trip. Five months later, we were finally able to send Janie. She arrived in Alexandria, VA on October 20 to spend a whole month bonding with her grand-daughter. Needless to say, she is over the moon! Iain and I are scheduled to join her and the rest of our family during Thanksgiving week. Provided that Italy doesn’t lockdown again, this reunion will be the first time we have I have been together in over 18 months. We’re praying that we’ll be able to go. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/cggnezcttt78n2qaiasqa5lprdljnk monthly 0.5 2020-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605608987442-0OZWKY8FH4NIO7CF1SNB/mm40.jpg Updates - October 2020 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/8tj2kjn5mzus0u6osjezwflpj11dpy monthly 0.5 2020-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605608806020-NMAPQBPW6ARKCGFWRH2V/mm40.jpeg Updates - August 2020 Rev. Michael Brown of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia and Rev. Humberto Arisa de Oliveira of Chiesa Presbiteriana di Legnano. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/july-2020 monthly 0.5 2020-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605608598810-CCCNFUMSH1JDUT12YJXT/mm36.jpeg Updates - July 2020 New members Anita Matichecchia and Oscar D’Angelo taking vows of membership during the worship service on June 28, 2020. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605608676484-M3Z8G0D63N5R6QRK0QU0/mm39.jpg Updates - July 2020 - Iain is High-Schooler! Our family is doing well. Iain completed middle school and will begin high school in September. We are very thankful to God for granting Iain the courage to move to a new country, learn a new language, and adapt to a new culture. He is a gifted student, continues to grow in his faith, and is becoming more and more interested in apologetics. We are grateful for your prayers for him. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/june-2020 monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605607895437-MQX3J1RHV8JCX59F4MDY/mm33.jpg Updates - June 2020 The Piccone family: Alisia, Giulia, Sabino (who was hospitilized and on a respirator due to Covid), and Mattia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605607973476-5UB19RHML54YQGBWCK1B/mm34.jpg Updates - June 2020 - First Grandchild! Although Janie and I missed out on our 30th anniversary plans due to the lockdown, the Lord provided us with a far greater blessing on May 28th: the birth of Isabella Jane Corrigan, our very first grandchild! In the midst of a suffering, violent, and angry world, comes the most precious gift of the year! God willing, we will travel to Washington D.C. the first week of August to see her and the rest of our family. Needless to say, we are very excited. :) https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/vss3f39kqnfc6qfj9jwj0rfm1xhtyw monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605607749535-BFCR1DRG0YYD9B46M732/mm32.jpeg Updates - May 2020 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/581k3mmm3o1hnurqzrttxsycjfsp9j monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605607544950-YKADWS8G2RQ9KXI1XTSE/mm31.jpg Updates - April 2020 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/mh9qlr6w0339y5rwjbo743yicko9b1 monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605607265845-I7JHROSGVD61VBVQ3NTV/mm29.jpg Updates - March 2020 The always busy and bustling Galleria in downtown Milan, now deserted due to the outbreak of Covid-19. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/f9h8p7hskm779ktq2ksodoya8snv6w monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605607103850-1I3GBV65US2B9PSP88WJ/mm28.jpg Updates - February 2020 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/january-2019 monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605605729615-C3T95C4FYRCK7ANXTJKN/mm23.jpg Updates - January 2020 Baptism of Giacomo Rinaldi on January 5, 2020 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605605920111-6CHVIGLI7GNLR48HHZOW/image-asset.jpeg Updates - January 2020 - NEW ITALIAN CURRICULUM FOR THE HEIDELBERG CATECHISM For our catechism services during 2020, our congregation is using a new curriculum that I wrote in Italian. We printed them as spiral-bound, 100-page workbooks and provided a copy to every adult and child in the church. So far, they have been well-received. We pray that the Lord will use this as a means for our growth in the faith as we learn essential Christian doctrine and how to apply it to our lives. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605605974470-EI6M7YDF5253E8279I2Q/mm25.jpeg Updates - January 2020 - ENGLISH CLASSES AS A FORM OF OUTREACH Beginning on February 5, I will teach English classes every Wednesday evening for 16 weeks, using a curriculum designed to teach English as a second language through the Gospel of Mark. Rev. Paul Murphy, pastor of the URC in NYC, gave me this wonderful idea. We have advertised heavily in the community and hope many will respond. Many Italians want to learn English, especially from a teacher who is “madrelingua” (mother tongue). Please pray that the Lord will use this class to reach people, giving them the opportunity to learn about Jesus as they learn English. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605606058442-IHJ8GWGJKRWZYF9AUB04/mm27.jpg Updates - January 2020 - YOUNG PEOPLES’ MEETINGS CONTINUE Each month, the young people of the congregation gather in our home for a Bible study, prayer, food and games. We have also been going on some fun outings, simply to spend time together and encourage fellowship. It is a joy to get to know them better and see their relationships bond. They are challenged by the fact that there are very few young Christians in Milan. Please pray for them, that they will be strengthened in their faith and live unashamedly and joyfully for Christ. They are precious to Janie and me, and feel privileged to open our home to them. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/december-2019 monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605605606657-525N7X1QAFU646I2IMHB/mm21.jpg Updates - December 2019 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/november-2019 monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605605507657-29ESSDUNRV6XR6TUC4QJ/mm20.jpeg Updates - November 2019 The Rinaldi family (from left: Cristina, Eliseo, Giovanni and Giacomo) and elders Mimmo Altobelli and Vittorio Calderaro, in the new members class I am teaching on Monday evenings. We are going through the Heidelberg Catechism together and having wonderful discussions https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/october-2019 monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605605256603-WMHEZJE65SCVXSJ6SPNE/mm16.jpg Updates - October 2019 Dr. Michael Horton speaking at the first annual Milan Conference on Reformed Theology https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605605341384-OOMDA481COOVRBE4ETKY/mm17.jpg Updates - October 2019 - Michael Horton in Milan On Saturday, October 26, we held our first Reformation conference since my arrival last year. Dr. Michael Horton was our guest speaker. He gave two outstanding lectures from his book Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World. This book has been translated and published in Italian, and we provided free copies to all who attended. In addition to our members from our church, we had about 40 visitors from the city of Milan, which, by Italian standards, is an excellent turnout. Dr. Horton also did a Q&A session and spent ample time speaking to the people personally during the breaks. He also preached in our church on Sunday, October 27. We were very blessed by Dr. Horton’s ministry to us and pray that it will bear fruit for the mission to Milan in the coming years. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/september-2019 monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605605131320-3RZP65QCFOKLT77W3KL2/mm15.jpg Updates - September 2019 “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” - Jeremiah 29:7 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/july-2019 monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605604931164-FGTOSORHR3VH2AFYTZ24/mm14.jpg Updates - July 2019 Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia, the Reformed church in Milan, Italy. Growing together as a family in Christ. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/june-2019 monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605604258174-WTHTPSWRSGE2PNKCVQ97/mm10.jpg Updates - June 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605604358187-JREA1EZKANJEA6HKAC4L/mm11.jpg Updates - June 2019 - Iain Finished His First Year of School in Italy On June 20, Iain completed eighth grade, finishing his first year of school in Milan. We want to thank everyone who has been praying for him. Moving to a new school when you’re 13 isn’t easy. Moving to a new country and learning a new language is even harder. By the grace of God, Iain has tackled the transition with courage, resolve and self-discipline. He managed to get good grades in a school where he is required to study three languages and made several friends along the way. He’s looking forward to next year and joining the robotics team. We are very grateful to God for his tender mercies in allowing Iain to attend a good school. Thank you again to everyone who has prayed for him! God is good! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605604439808-IXBOTIGB96D44U5CXL5C/mm12.jpg Updates - June 2019 - Getting to Know the Younger Generation Better A few weeks ago, Janie and I hosted about a dozen young adults from church (both members and visitors) for a BBQ at our home. It was a great opportunity to get to know them better and allow them to get to know us outside of church. We hope to start meeting with the youth more frequently for prayer, devotions and healthy socializing. With such a small number of believers in Italy, it is crucial that we reach the next generation. We ask that you continue to pray for the young people here, that they may grow in faith and in their zeal for the gospel. Pray that the Lord would raise up godly leaders amongst them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605604785313-9OSJJZXREL40BLM5B457/mm13.jpg Updates - June 2019 - Food Distribution to the Poor During the month of June, our congregation hosted a food distribution to poor families in the community. Our deacons gave each family a copy of the Gospel of John in Italian and shared information about our church. We are grateful that God opened this door for us to show mercy to the needy. Our prayer is that these simple efforts will glorify Christ and make him known to unbelievers. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/may-2019 monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605603575695-FAIFRIDLTV1VXDQHUC06/mm5.jpg Updates - May 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605603961615-O5YLL2EGGGUT0HJKUHZK/mm7.jpg Updates - May 2019 - Isaac and Kayla Come for a Visit! Our son Isaac and daughter Kayla arrived in Milan on May 22 for a visit. Kayla will be here for two weeks and Isaac for three. We are overjoyed and so grateful to God that they are well and with us for a little while. Both of them live in Pasadena, California, where Isaac is attending Providence Christian College (Kayla is also a graduate from the same school). THANK YOU to everyone who has prayed for them as their parents and youngest sibling line on the other side of the world. How we have missed therm so! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605604006838-WQERE0RFGSXO5WSBEBTG/mm8.jpg Updates - May 2019 - Visit from Providence Christian College Students Providentially (no pun intended), during Isaac and Kayla’s visit to Milan, Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia was graced with a visit from seven students and two faculty members of Providence Christian College. They attended worship, catechism and a congregational fellowship meal on May 26, finishing up a tour of Rome, Florence and Milan. Dr. John Cunningham (associate professor of humanities) was particularly thrilled to visit the Duomo here in our city in order to see the place where Ambrose baptized Augustine. It was wonderful to have them amongst us on the Lord’s Day and enjoy fellowship! https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/0gd4j9ruekttpqjoh9kequflrcz51o monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605603289490-GWP2KTYH67EHA6Y1D8T7/mm3.jpg Updates - April 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605603387823-XGAC0Y6RT78GP2AL6KNQ/mm4.jpg Updates - April 2019 - A Bittersweet Goodbye Some of you know that on April 4, the Lord called home Janie’s mother, Ines Nunez, after suffering from cancer for nearly nine months. Janie and her four siblings were very close with their mom, so her departure was emotionally difficult. She was an amazing woman who through a life of hard work, self-sacrifice and thoughtfulness, left a sterling example of how to glorify God through her vocation as a wife, mother, and grandmother. We are thankful that Janie was able to fly to California and be with her mom for the last two weeks of her life. We are even more grateful, though, that Ines is with her faithful Savior Jesus Christ in whom she put her trust. Iain and I flew out to California for two days in order to attend the funeral and be with family. https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/gtut1e0w7jn32p6eku6f5tiss420yz monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605602965666-XXINYJ1XR1XYHUG8LJVC/MM2.jpeg Updates - March 2019 https://www.missionmilan.org/updates/0ynghm9s5nme8qk0h4ytp7wm95p961 monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605602279651-QRBVF428HZK0ZPQ8B5Y5/MM1.jpg Updates - January 2019 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog daily 0.75 2025-04-10 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/jubilee-2025-relics-and-indulgences-are-not-a-thing-of-the-past monthly 0.5 2025-04-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/b6096d45-db4f-4703-96b2-8c7703a5c366/WhatsApp+Image+2025-04-10+at+10.28.22+%281%29.jpeg Blog - Jubilee 2025: Indulgences and Relics are Not Just a Thing of the Past - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/6rg6n56rftl5xolhshw97e7cpnxmqq monthly 0.5 2022-10-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/fad6567c-7f12-4da4-bbe1-2f06287fd53d/archbishop+with+cross.jpeg Blog - The Holy Nail: Reflecting on Relics and the Need for Reformation - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/c9ab8f73-9dd0-4ac5-ac08-eebe7d5da068/cloud+near+apse.jpeg Blog - The Holy Nail: Reflecting on Relics and the Need for Reformation - According to the Roman Catholic Church, the so-called “Holy Nail” was stored in Milan’s fourth-century basilica until the current cathedral was built. Every year since 1624, the Holy Nail is removed from its reliquary by the archbishop of Milan. This is where it gets bizarre. The archbishop himself steps into a wooden contraption in the form of a cloud decorated with angels and is hoisted up forty meters to where the Holy Nail is kept. He then removes the nail from the reliquary and places it into a small cross. He is then lowered and says a mass. The cross containing the nail is then paraded around the cathedral. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/a43d3cfa-fe18-49c9-8717-bb3f9159f58b/S.CHIODO-1.gif Blog - The Holy Nail: Reflecting on Relics and the Need for Reformation - Knowing that these relics exist and that people clamor to see them believing that they have some kind of power leaves me heavy-hearted. That so much energy and devotion is still given to relics is tragic when Jesus himself told us as he suffered on the cross, “It is finished.” What was finished? The work the father gave him to do, namely, atone for the sins of all those who put their faith in Christ. As Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” All the merit we need to be right with God has been earned by Christ’s obedience and imputed to us by grace alone through faith alone. We do not need to look to a so-called nail of the cross to find hope, but to Christ’s finished work on the cross 2000 years ago. There is no place in the Christian life for venerating relics or seeking indulgences because, in his life, death, and resurrection, Christ has done everything necessary for our salvation. As a result, those who have received the forgiveness of sins and the righteousness of Christ live lives of gratitude in response. https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/7bww37gml9mlheur5vihi78eu4l9oy monthly 0.5 2022-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/2fa456ad-8b5d-4f8b-a565-59ee01252cf3/IMG-2001.jpg Blog - How You Can Help Ukrainian Refugees in Milan - Make it stand out Ukrainian refugees from Kharkiv in our home for lunch. Daria Argakov and her daughter Nina, and Nadia Chygrynova and her daughter Vera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/403c0986-172c-4715-b82e-3f5e50e87f92/Alena.jpeg Blog - How You Can Help Ukrainian Refugees in Milan Alena was able to escape by car with two colleagues, an Italian couple, who had heard of an armored collumn that would provide an escort to the Ukrainian border. She fled with nothing but a small backpack. What they thought would be a two-day journey turned into five days through Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovenia and finally Italy. There were hundreds of thousands of refugees on the roads, traffic jams, chaotic lines at gas stations, difficult border crossings, and some dangerous detours through mountains. Because martial law is declared in Ukraine, their bank cards were blocked. What little cash they had they used for gas. After crossing the Italian border, the couple left Alena in Trieste (northeast Italy). We then bought her a train ticket to come to Milan. When we picked her up at the trainstation, she was fragile. She had not eaten for days. By God’s grace, she has been recovering quickly. We are happy to help her in any way we can. She is staying with us in our basement until the war is over or she finds the means to live on her own. She is currently looking for work. In fact, today she has an interview with a non-profit organization that helps refugees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/177002c7-5de3-4539-b995-339e93ce65cc/D1701886-588C-4889-BF58-F4FE59AC02F0.jpeg Blog - How You Can Help Ukrainian Refugees in Milan - Next, there is the Argakov family: Voldomyr and his wife Daria, their three children Artiom (6), Mykhailo (3), and Nina (1). Their friend Nadia Chygrynova (26) and her daughter Vera (1) are also with them. Nadia’s husband is still in Ukraine. All of them are members of a presbyterian church in Kharkiv, a city, as you may have heard on the news, that has been hit very hard by the Russian army and is now occupied. They packed whatever they could into their car and fled. Their apartment building was later hit by a Russian missile at 5am in the morning. Ukrainian men between 18 and 60 are not permitted to leave Ukraine unless they have three or more dependent children. All other men are obligated to stay in the country and fight. Voldomyr was able to leave given that they have three children. Nadia’s husband, their pastor, and most of the men from their church are still in Ukraine, conscripted into the militia that is helping to defend their country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/d86c086c-3eff-4897-8e41-1f1e4ceb8d2c/275544320_520611272827113_3788454412606008526_n.jpg Blog - How You Can Help Ukrainian Refugees in Milan - Their journey was similar to Alena’s: traffic jams, chaotic lines at gas stations, perilous roads, bureaucratic troubles at the borders, car trouble, little food, etc. Finally, they made it to Italy. They decided to come here because, first, the refugee camps in Poland and Hungary are overwhelmed, and, second, they know Alena from when she was a member of their church while she was doing her undergrad in Kharkiv. Alena was able to find a temporary place for them to stay: a house about two hours from Milan that once functioned as a convalescent home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/dcf6248a-0b0b-4dea-ba54-6447d35272e4/WhatsApp+Image+2022-03-14+at+12.28.39+PM.jpeg Blog - How You Can Help Ukrainian Refugees in Milan Yesterday, on Sunday March 13, they came to our church to attend worship. They sat in the back row where Alena was able to translate the sermon from Italian into Ukrainian. They were thrilled to be in church and among Christians. Once again, our congregation took a collection. They brought food, clothing, cribs, car seats, and other necessary items for the family. After church, they came to our house for lunch, where we enjoyed good fellowship. After lunch, one of the elders of our church (Vittorio) and I went with them and Alena to see an available apartment that is near our church and meet the owner. We were able to negotiate a very low price. The apartment is clean and in a safe neighborhood. God willing, they will move in tomorrow. Voldomyr is in construction by trade and wants to look for work immediately. Daria and Nadia are also willing to work outside or from the home but have the responsibility of caring for four little ones. https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/8lif6qlao160i1ccgrvjlmmokkzlit monthly 0.5 2022-01-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/2f66e641-56a1-4eb5-9640-a59300817755/Mamma+e+Micaela.jpeg Blog - Called to the Uncomfortable - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/4d748728-dde8-4d4a-bd4f-bba7faaa5dfc/Bella.jpg Blog - Called to the Uncomfortable - Janie Brown lives in Milan, Italy where she teaches English as a second language. She has a passion for the gospel, and the people, history, and culture of Italy. She and her husband Mike have been married for more than thirty years and have four children. https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/two-women-two-covenants monthly 0.5 2021-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/8fe3c818-1853-4c5d-a5cb-67614738d550/Domenico+Ghirlandaio+Visitazione.jpeg Blog - Two Women, Two Covenants - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/how-will-christianity-survive monthly 0.5 2023-02-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1614719835090-43TOSY8SZ5T2VWD0H9ZC/Royal+palace+mediolanum.jpg Blog - The Survival of Christianity Ruins of the Imperial Palace in Milan where the Roman Emperors ruled from 286 to 402 AD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1614769648844-L8DXR3GKNMKE7GWVHGCY/IMG_1522.jpeg Blog - The Survival of Christianity - Janie Brown lives in Milan, Italy where she teaches English as a second language. She has a passion for the gospel, and the people, history, and culture of Italy. She and her husband Mike have been married for more than thirty years and have four children. https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/the-basis-for-doing-missions monthly 0.5 2020-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1607945346517-C4NQEWH1RRN5NAF1PMOD/italy-5046546_1920.jpg Blog - The Basis for Doing Missions https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/fight-the-good-fight-finish-your-race-keep-the-faith monthly 0.5 2020-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605624945892-JA50D765D3Q0K1JPO4W5/mm109.jpg Blog - Fight the Good Fight, Finish Your Race, Keep the Faith https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/competent-workmen-for-the-gospel monthly 0.5 2020-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605624809808-C4UYEHBNMN4B29F3VW6G/mm106.jpg Blog - Competent Workmen for the Gospel https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/quality-control-preserving-the-gospel-for-the-next-generation monthly 0.5 2020-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605624588678-31WN9M80KN9JO1LG2AZ4/MM105.jpg Blog - Quality Control: Preserving the Gospel for the Next Generation https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/a-light-from-the-shadows monthly 0.5 2020-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605616624944-G99ZW64BNR87IYS1VJO9/mm100.jpg Blog - A Light from the Shadows The Benedictine monastery of San Giorgio Maggiore, where Benedetto Fontanini, the author of the Benefit of Christ, lived and studied. https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Timothy monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/vino monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/italian+reformation monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/buonarotti monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Italian+wine monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/perseverance monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/fulfill+your+ministry monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/reformation+italy monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/milan monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Sforza monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/DOCG monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/rightly+handling+the+word+of+truth monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/benedetto+fontanini monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/benedetto+da+mantova monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/rightly+divide+the+word+of+truth monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/pattern+of+sound+words monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/keep+the+faith monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Saint+Ambrose monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/DOC monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Edict+of+Milan monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Fight+the+good+fight monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/benefit+of+christ monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Church+history monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Matthew+28 monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/a+worker+who+has+no+need+to+be+ashamed monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Sant%27Ambrogio monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Sforza+Castle monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/piet%C3%A0 monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/quality+control monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/2+timothy+4%3A7 monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/guard+the+good+deposit monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/mission+milan monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Michelangleo monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Soft+totalitarianism monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/il+beneficio+di+cristo monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Ambrose monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/preach+the+word monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Persecution monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Milano monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/pastoral+burnout monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Milan monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/Great+Commission monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/missions monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/benedetto+of+mantova monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/gospel monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/2+timothy+2%3A15 monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/2+timothy+2%3A14 monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/blog/tag/2+timothy+2%3A13 monthly 0.5 https://www.missionmilan.org/home daily 1.0 2025-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1607830983484-0VW5N7FLEY965V4ATVEA/mm10.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1607830925420-CCZ513Y9BFZJRPL1WW3Q/mm500.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1607831018019-73WX6FPHMUYTSV8YZ6ZC/mm40.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605793070522-BVR9P2TSYTQVN1KNXN96/8CA5418A-D3BE-4BAC-97DC-8DA865149117.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/aeb58a79-d252-4143-bf30-53ed8374467f/Ref+Italy.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/39f47e49-baa1-4fc1-87de-78973e63529d/Simbolo_CPRI_web_1024x1024.png Home https://www.missionmilan.org/contact daily 0.75 2020-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605621258803-ZQ878NYEXTHM0F5NCE33/mm40.jpg Contact https://www.missionmilan.org/donate daily 0.75 2020-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1605623149295-PZ13IWBH4MN3NOMTLFGZ/mm23.jpg Donate https://www.missionmilan.org/vision daily 0.75 2022-10-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/8f09c9b7-a21a-44b4-a75e-d6cb353bf40c/E5BC3B15-AAB5-422A-B90A-DEC7532D4E6E.jpeg Vision - A missionary and his family. Mission Milan is a mission work of the Escondido United Reformed Church dedicated to making disciples of Jesus Christ in Italy’s most global city. Rev. Michael Brown is an ordained minister in the United Reformed Churches in North America and serves as pastor of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia, a small but growing congregation located on the northwest side of Milan. Before being called as a missionary by the Escondido United Reformed Church, Rev. Michael Brown planted Christ United Reformed Church in Santee, California, where he served as pastor from 2003-2018. He is a graduate of Westminster Seminary California, and the author of numerous articles and books, including Sacred Bond: Covenant Theology Explored. He has also been a frequent guest on the White Horse Inn podcast for many years. Pastor Mike served as the chairman both of the URCNA Study Committee on Missions and the URCNA Missions Committee. He and his wife, Janie, have been married for more than 30 years. They have four children, three of whom are grown and live in the United States, and one (Iain) who is in high school in Milan. Pastor Mike, Janie, and Iain speak fluent Italian and love the people, culture and history of Italy. They have a passion for the gospel and feel very blessed to serve the growing church in Milan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1607837177600-K9URD5VHD1TZ0CZJ1767/europe-2436458_1280.jpg Vision - A needy mission field. Many people tend to think of Italy as a vacation destination, not a mission field. It is a country rich in history, culture, and cuisine. It is the land of the ancient Romans, the birthplace of the Renaissance, and the fashion capital of the world. But when it comes to the gospel, Italy is impoverished and bleak. Consider this question: Where do people go to church in Italy? Milan, for example, is a city of 8.2 million people. Where can they go to hear the gospel on Sunday? Although Christianity played a prominent role in Italy’s past and beautiful cathedrals still dot the horizon throughout the country, today one is hard-pressed to find a church that preaches God’s Word faithfully. Sadly, there are no Reformed or Presbyterian denominations in Italy. Less than 1% of the population identifies as Protestant. Consequently, Italy is a spiritually dark place to live. In 2006, while serving Christ United Reformed Church in Santee, California, Pastor Mike and his congregation became involved in a mission work that published Protestant literature into the Italian language. He was invited to make annual trips to Milan to preach and teach, helping believers grow in their understanding of the Bible and the Christian faith. The desperate need for the gospel in Italy began to weigh heavily on Pastor Mike and Janie. In 2018, the Lord called them to serve in Milan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/9eac01a0-1afa-4b51-b4ed-21d0a77aedbb/IMG_2753.JPG Vision - The priority of the local church. Without the local church, biblical Christianity cannot exist. This is our Lord’s chosen means for gathering His redeemed people, feeding them with His Word, receiving their worship, nurturing their faith, and bonding them as a community rooted and established in love (Romans 12; Ephesians 4; Philippians 1:27-2:11). We are committed to building personal relationships with our neighbors and reaching out to the lost with the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ, as well as cultivating the faith of those who have become members of the church through a ministry of Word, sacrament, and pastoral care. As a local manifestation of the Body of Christ, Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia seeks to love and serve one another. For as Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). https://www.missionmilan.org/milan daily 0.75 2020-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1607790530771-EF7EQPZPQNRJ4WBE52H7/skyscraper-5662482_1920.jpg Milan - Italy’s most global city. Milan is the New York City of Italy. It is one of world’s leaders in fashion, design, education, biotechnology, commerce, finance, and entertainment. Its business district hosts Italy’s stock exchange (Borsa Italiana), and the headquarters of several national and international banks and companies. After London and Paris, it is the largest economy among EU cities. Milan is also the world’s seventh most expensive city. With low wages, high unemployment, and astronomical taxes, most Milanese people live with a sense of anxiety and hopelessness. The city is rife with drugs, prostitution, and corruption. These characteristics make Milan a spiritually dark place to live, but also provide a marvelous opportunity for making disciples of Jesus Christ. With 8.2 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area, the city is host to almost no gospel witness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1607796400417-2Z3DPBHNTAYH4QWU8B18/italy-4695974_1920.jpg Milan - The need to rediscover the gospel. Christianity has played a significant role in Milan’s history. Here are some interesting facts: A church was planted here during the first century and survived under persecution for over 200 years. In 313, while Milan was the capital of the Roman Empire, the Emperor Constantine signed the Edict of Milan, giving Christianity protection and legal status in the empire. The first church building in the city was constructed in 314 (Santa Maria Maggiore) Ambrose was bishop here from 374 to 397. He planted five churches in the city. While Augustine lived here, he was mentored and baptized by Ambrose. The cathedral in Milan (known as the Duomo) took nearly six centuries to build and is the largest church structure in Italy with a capacity of 40,000 people. During the sixteenth century, it became an icon for the Counter-Reformation. Leonardo Da Vinci's famous mural painting "The Last Supper" is in a church (Santa Maria delle Grazie) in Milan. During the sixteenth century, there was a small Reformed community in Milan and nearby Lake Como, which was subsequently eradicated by the Roman Inquisition. Today, the Duomo is viewed more as an icon of the city of Milan than as a symbol of Chrisitanity. It functions more as a musuem than as a church. Throughout the year, throngs of tourists purchase tickets to enter and witness the beautiful architecture and views from the roof. But where is the gospel witness? Where is the clear and simple preaching of the Word? Where do people go to church on Sunday? Although Christianity has ancient roots in the city of Milan, today it is little more than a dying cultural tradition. https://www.missionmilan.org/ministry daily 0.75 2022-10-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1607883901177-8DIQRYJHDOXFPNYJN7FA/55EB904A-FC17-4D17-8E74-11F0880E722C.jpeg Ministry - A ministry of preaching, teaching, and pastoral care. As a missionary, Pastor Mike serves Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia by: Preaching Christ in expository sermons of the Word of God every Sunday morning; Administering the sacraments; Teaching the Heidelberg Catechism and the basics of the Christian faith during our catechism service. Teaching a Bible study on Wednesday evenings; Leading a monthly men’s study group; Providing pastoral care to the congregation; Writing articles and books in Italian; Creating evangelistic and teaching videos in Italian; Doing evangelism in the community. 100% of his ministry is done in the Italian language. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1607832616899-QG36MBTEWBZ9BGLB2J1V/mm14.jpg Ministry - A growing congregation. Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia is an Italian-speaking congregation of believers and their children who are united not by cultural practices, consumer preferences, or political parties, but by one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. We are a church committed to confessional, Reformed Christianity. We are passionate about the gospel, take worship seriously, and seek to live our lives to the glory of God alone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fabe0f630a5be1f90fd21ae/1607833310703-COO5E6P5GIWUPIBZ2M6Z/IMG_9364.jpg Ministry - Making disciples. Jesus said that the coming of His kingdom is like the growing of a tree (Luke 13:18–19). A tree doesn’t ordinarily grow by big and marvelous events, but through the slow, steady diet of sun and rain year after year. The same is true with the kingdom of God. More often than not, it does not grow by what the world considers a mark of success: big buildings, big budgets, and big names. Instead, it grows in simple and often small services where the gospel is proclaimed. It grows where believers and their children are baptized into the covenant community. It grows where repentant sinners come to a holy meal that appears tiny and insignificant. It grows where ordinary members of a congregation learn to love and serve one another. https://www.missionmilan.org/how-you-can-help daily 0.75 2020-12-14