December 2023
Let Earth Receive Her King!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Janie, Iain, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the Lord richly bless you as you reflect on the greatest event of human history and what it means for us: that in the fullness of time Christ came into this dark and broken world to redeem lost sinners through his life, death, and resurrection. Only in Him do we have a living hope that looks beyond the horizons of this present evil age to the promised land of a new heaven and a new earth where we will glorify God and enjoy him forever. While we enjoy peace with God now because of Christ’s first advent, we will experience this peace in its fullest measure at Christ’s second advent. When the King returns, he will bring everlasting peace on earth as he ushers in the glory of the age to come. This present age, with its sorrow and suffering, will come to an end for God’s people. In that day, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev 21.4)
In the meantime, as believers living between the two advents of Christ, we have the blessed privilege of serving God, enjoying Him, and telling others about His Son.
Whatever 2024 brings in your life, we pray that you will be strengthened by grace in Christ and remember that God is good, and His steadfast love endures forever.
Here is a brief update on Mission Milan.
Ministry of the Word
In November, I finished preaching through the book of Exodus and started a new expository series on the Gospel of Luke. In our catechism service, I finished the Westminster Shorter Catechism and began a new series on the doctrine of the church from the Belgic Confession. We have also started a new Wednesday night Bible study and prayer meeting. It is a tremendous blessing to gather with members of the congregation during the week to pray, sing, study God’s Word, and fellowship. For this study, I am teaching through Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
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.
Small Group Bible Study
Last month I mentioned that I have been leading a monthly small group Bible study in the home of a widow who lives on the southeast side of the city. By God’s grace, this Bible study continues to grow. There are several widows in the group, and some people who are reading the Bible for the first time.
Please pray for this ministry and the souls of those hearing the gospel.
Conference in Sicily
From December 8th to the 10th, Janie and I had the privilege of participating in a conference commemorating the 100th anniversary of J. Gresham Machen’s classic Christianity & Liberalism, which has been translated and published in Italian. The conference was hosted by Chiesa Sola Grazia, a confessional Reformed Baptist church in Caltanissetta, Sicily. This church graciously invited me to be one of the speakers. One of the families of our church in Milan (the Rinaldi family) also made the journey to Sicily to attend the event.
The conference was edifying and the fellowship was encouraging. It provided us with a great opportunity to get to know other Protestants in Italy and strengthen friendships. A particular highlight was the preaching of 85-year-old Rev. Geoffrey Thomas, a disciple of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
Family Matters
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!
Janie is doing well. Beyond leading the ladies’ book club and doing most of the tech work for the church, she remains busy as an English teacher. For more than three decades, she has been my greatest source of encouragement and earthly joy. I am so grateful to God that I get to make my journey through life with her.
We continue to ask for your prayers regarding a home. If it is the Lord’s will that we should stay in Italy long-term, we believe that this would be a wise investment of resources and important to our mission. Please pray that the Lord provides a way for us to do this and that he leads us according to his will.
Grazie di Cuore
As always, Janie and I give thanks to God for all who support Mission Milan. Thank you for your prayers, letters of encouragement, and financial commitment. May the Lord continue to bless you and strengthen you in faith, hope, and love.
Pastor Mike and Janie
Buon Natale!
This mission to Milan is only possible with the faithful prayers and generous contributions of people like you. If you would like to help us meet our goal by making a donation, you may send a check to:
Escondido United Reformed Church
1864 N. Broadway
Escondido, CA 92026
Checks should be made out to Escondido United Reformed Church. Please indicate that the support is for Rev. Michael Brown as a missionary to Italy.
