February 2023
New Member
On Sunday, January 29, we received a new member into our church. Federico Gobbo, 28, (pictured above, while Elder Vittorio Calderaro makes an announcement from the pulpit) stood during public worship and took vows of membership, entering into full communion with Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia. Federico attended our church off and on for about two years before deciding to take the new members course. He comes from a Roman Catholic family, but was later converted and attended a Brethren church. He started attending Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia largely because of his friend, Giovanni Rinaldi, who has been a member of our church for a few years. Federico has since become more integrated in the life of the congregation, regularly attending worship, catechism, and the monthly men’s meeting. I have been pleased to get to know Federico and see him grow in his faith, hope, and love. He is serious about his walk with the Lord. Please pray that the Lord brings more young adults like Federico to our church in Milan.
More New Members on the Way
I am happy to report that I’ve been teaching two separate new members courses: one for a Sicilian couple who have been married for more fifty years and have a background in the Pentecostal church. Carmello and Francesca La Leggia are dear saints who love Christ, his Word, and his Church. We went through the Heidelberg Catechism together for 12 weeks, meeting in their home for discussion. They eagerly completed all the homework and were always ready to talk. I thoroughly enjoyed our meetings, and look forward to seeing them become members.
The other new members class is with the Pinelli family (also originally from Sicily!): Francesco, Maria, Giuseppe and Lia. We meet in their home every Wednesday to go through the Heidelberg Catechism together. This family has attended our church for some time and has been a blessing as they regularly serve and participate in the life of the church. We are grateful that the Lord has brought them to Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia and look forward to them becoming members in full communion.
Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia’s First Wedding
On January 28, I had the privilege of officiating the wedding of Tony Nero and Alyona Gontar, a beautiful Christian couple who are part of our church. Tony discovered Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia during the first pandemic lockdown in 2020, watching our livestream sermons and apologetic videos. As soon as the lockdown was lifted, he began attending our church in person, making the drive from Lake Como. Later, after attending for some time, he became a member. He serves and participates in our church in a variety of ways, including his role as an accompanist on Sunday mornings. After meeting Aly, who comes from a Pentecostal church, he invited her to Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia where she began attending. After a period of courtship, Tony proposed to Aly. I was happy to meet with the couple for premarital counseling and subsequently officate the wedding ceremony, which was a joyful event.
Family Matters
By God’s grace, Janie, Iain, and I are all well, staying busy with work, school, and commitments. Thank you for your prayers for our health. Janie and I both recovered from illness and are feeling better. I have even been back on my bike, trying to get plenty of exercise by cycling at least 150km a week. Thank you for your prayers for Iain. Some of you wrote to me and said that you are praying that the Lord will send him at least one Christian friend. We are praying for the same, and look forward to sending him to the Reformed Youth Services national convention in July. We pray that this will be an encouragement to him and that he will meet other Christian kids.
As always, thank you for reading these updates and remaining vigilant in prayer for us and Mission Milan. Thank you for your encouragement and support.
~ Pastor Mike
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” ~ Acts 20:24
If you would like to help by making a donation, you may give online here on our website or send a check to:
Escondido United Reformed Church
1864 N. Broadway
Escondido, CA 92026
Attn: Mission Milan
Checks should be made out to Escondido United Reformed Church. Please indicate that the support is for Rev. Michael Brown as a missionary to Milan, Italy.
