One Year of "Insieme" (Together)

"Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven."

One year ago, we officially launched "Insieme", the first Christian Evangelical Church in Caselle.

[Well, technically it is the 2nd, as we did have a church plant going from 2010-2012, but that dissolved with circumstances out of our control.]

During our furlough, Jonathan began our presentation with much enthusiasm about there now being an evangelical church in Caselle. The audience's reaction was generally the same everywhere we went...silence...or maybe a softly spoken "Amen". Of course, we would have loved to hear hoops and hollers and loud shouts of Amens! Those came after the explanation that, as far as we know, in the 2000+ years of our city's history this is the first presence of an established evangelical church in our community. When you stop to think about that, it is sobering and exciting at the same time. There are thousands more towns and cities that still have no gospel presence. The need is SO great here!!

We began our services when the Italians we have been ministering to began to ask and desire to see a church established. Everyone was all-in from the beginning and the enthusiasm and participation have not diminished. Our first service on October 1, 2017, was a humble beginning. Since then we rejoice in three baptisms, new regular attendees, occasional visitors, and that we have an Italian man already sharing the preaching ministry! This is ALL God and it is our joy and great privilege to see GOD building his church.

We are excited to see all that God will do in our second year...

We host the Sunday services in our home. This is our multi-purpose taverna room.

Jonathan teaching from God's Word. 

Baptisms: June 17, 2018 

Baptismal service with many first time guests in attendance.

Dalida

Guido

Sara

A gorgeos day for outside baptisms and fellowship on our front porch.

And as always, plenty of food...

...and cake.

Agape meal to celebrate the one year anniversary.

A beautiful and encouraging day to have 2 long prayed over and anticipated visitors join us.

If there is something to celebrate, there is a reason for cake!

4-layer spice cake with cream cheese frosting. It's fall y'all!