ITALY Team
For the second year running, we plan to send an all-age, mixed team to the city of Mantova in Northern Italy, to work alongside Coram Deo Ministries in outreach during a five-day Literary Festival in the city.
The team will be based in Porto Mantovano, a district of the ancient city of Mantova, which has a history going back to Roman times.
Mantova is located about 30 kilometres south of Verona and, although it is unknown to the majority of tourists who flock to Lake Garda and the surrounding area, it has been acknowledged as one of the most beautiful cities in Italy!
Who Will The Team Be Working With?
The team will be working alongside members of Coram Deo Ministries and Sola Grazia Chiesa Cristiana Evangelica ('Only Grace Evangelical Christian Church'), a small church-plant in Mantova.
The name Coram Deo comes from an old Latin expression meaning: ‘Before the face of God’. Coram Deo Ministries aspires to sentiments and aspirations of living in God’s presence, under God’s authority and to the honour and glory of God.
Ian McElhinny, an elder in First Ballymena Presbyterian Church, who is European Coordinator for Coram Deo Ministries, says:
“We in Coram Deo are under no illusions as to who we are, a living testimony you could say of how God can use men and women who can be weak, discouraged, lonely, struggling believers who cry out to Him to accomplish amazing things for His glory in Italy. And what do we do in Coram Deo? Wetranslate and publish books, plant churches and encourage Christians in their daily walk with God.”
What Will The Team Be Doing in Italy?
Each year, Mantova hosts a five-day Literary Festival, when famous authors come and talk about their books. Other events take place around the festival, which is attended by over 100,000 people from all over Italy. The team will assist in outreach to local residents, as well as to the many visitors who will be in Mantova for the annual Literary Festival.
Being part of this team will enable members of PCI to work alongside Italian Christians and learn about the opportunities and challenges they face.
On their return home, it is expected that team members will share what they have seen and learnt, and highlight the needs of the Church in Italy with congregations throughout PCI.
Whilst in Italy, there will be opportunities for the team to 'take time off' and see around the ancient city of Mantova; as well as visit Verona and Florence; see a master potter create an authentic work dating back to the Italian Renaissance; and, perhaps, make a visit to the coast.
During their stay in Mantova, team members will stay in the homes of local Christians.
Why Is The Team Going?
- To share with Italian Christians in outreach to their compatriots.
To serve the Lord through sharing the gospel.- To be part of a community event.
- To support and encourage the work of Coram Deo Ministries.
- To have fellowship with and encourage Christians from a different background and culture.
- To learn about the Church in Italy and the challenges faced by evangelical Christians living there.
- To grow in personal Christian faith and experience.
On return, team members will be expected to share what they’ve seen and learnt, so that congregations and individuals will catch the vision for, and be more strongly committed to, serving in God’s mission to the world, whether in Ireland or overseas.
What Others Have Said About Last Year’s Team …
Adeline Jobb, Team Member:
“Going on the team gave me an insight into what life is like for believers in Italy and the challenges they face. It was good to get alongside members of 'Sola Grazia' church and encourage them in their desire to reach out to others with the Good News of Jesus. It was a privilege to be involved, especially considering how little outreach there is in Italy.”Stephen McIntyre, Assistant Team Leader:
“We found that not only is Italy a beautiful country, but its people are special. Working alongside the church, growing to love them as brothers and sisters in Christ, laughing and being joyful, sowing the seed and witnessing God watering it, watching the large number of people who came to hear John Blanchard speak and sensing that the work we did was not in vain.”Andrea Artioli, Pastor of 'Sola Grazia' (Only Grace Evangelical Christian Church):
"We as a family, and as a church, appreciated so much the PCI team members’ love for God, their help, support, friendship and fellowship in Christ. This team, and what they did, far exceeded our best hopes and expectations!”
What Size Will The Team Be?
The final decision on team composition and size will be made after interviews are held in February 2012, but the total is unlikely to exceed 10 to 12 people.
Who Is Leading The Team?
For the second year running, Rev Alan Johnston, minister of Hazelbank Presbyterian Church in Coleraine, will be the team leader. He will be glad to speak to anyone interested in going on this team, who wants to know more about it. T: +44 (0)28 7035 2891, E: alan.johnston@virgin.net
Who Can Apply & What’s Expected?
This all-age, mixed team is being organised by the Board of Mission Overseas (BMO).
Applicants MUST be –
- An active member of a PCI congregation and aged 18 or over on 1st July, 2012.
- Physically fit and able to cope with a busy and intense schedule of activities.
- Prepared to attend team meetings on a number of occasions before going – for prayer, preparation, orientation and team-building.
- Committed, on return, to attend a ‘team debrief’ and share in ‘reporting back’.
What Will It Cost & How Do I Apply?
| Cost: | £700 per person This includes: travel, insurance, accommodation and subsistence. |
| Travel: | By air to Italy, most likely from Dublin to Milan By road from Milan to Mantova. |
| Dates: | Depart - Saturday, 8th September 2012 Return - Monday, 17th September 2012 |
| Applications: | To be made through the Mission Overseas Office. CLOSING DATE for Applications - Friday, 20th January 2012 |
| Interviews: | Interviews are expected to take place in early February 2012. Date and venue to be confirmed. |
DOWNLOAD Application Form for the ITALY Team 2012 (pdf 235Kb).
If you need further information or help, please contact the Mission Overseas Office.
Successful applicants, who are aged 18-25, should be eligible to apply to PCI's Concorde Travel Fund for assistance with travel costs.
Applications for a Concorde Travel Grant MUST be submitted to the Youth & Children's Office by NO LATER THAN Thursday, 1st March 2012.
PLEASE NOTE that travel dates may change. The team may also be withdrawn, if not enough suitable applicants apply, or circumstances change.
IGNITE Mission Teams 2012: Romania | Ukraine | London | Italy
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