Dear Brethren,
Since I wrote you last June many things happened. The members of CERF continue to be faithful in their Christian profession, and we continue to have a number of visitors who desire to commit themselves to Christianity and especially to the Reformed faith.
We also had number of visiting preacehrs in the last months. On Ascension Day, two URNCA pastors from California visited us on their way back from a mission trip in Armenia: Rev. Adam Kaloostian, pastor of Ontario United Reformed Church, and Rev. Mosves Jambazian, pastor of Pasadena United Reformed Church. Besides being edified by the ministry of preaching, it was encouraging for the people of CERF to hear these pastors and to see that the communion of the saints is not only a theoretical doctrine.
Later, we were visited by PCA missionary Mike Cuneo, a graduate of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Mike is a good man working to plant a church in the city of Viterbo, 75 miles North of Rome. As we both struggle to find like-minded people, we try to meet and invite each other to preach in our churches from time to time.
In June and July, Westminster Seminary California student Eric Chappell spent seven weeks with us as part of a pastoral internship. We asked Eric to expound Paul’s letter to the Colossians, which he did in twelve Christ-centered sermons. Besides preaching each Lord’s Day, Eric also accompanied me in some pastoral visitation and every Saturday afternoon led English classes for the benefit of our members and also for some of our friends outside the church. On the Sunday before Eric’s departure we invited those who followed his classes in English to attend the worship service, which they did. It was encouraging!
In Italy, the month of August is the time in which most of the people take their vacation. This is true especially of cities like Milan, which become deserted with usually only a few tourists remaining in the city. So, when the majority of the congregation was away to enjoy some time of rest and fun, our family spent some time in the Alps. We rented an apartment and we enjoyed some cool weather and quietness. My wife Cristina and my Mom Ivana relaxed at home while myself, Simone and Daniele went up and down from beautiful mountains. As usual, since it is only a hundred miles north of Milan, we came home each Lord’s Day during this time in order for me to preach at the church.
We ask you to remember us in prayer in the following ways:
- Pray for the faithful discharge of the ministry of the church by the minister, elders and deacons.
- Pray for a growth of the life in Christ in the members of CERF.
- Pray for the a work of conviction, regeneration and sanctification in the visitors.
- Pray for the future planting of confessional Reformed churches in Italy.