Commission in Italia!
Insieme Conference, Ladispoli 26th – 28th April 2024
Chris Kilby and I arrived in Ladispoli on Thursday ahead of the ‘Insieme’ conference being hosted by Agape church. Insieme, translates as ‘Together’, and from the outset of the conference the unity and togetherness was apparent. We went to the Church that evening to find over a dozen people from two different churches setting up together, rehearsing together and laughing together. Agape Church, which Chris and a few others from across our wider family of Churches have been working with for many years, were hosting the conference at their Church building. They were supported by Porta Della Speranza, another local Church that are in the process of exploring their relationship with Commission. The partnership between these two small evangelical churches was beautiful and several other Churches from far across Italy were represented across the weekend.
Alongside the togetherness, which one leader described as a “miracle” in Italy, one of the primary aims of the conference was to continue to lay a foundation of doctrine and values in Agape Church. The theme for the weekend was ‘Strength in the Word and Power in the Spirit’. Chris spoke on the Friday night laying the foundation of the written Word of God being ‘Authoritative, Inerrant, Clear, Necessary and Sufficient’. I (Pete) then continued on Saturday morning focusing on Jesus Christ being ‘the Word made flesh,’ speaking from John 1. We had the joy of taking bread and wine together across nations and churches. In the afternoon Laurence, a friend from the UK with a huge heart for Italy and deep longstanding relationships in the Church there, taught into the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. God was moving in an increasingly tangible way and Laurence bought several words of knowledge that were responded to and at least one person, a lovely lady called Sylvia was instantly healed (see picture)
On the left Matt (one of the Elders) translating Chris as he preaches and prays. On the right is Sylvia who was healed on Saturday Night.
The brilliant worship team with members of both Churches leading us together over the weekend
The worship in every meeting was incredible. There was a tangible sense of the presence of God as we worshipped and declared simple truth together in Italian. ‘The Creed’ was undoubtedly the song of the conference which we sang at every meeting. In the evening session God completely took over. As Chris unpacked a biblical theology of the Holy Spirit and how He works in our lives today, God powerfully accompanied the message through the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Seemingly everyone in the room was impacted by the tangible presence of God, and some received the baptism of the Holy Spirit for the first time. God was speaking to individuals and the prophetic flowed in power. Chris was so overwhelmed by the presence of God, he struggled to finish the time of ministry! Matt, an outstanding local Elder and ever faithful translator, was on hand alongside Italo, another excellent and gracious Elder in Agape Church, to help lead through the meeting. The sense of joy and unity in the Spirit at the end of the evening was incredible, with everyone hugging one another and celebrating together, regardless of Church or nation. I was struck by the simplicity and power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit afresh, something I think we sometimes overcomplicate in the UK.
On the left see the joy and togetherness in the Spirit. On the right, Bryan is being prayed for and being filled with the Holy Spirit.
On Sunday, Italo led the final meeting of the conference, before Chris spoke on being Churches full of the Word and the Spirit. Again, a sense of celebration continued as we then had the honour of praying for Agape Church and their Elders and welcoming them into the Commission family. What an absolute joy! Agape is the first Commission Church in Italy! The whole church celebrated and were grateful for partnership in the gospel. Italy remains a heavily Catholic nation, where churches with our values (such as Grace, Word and Spirit) are few and far between. Several people told us that the meetings going on were a ‘miracle’. Patrick, the Pastor of the other Church in the town, Porta Della Speranza, has been meeting regularly with Chris on Zoom to discuss doctrine and to help him in his leadership. He too is now very keen to pursue a relationship with Commission and is hoping to bring a group from his Church to Commission Festival this year.
On the left Italo leads the meeting and was deeply moved throughout. On the right, Patrick (left of the three), pastor of Porto Della Speranza with members from Agape church.
What is clear is that establishing Churches of Word and Spirit in Italy is hard work; it really is a spiritual battle and takes a lot of time and trust. Zoom has been a helpful tool over the past few years to disciple and go through doctrine remotely, but there is nothing like being in-person, sharing a pizza, laughing together, crying together and experiencing God Together. On a personal level, this weekend reminded me of just how valuable our togetherness in the gospel is. It was a privilege to travel with Chris and see the huge value in building relationships and pursuing our global mission in God together. I have come back freshly encouraged and envisioned for our mission together. Taking a step back, this weekend felt like a significant milestone in our partnership with Italy. Please continue to pray for Italy, pray for the leaders there and specifically pray that a significant group are able to join with us at Commission Festival. God is good and powerfully at work among us. I was informed that Italy is one of the few European nations that has never experienced revival. Please pray big prayers for Italy; that it would see a revival sweep through the nation. God is on the move and Jesus will build His church.
Three of the Elders of Agape Church; Italo, Sergio and Matt being freshly commissioned and prayed for by Chris and the team for the work ahead.
Pete Clayton
Conferenza Insieme, Ladispoli 26-28 aprile 2024
Chris Kilby e io siamo arrivati a Ladispoli giovedì, in vista della conferenza “Insieme” ospitata dalla chiesa di Chiesa di Agape. Insieme significa “Insieme” e fin dall'inizio della conferenza l'unità e la coesione erano evidenti. unità e la coesione erano evidenti. Quella sera, quando siamo andati in chiesa, abbiamo trovato più di una dozzina di persone provenienti da due chiese diverse due chiese diverse che si stavano preparando insieme, stavano provando insieme e ridevano insieme. La Chiesa di Agape, con la quale Chris e alcuni altri membri della nostra famiglia di chiese lavorano da molti anni, ha ospitato il concerto. con cui Chris e altri membri della nostra famiglia di Chiese lavorano da molti anni, hanno ospitato la conferenza nell'edificio della loro Chiesa. Erano supportati da
Porta Della Speranza, un'altra Chiesa locale che sta esplorando il suo rapporto con la Commissione. La collaborazione tra queste due piccole chiese evangeliche è stata molto bella e Durante il fine settimana erano rappresentate diverse altre Chiese provenienti da tutta Italia.
Oltre all'unione, che un leader ha leader ha descritto come un “miracolo” in Italia,
uno degli obiettivi principali della conferenza è stato quello di continuare a gettare
di dottrina e di valori nella Chiesa di Agape. Il tema del fine settimana è stato
fine settimana è stato “Forza nella Parola e potenza nello Spirito”. Chris ha parlato
venerdì sera, gettando le basi della fondamento della Parola di Dio scritta è “Autorevole, Inerrante, Chiara, necessaria e sufficiente”. Io (Pete) ho poi continuato il sabato mattina
concentrandomi su Gesù Cristo che è “la Parola fatta carne", parlando da Giovanni 1. Abbiamo avuto la gioia di prendere il pane e il vino insieme, attraverso le nazioni e le chiese. nazioni e chiese. Nel pomeriggio Laurence, un amico del Regno Unito con un grande cuore per l'Italia e con profonde relazioni di lunga data nella Chiesa di quel Paese, ha insegnato ad approfondire il tema della Parola. e con profonde relazioni di lunga data nella Chiesa di quel Paese, ha insegnato la dottrina dello Spirito Santo. Dio si stava muovendo in modo sempre più tangibile e Laurence ha trasmesso diverse parole di conoscenza. che sono state ascoltate e almeno una persona, una bella signora di nome Sylvia, è stata guarita all'istante (vedi foto).
A sinistra Matt (uno degli anziani) traduce Chris mentre predica e prega. A destra Sylvia, che è stata guarita sabato sera.
Il brillante gruppo di adorazione con membri di entrambe le Chiese che ci ha guidato insieme durante il fine settimana.
Il culto in ogni riunione è stato incredibile. C'era un tangibile della presenza di Dio, mentre adoravamo e dichiarare insieme la semplice verità in italiano. Il “Credo” è stato senza dubbio la canzone della conferenza, che abbiamo cantato a ogni riunione. Nella sessione serale Dio ha preso il sopravvento. ha preso completamente il sopravvento. Chris ha illustrato una teologia teologia biblica dello Spirito Santo e di come opera oggi nella nostra vita. come opera oggi nella nostra vita, Dio ha accompagnato potentemente il messaggio attraverso la accompagnato il messaggio attraverso la persona e l'opera dello persona e l'opera dello Spirito Santo. Sembra che tutti i presenti siano stati dalla presenza tangibile di Dio e alcuni hanno ricevuto il battesimo dello Spirito Santo, e alcuni hanno ricevuto il battesimo dello Spirito Santo per la prima volta. Dio stava parlava agli individui e il profetismo profetico scorreva con potenza. Chris era così sopraffatto dalla presenza di Dio, che ha faticato a finire il tempo del ministero! Matt, un A L'eccezionale Anziano locale e traduttore sempre fedele, era a disposizione insieme a Italo, un altro eccellente e cortese Anziano di Agorà.
