And Eva too!

WHAT MATTERS TO CHRIST MATTERS TO US AS FOLLOWERS OF

CHRIST

Matthew 9:36When he saw the crowds, he had

compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like

sheep without a shepherd.

WHAT MATTERS TO CHRIST MATTERS TO US AS FOLLOWERS OF

CHRIST

John 3:19And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. (ESV)

Penetrating the darkness

with the light of truth in Perugia,

Italy

Isn’t Italy alread a Christian nation?

Here are a few quotes

representative of the Italian mindset:

“…to Jesus as a judge, it also belongs to punish; but mercy alone belongs to the

blessed Virgin…We more easily find

salvation by going to the Mother than by going to

the Son.” St. Anselm,

catholic theologian 1033 - 1109

“We should always be disposed to believe that that which appears white

is really black, if the hierarchy of the Church so

decides”

Ignatius of Loyola (founder of the Jesuits)

Only 1% of Italians claim to be evangelicals.

Italy 2012Population: 60 million

In Umbria, 88 out of 92 townships are without a known Gospel testimony.

Umbria

How can we reach the people of Italy?

1. Faithfulness over time2. Strategic Ministries

1. Faithfulness over time

Claudio: came to faith after attending with his wife for 20 years.

Centro Evangelico Battista

Then (1976-2008) Now

2. Our Strategic Ministries

Prayer

Worship

Youth

Discipleship

Theological Training

3. Other Strategic Ministries

TV and Radio Ministry

Soccer Ministry

Men’s Ministry

Our Greatest Challenges

- Health problems (cancer)

- Bureaucratic challenges

- Transition from missionary led work to indigenous work and reaching the other areas of Umbria

-Bringing in new missionaries

Prayer requests

1. Reach the unreached with the Gospel2. Equip followers of Christ3. Equip leaders for the church of tomorrow4. Future church plants in central Italy5. Spiritual and physical protection6. Spiritual growth7. Balance life’s demands in life

and ministry

What can I do?

Prayer: Adopt an unreached Umbrian township.

What can I do?

Prayer: Adopt an unreached Umbrian township!

Information: Inform others about the needs in ItalyInvest: Continue to support missions in ItalyCome: Send your pastor and/or key

missions people to surveythe ministry

“Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell;

I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.”

C. T. Studd, 1860-1931. English missionary to China, India, and

Africa

[14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. […]  [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

(Matthew 5:14,16)

Pray for the Whitmans, Pray for Italywww.jonnywhitman.com

A ministry in partnership withCalvary Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, MI

and Baptist Mid-Missions