From the first gospel trip (Torch relay 1, TR1), starting in early December 2025, until the close of the last gospel trip (Olympic games, OL2), it has been evident that the Lord has been moving in our move! There has been a “wheel within the wheel,” and many seeds have been sown in the places these teams have visited (the above map shows all the visited cities). A total of 246 saints from 9 different European countries (United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, and Switzerland), plus visiting saints from the US, Australia, Canada, China, Ghana, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, and Taiwan, and 62 saints from within Italy, joined together so that the Lord would have a way to bless the move of His Body in Italy. These teams distributed 15,843 Italian gospel tracts and met many people with whom they shared the riches of His salvation. There were 261 follow up appointments and 41 open homes.
The most striking thing experienced by the teams was meeting so many open vessels who expressed their desire for something real and eternal. Those who have been serving in Italy testified that there was a marked difference this year in how open people were to hearing the gospel and in the number who prayed to receive the Lord, and we even had several who were baptized. They received the word/ministry as we sang hymns and together read verses while overflowing our enjoyment of Christ and sharing Christ as our reality. We were encouraged to see many continuing to grow in the Lord appointment by appointment as we read through the Basic Elements of the Christian Life together.
Many open University of Padua students (Padua is close to the church in Vicenza) have been gathering in the homes. At the end of March over 15 from Italy attended the European university conference, including several new students.
Several groups of scattered saints in Italy were very supplied and encouraged by the saints coming for the TR and OL Gospel Trips. In Prato (and nearby Fucecchio) the saints have been there for more than a decade. The blending between these saints and the rest of the Body had been very limited, but the recent visitations have been a breath of fresh air! Through the blending the saints in Prato were stirred up to start taking the Lord's table. The Body has also been stirred up to visit more to be a supply to Prato. Several saints, including co-working brothers, have made repeated visits. Now, in fellowship with the Body, the saints are preparing to declare the lampstand in Prato on May 17.
In Turin also there is a group of saints who are desirous to be His testimony in that city and meet in the near future as the church in Turin. Saints from Spain, France, and other places have been repeatedly visiting Turin to shepherd the many open new ones and to strengthen the saints.
Our expectation is that surely the Lord will keep operating in people’s hearts so that the seeds will grow and develop, giving Him the way to raise up groups of seekers and lovers in these places. OL2 was the last gospel trip, but the Lord is not ending His moving in Italy; He is continuing to move. For this, may we remain one with Him in our praying, giving, and going. For our “going,” a letter with instructions to register for follow-up shepherding trips is
available here.
