“The task of the Evangelical Church in Italy is to pray for refugees but also to welcome them”, says the president of the AEI at a Refugee Sunday event.
A moment of the event. / [link]AEI Facebook[/link]
The Italian Evangelical Alliance (AEI), along with the OASI ministry and the SDV church, recently organised an event at the Sorgente di Vita church in Milano, to reflect on the reality of imprisonment faced by refugees.
The theme of the event, I was in prison, “does not only mean imprisonment behind bars, but also other types of prison: physical, spiritual, mental”, says the AEI .
“The good news is that Jesus came precisely to break the chains of oppression and bring freedom to every situation of imprisonment”, they add.
During the morning service, two former refugees share their testimonies, which “had in common the search for God, who brought salvation into their lives; not only that, but both found a new family in Christ when they arrived in Italy”, explains the AEI.
“The task of the Evangelical Church in Italy today is still to pray for refugees and those living in captivity, but also to open its doors and welcome these people whom God is sending from every nation and tribe, so that they may be supported and learn the good news of the Gospel”, pointed out AEI president, Giacomo Ciccone, who was one of the speakers.
Samuele Pellerito, pastor of SDV church and president of Elim churches in Italy, reminded attendees about the history of Paul and Silas in Acts 16.
“It is not always possible to reach certain places or understand certain forms of imprisonment, but there is one thing we can do: pray for those who are in prison, oppressed, and those who do not have what we have. Those in need need to hear the message of freedom found in Christ Jesus”, underlined Pellerito.
After the preachings, there was time to pray “for all those who are fleeing their country because of war, violence, disasters and persecution” and “for the church in Italy and throughout the world, that it may be ready to evangelise and welcome refugees”.
The day continued with a Peruvian lunch, followed by the presentations of several missionary projects.
The first one was Oltre (Beyond), carried out by a couple who once a month, along with other collaborators, bring food and the gospel to the homeless.
Claudio Pepe presented Al Massira, a documentary film aimed at Muslims, that explains God's revelation in the Bible. Translated into many languages, the film “has already been tested in some churches and is bearing fruit”.
The last project was Crivop, led by Michele Recupero, who shared his missionary work inside and outside prisons. He told the story of alleged boat smugglers, who are imprisoned because “they were framed by those who actually carried out the trafficking”.
Afterwards, a group of refugees arrived and were welcomed by those present with a buffet of Arabic sweets and the distribution of clothes. There was also “a precious moment of intercession for these young people” says the AEI.
The day ended with a game of soccer, “with the aim of allowing these young people to build relationships”.
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