Our first Shepherds’ Conference at ITA at the end of January 2018 was the result of a long-haul effort based on several years of prior training behind it.
Here are some of the first fruits from the work:
First, conference participants were all men, men in ministry, leaders for the most part overwhelmingly coming from our classroom at ITA. While there were a few guests not directly related to our training, the majority came from the work that is currently, principally, and faithfully being done throughout Italy, from north, central, and south, by ITA professors (missionaries trained at TMS and TES presently serving on the field).
Second, the men attending are being of the same mind concerning the church. We are witnessing men coming together who are thinking more and more the same way about the importance of biblical exposition in and for the church.
Third, It was the first time that Messina Bible Church hosted a pastors’ and shepherds’ conference. Providing a model of local church ministry founded upon the priority of biblical exposition was but another first fruit present at our conference.
Fourth, we thank God for our speaker, Pastor Tom Pennington. Not new to Italy but certainly new to ITA and Messina church, Tom did an outstanding job. He was so specifically accurate to the call of duty. Perhaps, this is one of the many reasons Tom served us so exceptionally well. His messages hit the mark fully on what ITA is about and what ITA is striving to do in Italy by what it is about.
We finally wish to acknowledge ITA’s gracious givers to and supporters of our Shepherds’ Conference. The men received their scholarships and the conference received funding in full. Much praise to our great God for all those that gave and prayed.
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