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Window on Western Europe
March 2007
In a global fellowship the variety of ways God is at work in the midst of differing cultures, economic environments and political conditions is endless. To grow more passionate about the work of God we must look and listen carefully. March in the Church of God of Prophecy is an exciting opportunity to look at the world and listen for the Spirit's voice to understand better what He is calling each of us to do. Use the stories and information shared to concentrate your thoughts, prayers, and gifts on God's amazing harvest of human lives.

Lighting the Darkness in Italy
Christianity in Western Europe is rather like the old Roman Empire, synonymous with a once great power that has crumbled in the ashes of history. That perception is certainly not entirely a piece of fiction. However, the Spirit of God is at work and He has evidently not abandoned the nations that once comprised the Greco-Roman world. Ximo and Judy Gregorio have a marvelous story of personal redemption and total transformation. They are classic examples of the activity of the Lord of the Harvest in Western Europe and continue to minister in this profoundly needy part of the world.

At the recent General Assembly Brother Ximo was appointed missionary overseer of Italy, Malta, Bosnia and Macedonia but without a specific allotment from our missions budget. Italy is a snapshot of Western Europe, wealthy and worried all at the same time. It is a magnet for immigrants with Albanians, Romanians, Bulgarians, Nigerians, Ukrainians, Moroccans, Greeks, Philippinos, and South Americans flooding the borders of this economic heavyweight. Italy is a bit like ancient Corinth, a headquarters for every kind of religious seeker and system. Rome has the largest mosque in Western Europe and Islam is growing rapidly. Turin is a global center for Satanists who "pray" for the elimination of all evangelical missionaries. There are 100,000 full-time magicians. Most Italians are nominal Catholics but they are extremely cynical about the church. In northern Italy less than one in 1000 people is born again. The darkness is intense, but the light is shining.

The second national convention of the Church of God of Prophecy in Italy was an occasion to celebrate the light of Jesus. Under the theme of Reaping with Compassion three congregations gathered to exalt Christ, encourage each other through word and testimony, and equip one another for the task of evangelism. Miquele de la Cava and his wife from Nᰯles ministered with the prophetic Word; Raul Arce from Cuba exhorted eloquently about the harvest; Judy Gregorio shared the urgency to minister to the children; and Brother Ximo closed with a message faithfulness in the ministry. All were blessed is an appropriate capstone for this time of corporate ministry and fellowship.

What we pray for is a window into the state of our souls, so look into the hearts of our Italian brethren as they share their prayer burdens and join them:

• Local training for leaders
• New facility for the church in Alessandria
• Healing for Pastor Luigi in Rome
• Revival within the churches

Ways You Can Help

• PRAY for the Gregorios and the work in Italy.
• Help to support dedicated national leaders, church planters and evangelists through Harvest Partners Level One.
• Help to provide buildings for congregations.
• Help to train native leaders.

How to Send Help
Individual donors can contribute through the Helping Hands Ministry and churches may contribute through Harvest Partners Level Two (project) giving. Mission Marker Partners is also available for giving specifically for helping churches with buildings.

Please make all checks payable to Church of God of Prophecy and be sure to specify where you would like your offering to go by designating it as HP Level 2 eg. Italy or Ximo and Judy Gregorio.

Send to:
Church of God of Prophecy
P.O. Box 2910
Cleveland, TN 37320-2910

Note: All gifts are tax deductible and 100% of your gift is applied to the need you specify.