Faenza Initiative
We see small communities of faith or house churches as primary expressions and agents for the expansion of God’s Kingdom in the world today and as such we will work to see such communities of faith come into existence, grow and multiply throughout the city of Faenza.
We desire to love the city and its people as Christ does and to demonstrate this love both in our personal relationships and through activities and programs which meet needs and build a foundation of trust and credibility which we believe to be essential for the proclamation of the Gospel. One of the best ways to love people is to meet their needs. We are in the process of finding ways to serve the society and bring hope. By God’s grace and the working of his Spirit people might come to see their need, trust in God’s provision in Jesus and enter his Kingdom, identifying themselves with Jesus and his people.
Specifically, we hope to:
- Develop a ministry (or offer help to the already existing social organizations) which reaches out through various activities to meet the needs of the community at large in Faenza – particularly targeting children and families.
- Plant small house or “rabbit” churches in Faenza capable of reproducing themselves.
- Encourage and equip the present churches in the region of Romagna and impart to them a vision for church planting and reproduction.
Not only do we seek to present the gospel in the community through social programs and activities oriented towards the meeting of needs where those who come can encounter the faith, but we also seek to proclaim the gospel both in these activities and to a greater extent in the Bible discussion groups and studies that will be formed to guide those desiring to know more about God. Our prayer and desire is that God the Father will use these activities and all those believers that participate in them to draw many to Christ and to his church.