In November, consultants from diaconate, evangelisation and mission on a working visit to Italy. They were introduced to the unique missionary work of Serenissima Ministries. It was a valuable opportunity to learn from their approach. An impression of the week.
Monday 18 November - Arrival in Italy
Serenissima Ministries is based in Fontanafredda, in northern Italy. We were warmly welcomed there by Rob and Sandy Krause, who introduced us to the work they do in the region. In the evening, we attend a meeting of Shepherds University, a training programme for aspiring elders. The group is working on the doctrine of salvation and missionary consultant Willem van 't Spijker spoke about the influence of Jacobus Arminius on this topic.
Tuesday 19 November - Introduction to the city of Conegliano and the LifeLabs
In the town of Conegliano, we meet pastor and pioneer Dani Taut and his wife Xenia. They show us the church centre, where there is space for church services but also for meeting around a thrift shop. Together with its neighbours, a beer wholesaler, parties are sometimes organised. This attracts people, who are curious about what is done here. They are then told that it is a church that wants to do good for the city and make it a better place. That generates good conversations.
Dani is a professional welder and one of the pioneers of the diaconal work called LifeLabs here. In the LifeLab, a mobile vocational classroom, status holders can learn a trade, such as welding and car engineering, and gain skills to integrate well into society. The social impact of this initiative is huge, as it both creates jobs and bridges different communities. Meetings with volunteers and participants showed how the gospel is put into practice: through acts of love and care.
In the evening, we have dinner together as consultants, talk about our first impressions and how we could take this forward in the Netherlands.
Wednesday 20 November - A social engagement in Trieste
In Trieste, we met pioneering couple Elio and Nicoletta Vanelli, who work there for Serenissima Ministries. They talk about Serenissima's plans to expand their mission to this city as well. The focus in Trieste is not on technical LifeLabs, as in Conegliano, but on more social LifeLabs: music lessons, social media courses and a babysitting service for parents. In this way, they want to connect people with the Christian community and the Christian faith in an approachable way. There is still a lot of renovation to be done, but the location is on a busy square in Trieste's most populous neighbourhood.
The work in Trieste is an example of how Serenissima Ministries adapts to the specific needs of the region.
Thursday 21 November - Discipleship and church planting in Udine
The city of Udine highlighted the importance of discipleship and church planting. The focus there is on building a close-knit community that believes in sharing the gospel. Rob Krause spoke about the importance of developing leaders who are responsible for the spiritual welfare of the church in addition to their work in society. This 'tentmaker model' is essential for the sustainability of the churches Serenissima is planning. Their vision is to establish a local church in every region with eighty thousand inhabitants. The emphasis here is not on quantitative growth, but on multiplying churches that can function sustainably and spread the message of Jesus Christ.
Friday 22 November - Reflection and conclusion in Oderzo
The working visit ends in Oderzo. Serenissima Ministries is preparing to start a pioneer community here. The visit to this pioneer place is a nice conclusion to a week full of valuable encounters and discoveries. We returned to the Netherlands with new insights and inspiration. Each of the consultants felt the desire to further explore the methods and experiences of Serenissima Ministries and, where possible, to apply them in their own context.
Retrospective
The work of Serenissima Ministries is a wonderful example of how the gospel can be put into practice through integral mission. Rob Krause and his team have a strong theological foundation and a clear mission: to seek the good for the city. Not only by proclaiming the gospel, but also by offering practical help to people who are often overlooked in society. The LifeLabs play a crucial role in this. They are places where people can learn skills, develop themselves and at the same time be introduced to the Christian faith.
Another important aspect of Serenissima's work is its focus on discipleship and training leaders. This is primarily aimed at multiplying churches reaching new regions rather than growing the existing congregation. The combination of diaconate, evangelism and leadership development makes Serenissima Ministries an inspiring example of missionary work that is both practical and spiritual in nature.
Getting to know Serenissima's strategy and working methods inspired us as consultants of diaconate, evangelisation and mission. This working visit also challenged us to think about the ways in which we ourselves can enrich our work and mission.
