Jan/2019 - NEWS LETTER - NICODEMO FAMILY -ITALY

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; And let them say among the nations,“The LORD reigns.” 1Ch 16:31

The statement, "The LORD reigns," is an appeal for universal recognition of the sovereignty of the God of Israel. God in His grace and accurate plan called Israel to a special covenant relationship with Himself. But this does not mean that God rejected the other nations. On the contrary, when God chose Israel it was to be the light for all the nations.

Almost 3000 years after the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem, today through the Messiah and Savior Jesus Christ, we were incorporated into the spiritual Israel of God, and in turn we also are ambassadors in the world.

Our mission is to take Jesus Christ, who lives in our hearts, by proclaiming the Gospel so that people from every nation and tribe will turn to the only true God.

When we announce that the LORD reigns, we are participating in the worship that spreads from the highest heavens and over all the earth.

I want to invite you and your church to "MAKE THE EARTH GLAD"! This is the theme of the 2019 World Mission Board campaign. 

As part of this project, we are privileged to share true Joy in 79 countries, reaching over 80,000 people on 5 continents.

But when we think that in the world there are still 2 billion people who have never heard of Jesus as King, Lord and Savior and are unaware of what verse 31 says: "The Lord reigns!" we recognize that much remains to be done.

Our mission  will be completed when all the nations hear: The LORD reigns!  We want to challenge you and your church to continue this year of 2019 with the commitment to take Jesus to the ends of the earth. As your missionaries in Italy, we will continue with all eagerness and dedication to forge ahead, whether there is sun or rain, heat or cold.

Take the opportunity to challenge other brothers and sisters to participate with us. In doing that, the work will continue to grow and lives will be saved.

Pray for Italy!

- Population: 60 million

- 74% of Catholics, but only 24% really practice it.

- Rome, the world headquarters of the Catholic Church, but in it is also located the largest mosque in Europe.

- It is the country with the greatest influence in European and world culture, mainly in the arts and religion.

- 22.6% between agnostics, atheists and without religion, according to IPSOS research.

- 3% of Islamists (2 million), according to CESNUR research.

- Orthodox Church (1,7 million).

- 0.9% of Protestants (about 700,000).

- 430,000 Jehovah's Witnesses.

- 100,000 wizards work full time in the country.

- Satanism is strong mainly in the region of Torino (Turin).

- Some regions are well marked by oppression

- Northern Italy has the highest rates of suicide.

- Most churches have about 45 members.

- There is one pastor for every 380 thousand inhabitants.

- Of the 8,101 municipalities (comuni) only 5% have a study group, a small church or an evangelical testimony.

- There are only 20,000 Baptists in Italy.

- The country is one of the most difficult places for the preaching of the Gospel, considered by many as the "missionary cemetery," because most quit in less than three years.

In Christ, 

Fabiano, Anne, Fabiola, Fernando and Fabrizio Nicodemo.

Your missionaries.

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