September 2021
After meeting in a café during six weeks of renovation, we were able to return our church building on the first Sunday of September. This joyful occasion was a new milestone in the life of our church, as we were able to double the size of our seating capacity and provide our little facility with some much-needed updates (new windows, new flooring, new cealing, new paint, etc.). We have also added a small nursery for visitors with infants. The remodel is not yet finished, but we are able to meet in the building in the meantime. We give God thanks for his mercies to Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia, as he continues to show himself faithful to his church in Milan.
New Members’ Course
Lord willing, I will complete another new members’ course this week with two individuals: Federico, a young man from Milan who has been attending our church for more than a year, and Natalia, a graduate student from Colombia who moved to Milan to study. Our discussions during the lessons have been very fruitful and encouraging. Please pray for both of these young believers, that the Lord will guide them, bless them, and strengthen them in faith, hope, and love, especially as they consider the commitment of membership in the local church.
Rev. Vincenzo Coluccia Scheduled to Preach at Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia
On September 26, PCA missionary Vincenzo Coluccia, who is overseen by New Life Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Escondido, California and serving in southern Italy, will preach at Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia. The Consistory has extended this invitation to Rev. Coluccia for our mutual enouragement and to strengthen our relationship with him and the mission work in Lecce. We are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to renewing fellowship with our brother. Vincenzo and I will also attend a Gospel Coalition conference in Bologna on the previous day, September 25. We hope that this will be an opportunity to get to know other pastors and church-planters in Italy.
Reformation Europe Pastors’ Retreat 2021
From October 4-7, I will be in Romania for the Reformation Europe Pastors’ Retreat. The purpose of this event is to create the opportunity for fellowship with other Reformed missionaries in Europe.
Milan Conference on Reformed Theology
On Saturday, October 30, our church will host the second annual “Milan Conference on Reformed Theology.” Unfortunately, this conference was cancelled last year due to Covid-19 restrictions. This year, however, we plan to hold the event at our church building. The conference will be a joint effort between three churches in the city: Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia, Chiesa Presbiteriana di Legnano, and Chiesa Veritas. The theme this year will be on “Rediscovering the Gospel in Italy.” Each of the pastors of these three churches (Rev. Humberto Arisa de Olivera, Rev. Keith Jones, and myself) will give a lecture on one of the “Solas” of the Reformation. We pray that this conference will strengthen the relationship between our three churches and provide many with an opportunity to learn more about the gospel.
Family Matters
We are grateful to God that our family is doing well. Our younger son, Iain (pictured above), has begun a another year of studies, entering grade 11. He is a hard-worker in academics, and wants to pursue medical school. More importantly, he continues to grow in his faith in Christ. Thank you for praying for him!
Our older son, Isaac (pictured below with Iain), is in the process of obtaining a residency permit in order to live with us here in Milan. We ask for your prayers in this regard, as there are a multitude of bureaucratic hurdles. We pray that Isaac will receive his residency permit. Otherwise, he will need to return to the United States and apply for a visa.
As always, Janie and I want to thank you for all of your prayers, encouragement, and support. We could not do this mission without you. May the Lord continue to bless you, guide you, and protect you as you seek to bring him glory by living in gratitude for his grace to us in Christ.
~ Pastor Mike
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” ~ Acts 20:24
If you would like to help by making a donation, you may give online here on our website or send a check to:
Escondido United Reformed Church
1864 N. Broadway
Escondido, CA 92026
Attn: Mission Milan
Checks should be made out to Escondido United Reformed Church. Please indicate that the support is for Rev. Michael Brown as a missionary to Milan, Italy.
