A Lesson on Recent History
GiM Italy is not as old as the ancient ruins found all over the nation. But in contrast we are up and running! In the early 1980s the Lord brought together a team of people with a vision and a burden for this nation.
The very first Discipleship Training School (DTS) in the Italian language was held in 1983. In 1984 the first ministry in the Italian language was opened in the Swiss canton of Ticino (the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland). GiM began in Italy in 1987, and in 1988 we established the first missionary centre of Gioventù in Missione in Cadegliano. After that a centre began in Orosei (Sardinia - later in Irgoli) and finally a third centre started up in Perugia (Umbria). In 2004, a fourth centre was opened in Piedimonte Etneo (CT), not far from Taormina.
Over the years, the activities of
GiM have gained official recognition by the Region of Lombardia as
a Voluntary Association (ONLUS) qualified to work in the family and
social sector. Later on, judicial recognition on the State's behalf
was also given.
More then 20 years since our beginning and … let’s go on
!
The National Council of GIOVENTU’ IN MISSIONE – Italia, composed of
-Enos Nolli (in charge of the national base of Piedimonte Etneo, Sicily and Director of GiM-Italia)
-Enzo Barbato (base leader in Cadegliano, Lombardy)
-Ciro Dicembrino (base leader in Irgoli, Sardinia)
-Sergio Di Lullo (base leader in Perugia, Umbria)
following the annual Assembly of the Association held at Cadegliano on 15th March 2008, where among other matters consideration was given to various situations that had arisen in the course of the last three years of ministry, it was considered opportune to elect to continue to operate in autonomy from
YOUTH WITH A MISSION (YWAM) with the four bases active in Sicily, Lombardy, Sardinia and Umbria and with their respective workers.
This decision has grown out of the conviction that in this way the Body of Christ in Italy can best be served according to the vision the Lord transmitted to us way back in 1987. Those who were able to take part with us in the recent celebration of 20 years of ministry of GiM in Italy, were able to witness the wonderful faithfulness and grace which God has extended to us in all these years.Taking into consideration therefore the culture and traditions of our country, we wish to continue to be faithful servants together with those He has called and will continue to call to serve together with us in our Mission. Working together with YWAM has been of great importance to us, and now, at this juncture, we want to express, as the National Council of GiM-Italia, our blessing on those who will continue operating in Italia under the aegis of YWAM.
Our Mission, which has already benefited for some time from legal recognition on the part of the State, will continue to operate in the field of evangelism, Biblical training, counselling and practical assistance in Italia and wherever in the world the Lord may call us...
We want to thank those who have had
confidence in us thus far and wish to continue to support us and
believe in us for the future.