September 2000
Dear praying friends,
The Focus 2000 conference was a tremendous success! Thank you for praying to that end. Over 300 Christian workers were present. What they received was a week of foundational Bible teaching concerning the nature of the church and the gospel with a clear emphasis against pragmatism and ecumenism. With the framework of biblical teaching in place, any type of veering from it into pragmatism was put in its proper perspective--utterly shallow and foolish. How one thinks about God and His activity determines how one carrys out ministry. Therefore, the emphasis on biblical doctrine and expository preaching was very relevant and will have a greater impact for God's purposes than had the conference emphasized trendy methods for ministry.
God and His Word were clearly exalted and the messages were generally well-received. There were some ripples felt as man was humbled in light of God's Word. However, questions concerning God's sovereignty and human responsibility were clearly and cogently addressed during the question/answer sessions.
In addition to the weighty Bible teaching, the conferees were also edified by the warm fellowship of one another. It was a great time to make new friends and deepen existing friendships. There will likely be a great increase in believers working together in Italy as a result of this conference. The theme of the conference was "Unita nella Verita" which means Unity in the Truth. Please continue to pray that the workers in Italy will continue to cultivate unity in the truth for years to come. Imagine the lasting fruit that can result!
John MacArthur's books "The Charismatics" and "Reckless Faith" were given to conferees as well as a couple of small Bible study books by Mariano DiGangi. Aurora Misson is currently working on the translation of another MacArthur book, "Strength for Today," which is a daily devotional book. Cassette tapes and possibly video tapes of the conference will be distributed as soon as possible.
We were thrilled to learn that the hired sound technician was converted to faith in Christ as a result of hearing the messages. Even though the messages were directed to Christian workers, the gospel was plainly explained and another Italian has entered the Kingdom!
Please continue to pray that this conference will be just the beginning of a movement to biblical ministry and fellowship in Italy. The board of Aurora Mission is considering the possibility of future conferences and has announced the purchase of property in Sicily to begin a Bible institute.
Please pray also for Aurora Mission. Aurora Mission paid for all the expenses of this conference, including lodging, meals, books, and the tapes which will distributed. Please pray that as they consider the possibility of holding future conferences and related projects in Italy, the financial needs will be met. There will likely be a greater need for donors to help sponsor such projects and plans are being made to address that need.
Again, thanks for your faithful prayers. May God bless you and your work of faith (2 Thess. 1:11-12).
Dear friend of Bible Alliance Mission,
We have some new and exciting news to tell you. We are happy to announce our new name–Aurora Mission. Aurora Ministries has a new logo and has dropped the name Bible Alliance for the cassette ministry in favor of simply calling it Aurora Ministries. In conjunction with these changes, it was decided to change the name of the mission as well. However, our passion for spreading the gospel in Italy is the same–no, actually it is stronger than ever! The next two initiatives are great examples of this.
FOCUS 2000 CONFERENCE
First, Aurora Mission is planning to host a four-day conference for pastors and missionaries ministering in Italy. We have held similar conferences each year for our missionaries in Italy, but this conference reflects a bold step of faith as we are inviting over 600 Christian workers and their wives to attend. Aurora plans to absorb almost all of the expenses (including lodging and meals), charging only a small registration fee.
Speaking on the theme of "Rediscovering the Way of Truth to Walk in Faithfulness" will be Dr. John MacArthur and Dr. Mariano DiGangi. John MacArthur is a popular author, pastor of Grace Community Church near Los Angeles, California, president of The Master's College and Seminary, and speaker on the radio program "Grace to You." Mariano DiGangi is a veteran pastor, seminary professor, and long-time friend of Aurora, having ministered in Sicily alongside Mr. Rossi (founder of Aurora) many years ago.
Responses to the invitations so far have been very positive. Our goal is to provide biblical teaching, spiritual enrichment, and fellowship opportunities. Please pray with us for this strategic conference which will take place, Lord willing, in September of 2000 in Giulianova (central Italy along the Adriatic coast).
ITALIAN BOOKS PROJECT
To coincide with the conference we are working on publishing in Italian Reckless Faith: When the Church Loses Its Will to Discern by John MacArthur. Copies of the book will be given free to those who attend the conference. We are praying for the conference and the book to be a catalyst to true biblical reformation and ministry in Italy. Our desire is to have future conferences and books published in Italian to help equip and edify the Lord's servants in Italy.
We plan to keep you informed of these developments with future newsletters. You may also find updates on our web site (address below). If you desire to join us in the publishing of sound doctrinal books in Italian, you may make a financial contribution payable to Aurora Mission and mark it "book project." As you know, this project is expensive. But we believe that the Lord has put this vision for Italy on our hearts and we joyously enter into this project believing that He will make provision; that, in spite of opposition, competing ideologies, and even cold indifference, the truth of the gospel will ring throughout the land of Italy! All praise and glory be to our Lord Jesus Christ, who so selflessly and mercifully gave Himself up for us!
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