Monday, December 5, 2016

2016 Week of Prayer for International Missions

The beauty of Verona belies the spiritually bankrupt condition of the northern Italian city. One young couple is making inroads in developing relationships that lead to life-changing conversations.

The Copland Family Story
Nick and Shannan Copland use modern tools to meet people and forge relationships in the ancient Italian city of Verona.
Through websites they’ve established, Nick and Shannan, IMB workers, find common ground on social media for “meet-ups” with people who share interests—outdoor life and Italian cuisine being two. Relationships are natural keys in sharing spiritual truth, especially in a postmodern city like Verona—beautiful and wealthy but spiritually impoverished. Friendships formed during mountain hikes or evening meals often lead to sharing about Christ.
Their “meet-ups” have become popular, resulting in Nick and Shannan being tagged locally as the couple who bring people together.
Speaking English has also opened doors and led the Coplands to organize English camps for local students, using volunteers from the United States. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® allows the Coplands to bring the gospel of Christ to northeast Italy, where Southern Baptists have never worked before this couple planted their lives in Verona.

PRAYER POINTS
  •  PRAY for Nick and Shannan as they continue to build relationships and share their lives in this northern Italian city.
  • PRAY the Coplands would understand where best to focus their energy and efforts as they balance several ministry initiatives.


Scripture to Claim:
Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. Psalms 96:2-3

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