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.
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
