{"id":712,"date":"2021-02-26T23:24:56","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T23:24:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/?page_id=712"},"modified":"2021-03-09T16:51:28","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T16:51:28","slug":"church-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/en\/church-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Church History"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Church History<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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La A changed life<\/h2>\n

\"\"I was born in Siracusa thirty-seven years ago<\/h3>\n

I am currently living with my wonderful family in the same city; now in my family there are my wife Marisa and our three children: Antonio, Eunice, and Joseph Amos. Everybody has got a story, everybody remembers the time of childhood and the experiences lived out along the years; memories which have more or less left a sign in us, shaping our personality in many different ways.<\/p>\n

The memory of my childhood is the least happy one in my life, because it recalls a time of strong tension in our family, determined by frequent squabbles between my parents.<\/p>\n

I was ten years old when the relationship between my father and mother broke down irremediably and I saw the most precious gift a child possess collapse: his family. In that situation everything seemed to fall apart; the walls of my house seemed to break down and the roof to fall down, so I heard a voice shouting inside myself: flee far away. Why endure? But where could a child go? In the following years I developed an aggressive disposition showing an almost unapproachable personality. I built a hard wall around me; a thick a nd protective wall, and that made me proud to be tough. When i was thirteen my father signed me up to a boxing gymnasium.<\/p>\n

Practising that sport helped me let my anger out and made me acquire more self-confidence. I had always been quite strong physically but I became even stronger, training myself up with perseverance and determination. I wanted to become a champion in that discipline. I was successful at my first boxing matches and along the years my competitions imposed themselves to the attention both of my home boxing organisation and the local media. I had the reputation of being extremely strong on the ring and this, of course, had its advantages. I was feared and treated with respect by everybody. I used to have an intense social life mainly happening at night among crowded clubs and private parties.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>

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In just one night I could up to three clubs for free because the \"bouncers\" knew me and were glad to let me in. I owned a motorbike which i used to ride at high speed like a fool, not caring about danger at all. I was successful with girls too. My friends envied me and they told me about it openly. However all these things didn't make me happy. One day someone forgot a copy of the Bible at my father's workplace. He became interested in that \"book\" which nobody was claiming back. <\/p>\n

He opened it and began to go through it. His interest for the things he was learning from the reading of the Bible was more and more growing, so that he couln't stop poring over the Scriptures not even at night, compelled to get to know the truth by a deep need. <\/p>\n

The desire to learn the meaning of the Word in depth and his search for the truth brought my father to go to Priolo Gargallo (SR), to an address given out by a Christian radio station. My father found a small evangelical church at that address, which he started to attend regularly. <\/p>\n

This occurrence changed everything. In a short time my father, my mother, my brother and my sister were converted to the truth. <\/p>\n

My parents made it up with one another and my home was rebuilt, this time on an unshakable foundation; on the rock which is Jesus Christ, our Lord. Alleluiah. Of course my family started to pray for me and to testify the love of a great God to me, a God who didn't hesitate to sacrify His only Son, so that I could receive the true life. Constantly and lovingly my mother invited me to get to know the only Presence which could fill my heart , changing its desires. At that time I could not understand neither what the presence of God was nor what having joy in my heart meant. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile my parents attended the meetings at church and every Sunday they invited me to join them, but I kept turning that invitation down to continue my run towards an empty, meaningless lifestyle. <\/p>\n

However, soon the evidence of four changed lives which mirrored the wonderful grace of God became a strong callingfor my vane way of life, shouting all its ugliness to me. I lived in an utterly selfish way and for totally useless things without joy. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile the thought of that Presence which can change our heart was growing more and more pressing in my mind.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>

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\"However, the evidence of four changed lives, reflecting the wonderful grace of God, soon became a strong reminder of my vain way of life, showing all its ugliness. I was living in a totally selfish way and for totally useless things, without any joy. And meanwhile the thought of that Presence, which alone can change hearts, became more and more insistent in my mind.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u2013 Pastor Salavatore Amato<\/h6><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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THE CALLING<\/h2>\n

Back in 1992 I was training in the national boxing at the Sports Centre in Rome.<\/h3>\n

On a Summer day I went to take a nap shortly after lunch, because I had trained for the whole morning and I would continue my training in the afternoon. I fell into a deep sleep and then God showed Himself with a dream: I was back in my hometown. I opened the door of my house and found many black children there. While I was trying to figure out what those children were doing in my house, I took notice of my mother in the kitchen cleaning up one of them. I went into my bedroom and I realised that there was a child sleeping in my bed too. I approached him and caressed him. Then the child turned to me and asked who I was. Actually it was me who wanted to learn from him what he was doing in my bed, but I kept caressing him and answered: \"I am a friend\". No sooner did I say those words than I felt a fire burning within me and, at that same time, I was overwhelmed with shivers. I woke up and felt that that burning Presence was still over me. In that precise moment I remembered my mother's words and I realised God was visiting me. Yes, that must have been right the Presence of God. I could not pray but I asked the Lord to become able to get to know Him.<\/p>\n

Soon after I called home and told my mother about my dream, who started to exult and give praise to God on the other side of the phone. After just two days I packed my bags and went back home to Sicily with the burning desire to know the Lord and dwell in His wonderful presence. In the following time I made up my mind about dropping out of boxing; since the Lord invited me to love my neighbour, I couldn't keep punching him.<\/p>\n

While I was answering the Lord's calling and I was learning new ways to be in a relationship with Him, I saw that God meant to to do a full job with me. So I surrendered completely and I felt an overwhelming desire to win souls arising in my heart. I didn't know yet what the purpose of my calling was, but the seed had been sown and I began to look at the othersas people for whom Christ had died. One day a car drew up at my workplace and some peoplke got out of it to ask for directions. They were Singhalese people. In spite of the linguistic difficulties we understood we were brothers in Christ; when I said goodbye to them, one of them, a pastor, left me some leaflets in the Singhalese language so as to give them out among his compatriots whenever O had the chance to do it. I was faithful to my task, always giving the precious leaflet to every Singhalese person turning up at my workplace. One day I was more proactive and I invited some Singhalese people at church on a Sunday morning.<\/p>\n

Seven people turned up at the meeting and on that very evening all of them confessed Jesus Christ as their personal saviour. In December 1999 I was invited to join the first meeting of a small group of Singhalese people just become Christians. I went to the building in which the meeting was being held and I joined them at their prayer time. On that evening the brother who had led the meeting informed the group that he would leave to go to Sri Lanka only in a few days. By instinct, addressing the people there, I said: \"He is leaving but next Friday I will be here to pray with all of you!\". So I began to go into a reality and a culture I did not know anything about. Week by week I met up with the Singhalese group and though I didn't speak the same language I managed to lead the meeting miraculously and we all felt blessed by God's presence. At that time I saw for myself that the best way to follow Christ is just beginning to do it. When doubt holds you back and the hurdles seem to be insurmountable choosing to serve Him no matter what makes you able to work.<\/p>\n

One evening, during a prayer meeting, suddenly this thought came to my mind: \"Lord, are you planning to send me to Sri Lanka? 'Cause I dont't want to go!\".<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>

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Then the Holy Spirit opened my mind making it clear the vision which, till that time, had been like a dream faintly recollected.<\/p>\n

A time of intense spiritual preparation followed in which I experienced a time of special communion with the Lord and the Holy Spirit trained me to work in the missionary field. I spent much more time with the Singhalese group, learning their culture, their traditions and I practised their language. For a long time I fasted to receive the equipment I needed in order to be able to face a reality I didn\u2019t know personally.<\/p>\n

On May the 4th, 2005, my wife, my wife Marisa, our first two children and I landed at the airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka. That was my first missionary trip in that unknown country. We hadn\u2019t got out of the plane yet that we were assailed by so strong a heat wave that my wife almost said, joking: \u201cSalvo, let\u2019s go back home!\u201d. I stayed awake to pray all night, begging God to show me how I had to move in that foreign land. On the following day, Oschan, a brother and a fellow in my work, fetched us from the Hotel where we had stayed overnight to take us to Nikambu, where we would stay for nearly a month in a house belonging to Oschan\u2019s family. In all that time God used us to encourage and support the local churches and to preach the Gospel in the most secluded and unreachable villages.<\/p>\n

Every day Oschan and I went along hundrends of kilometres with makeshift means and we made an opening where streets were lacking and a thick vegetation was before us, walking for hours. The power of the Gospel won, set free and healed many souls for God.<\/p>\n

Many buddhists made a step of faith towards Christ and many other Singhalese people confessed Jesus as their Saviour. Alleluiah. It was touching to see how all of them were taken aback when they heared me speak their language and were struck by the interest I was showing for their lives. God also showed His faithfullness protecting my family for all the time of our stay in Sri Lanka. He took care of us fulfilling our smallest need. I remember that on a particular hot day we reached a small town after a long journey (nine hours to cover 300 kilometres), where I would preach that evening on invitation by the local pastor. My wike asked me to book an air-conditioned hotel room because our children could not stand the local temperatures. The old air-conditioner, embedded into the wall of the hotel room, was extremely noisy; actually it gave out more noise than fresh air, but we were so worn out that we fell asleep anyway. Suddenly I woke up completely covered in sweat, since in the meanwhile the air-conditioner had got stuck and was no longer working. I said a simple prayer not for myself but for my wife and children who were not used to those hot temperatures. I slept again and dreamt about a man who was in my hotel room and he said: \"You see Salvo, this air-conditioner is just like mine.\", and while he was pointing with his finger at a small opening, he continued: \"Open it and press the button inside, you'll see it will start working again.\". At that time I opened my eyes, I approached the air-conditioner and, to my great surprise, I noticed a small groove where a finger could barely get in. I managed to reach the small opening and I pressed the button. Then the air-conditioner started to work again (after an abrupt booooo). Alleluiah. I went back to Sri Lanka in 2007 and at the end of 2008.<\/p>\n

To see the severe poverty and the hard situations which those people have to face daily has taught me much more things than years at school. It was impressive to discover how the Church there, despite its needy condition and the severe scarcity, has realised the true richness and lives in the freedom and the power of the Spirit, full of love for its neighbour. It is really true that all that we do for other people's happyness will come back to us in blessing. If we allow Christ to take hold of our lives we will join the Power which is above everything, that divine Power which has no equals. We will have the strenght coming from Above and we will be able to live the new life: the life of faith.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>

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Back in Italy, a new prayer was added to the ones I am used to making daily: \"Father, serve me to the ends of the earth, that I may obey the commandment to proclaim Jesus among the least of this world\".<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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The Local Church<\/h2>\n

As narrated above, the history of the Singhalese church in Syracuse, in fact, began when, in 1992, through a dream, a young Italian received a call to serve that people.<\/h3>\n

The Community has never been large, but at the same time it has seen many conversions.<\/p>\n

This is because its members often remain in Syracuse only for a time, so there is a continuous turnover. I like to think of it as a recruit training center, prepared to serve elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Over the years, there have been many brothers who, after a period of stay in Syracuse, have returned to Sri Lanka or have moved to other cities in Italy or abroad, bringing with them the witness of a faith experience matured within our church.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

My dear brother Oshan, my fellow worker, is currently in Malta with his family, and, in that reality, God has called him to serve among his fellow countrymen; a church attended by Sinhalese people has already sprung up, to whom the Truth has been witnessed.<\/p>\n

Likewise, Brother Malic today serves as a pastor in a church in Manchester, where he moved with his family a few years ago.<\/p>\n

Also, it is interesting to consider how the Sinhalese brothers, who attend the church, serve as a tool to \"hook\" the remaining families in Sri Lanka, who have not yet been converted.<\/p>\n

In my missionary travels, I was able to personally bring the message of salvation into their homes and the Lord did not fail to manifest His glory.<\/p>\n

My initial call was to the Sinhalese people but, over time, that call has taken on broader contours, reaching out to a more encompassing vision.<\/p>\n

The Holy Spirit stirred in my heart a vision for the nations, whose salvation would come through the Sinhalese people.<\/p>\n

All of this sounds unbelievable, but it is what happened starting in December 2015, when I began working at a number of migrant shelters. In particular, already at that time, I was applied on three different facilities in Syracuse, where men, minors and single women are hosted separately.<\/p>\n

This created the conditions for me to come into contact with other ethnic groups, and in particular with people from Africa. I announced salvation in Jesus Christ to them and several converted and were baptized.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>

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Of course, the church is also attended by Italian people and it is wonderful to see how God makes the nations one people, worshipping His name with different languages but in one Spirit.<\/p>\n

As the years went by, specifically in 2015, after changing multiple worship rooms, all of which were conducted under lease, we began to pray for the construction of a church.<\/p>\n

Right from the start, I became active in the relevant municipal offices, to get information on municipal areas available for the construction of worship buildings. After inspecting the various sites, my interest was captured by a plot of land, located in an optimal position to accommodate the church.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, it was one of the most desirable areas of the city, towards which numerous entrepreneurs had already directed their keen attention.<\/p>\n

Our request to the Lord, so that He would introduce us into that \"territory\", was renewed in every prayer meeting, for all the months and years that followed.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, mayors have alternated and the local administration has changed several times, with the consequence that, at each new municipal settlement, I had to re-submit my requests and restart the expected bureaucratic procedure.<\/p>\n

After three years, at the beginning of 2018, when I was tired of the continuous bureaucratic impediments and of the scarce probability of success, also in consideration of the numerous interested subjects, able to exert authoritative pressure, my embittered spirit cried out to God, asking Him if it was in His will that we continued to pray for that land, because if it was not so, that prayer could be considered completely useless.<\/p>\n

At that moment, the Spirit of God spoke to my spirit clearly and loudly, \"You will take possession of it within five years!\"<\/p>\n

Shortly afterwards, the Councillor with whom I was in contact for the preliminary investigation of the case, who was part of the outgoing administration, imposed, before the new Council took office, a restriction on the use of that land, to avoid speculative purposes.<\/p>\n

Thus, a resolution was adopted, which allocated that area to the construction of houses of worship.<\/p>\n

This intervention was decisive so that, in the established time, the promise of God could be fulfilled. For my part, every week I continued to knock on the door of the office in charge, to get information about the status of the file, with the absolute certainty that we had already won our battle.<\/p>\n

On 8.07.2020, within five years (2015 - 2020), according to the Word given by the Lord, I signed the notarial deed for the concession, in favor of the Church \"Mount of Olives\", of the surface right on that area.<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>

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\n

Miraculously the Lord has introduced us to the promise and miraculously He Himself will provide for the construction of His Temple. To Almighty God be all the Glory!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u2013 Pastor Salavatore Amato<\/h6><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" fullwidth=\"on\" admin_label=\"Header\" _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" background_image=\"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/slide4.jpg\" parallax=\"on\"][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=\"Storia della Chiesa\" text_orientation=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" title_font=\"Didact Gothic|700|||||||\" title_font_size=\"60px\" title_line_height=\"1.3em\" content_font=\"||||||||\" content_font_size=\"16px\" content_line_height=\"2em\" subhead_font=\"Didact Gothic||||||||\" subhead_font_size=\"20px\" subhead_line_height=\"1.8em\" 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La Testemonianza<\/h2>\r\n

\"\"Mi chiamo Salvatore Amato e sono nato a Siracusa il 24 febbraio 1972.<\/h3>\r\n

Risiedo tuttora nella stessa citt\u00e0 con la mia splendida famiglia, oggi composta da mia moglie Marisa e dai nostri tre figli: Antonio, Eunice e Joseph Amos.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Tutti noi abbiamo una storia, tutti ricordiamo il periodo dell\u2019infanzia, le esperienze vissute nel corso degli anni, che ci hanno pi\u00f9 o meno segnato, strutturando diversamente la nostra personalit\u00e0.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Il ricordo della mia infanzia \u00e8 quello meno felice, perch\u00e9 rievocativo di un momento di grave tensione in famiglia, determinato dai frequenti dissapori fra i miei genitori.<\/p>\r\n

Avevo dieci anni quando il rapporto tra mio padre e mia madre si incrin\u00f2 irrimediabilmente e vidi crollare il bene pi\u00f9 prezioso che un bambino possieda: la famiglia.<\/p>\r\n

In quella situazione ogni cosa sembra sfasciarsi, i muri della tua casa sembrano sfondarsi ed il tetto crollare e, allora, senti una voce gridare dentro: Fuggi lontano. Perch\u00e9 sopportare? Ma dove pu\u00f2 scappare un bambino \u2026<\/p>\r\n

Negli anni a seguire sviluppai un carattere aggressivo, manifestando una personalit\u00e0 pressoch\u00e9 inaccessibile. Costruii intorno a me un muro di durezza, spesso e protettivo; mi rendeva fiero essere duro.<\/p>\r\n

All\u2019et\u00e0 di tredici anni, mio padre mi iscrisse in una palestra di pugilato.<\/strong> Praticare quello sport, mi aiut\u00f2 a sfogare la mia rabbia e mi fece acquisire una maggiore sicurezza in me stesso.<\/p>\r\n

Sono sempre stato piuttosto forte fisicamente ma lo divenni ancora di pi\u00f9, allenandomi con tenacia e determinazione. Volevo diventare un campione in quella disciplina sportiva.<\/p>\r\n

Disputai con successo i primi incontri di pugilato e negli anni le mie imprese agonistiche si imposero all\u2019attenzione sia dell\u2019organizzazione sportiva di appartenenza che dei media locali.<\/p>\r\n

Avevo la reputazione di essere estremamente forte sul ring e questo naturalmente aveva i suoi vantaggi. Ero temuto e trattato con rispetto da tutti.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Conducevo un\u2019intensa vita sociale, che si svolgeva per lo pi\u00f9 nelle ore notturne, tra locali affollati e feste private.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\"1_2\" _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" custom_padding=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding_tablet=\"0px||\" custom_padding_last_edited=\"off|desktop\" padding_tablet=\"0px||\" padding_last_edited=\"off|desktop\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" text_font=\"||||||||\" text_text_color=\"#333333\" text_font_size=\"15px\" text_line_height=\"2em\" header_font=\"||||||||\" header_3_font=\"Didact Gothic||||||||\" header_3_text_color=\"#000000\" header_3_line_height=\"1.5em\" module_alignment=\"center\" min_height=\"1068px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"50px||||false|false\" header_3_font_size_tablet=\"\" header_3_font_size_phone=\"20px\" header_3_font_size_last_edited=\"on|phone\" locked=\"off\" text_line_height__hover=\"1.7em\" 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header_5_text_shadow_style__hover_enabled=\"none\" header_5_text_shadow_color__hover=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.4)\" header_5_text_shadow_color__hover_enabled=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.4)\" header_6_font_size__hover=\"14px\" header_6_font_size__hover_enabled=\"14px\" header_6_letter_spacing__hover=\"0px\" header_6_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=\"0px\" header_6_line_height__hover=\"1em\" header_6_line_height__hover_enabled=\"1em\" header_6_text_shadow_style__hover=\"none\" header_6_text_shadow_style__hover_enabled=\"none\" header_6_text_shadow_color__hover=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.4)\" header_6_text_shadow_color__hover_enabled=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.4)\" background_layout__hover=\"light\" background_layout__hover_enabled=\"light\" header_2_font_size__hover=\"26px\" header_2_font_size__hover_enabled=\"26px\" header_2_letter_spacing__hover=\"0px\" header_2_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=\"0px\" header_2_line_height__hover=\"1em\" header_2_line_height__hover_enabled=\"1em\" header_2_text_shadow_style__hover=\"none\" header_2_text_shadow_style__hover_enabled=\"none\" header_2_text_shadow_color__hover=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.4)\" header_2_text_shadow_color__hover_enabled=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.4)\"] In una sola sera, potevo girare fino a tre discoteche e senza alcun costo, perch\u00e9 i \u201cbuttafuori\u201d mi conoscevano ed erano ben lieti di accogliermi.\r\n\r\n

Possedevo una moto di grossa cilindrata, che guidavo come un folle al massimo della velocit\u00e0, sprezzante del pericolo.
Anche con le ragazze avevo successo. I miei amici mi invidiavano e me lo dicevano apertamente.<\/p>\r\n

Tutto questo per\u00f2 non mi rendeva felice.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n

Un giorno qualcuno dimentic\u00f2 una Bibbia sul posto di lavoro di mio padre. Incuriosito da quel \u201clibro\u201d, che nessuno veniva a reclamare, lo apr\u00ec ed inizi\u00f2 a leggerlo.<\/strong> Il suo interesse, per le cose che apprendeva dalla lettura della Bibbia, crebbe sempre di pi\u00f9, tanto che non smetteva di investigare le Scritture nemmeno la notte, spinto da un profondo bisogno di conoscere la verit\u00e0.<\/p>\r\n

Il desiderio di approfondire il significato della Parola e la ricerca della verit\u00e0 indussero mio padre a recarsi a Priolo Gargallo, all\u2019indirizzo comunicato da un\u2019emittente cristiana.<\/p>\r\n

A quell\u2019indirizzo mio padre trov\u00f2 una chiesetta evangelica<\/strong>, che inizi\u00f2 a frequentare assiduamente.<\/p>\r\n

Questo cambi\u00f2 tutto.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

In breve tempo mio padre, mia madre, mio fratello e mia sorella si convertirono alla Verit\u00e0.<\/p>\r\n

I miei genitori si riconciliarono e la mia casa venne ricostruita, questa volta su fondamenta incrollabili, sulla Roccia, che \u00e8 Cristo Ges\u00f9 il Signore. Alleluiah!<\/p>\r\n

Naturalmente la mia famiglia inizi\u00f2 a pregare per me e a testimoniarmi l\u2019amore di un Dio grande, che non aveva esitato a sacrificare il Suo unico Figlio, perch\u00e9 io potessi ricevere la vera vita.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Costantemente mia madre mi invitava con amore a conoscere la sola Presenza, che poteva appagare il mio cuore, cambiandone i desideri.<\/p>\r\n

All\u2019epoca non potevo comprendere cosa fosse la presenza di Dio n\u00e9 cosa significasse avere gioia nel cuore.<\/p>\r\n

Intanto i miei frequentavano regolarmente le riunioni di culto e la domenica mi invitavano ad unirmi a loro; io, per\u00f2, declinavo puntualmente quell\u2019invito, per proseguire la mia corsa verso uno stile di vita vuoto ed insignificante.<\/strong><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" admin_label=\"cittazione\" _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" background_color=\"#ffffff\" use_background_color_gradient=\"on\" background_color_gradient_start=\"rgba(147,196,62,0.83)\" background_color_gradient_end=\"#579f43\" background_color_gradient_type=\"radial\" background_color_gradient_direction_radial=\"top left\" background_color_gradient_start_position=\"25%\" background_color_gradient_end_position=\"70%\" background_color_gradient_overlays_image=\"on\" background_image=\"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/church-01.jpg\" background_blend=\"multiply\" width=\"100%\" module_alignment=\"center\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"||||true|false\" animation_style=\"slide\" animation_direction=\"bottom\" animation_intensity_slide=\"2%\" box_shadow_style=\"preset1\" box_shadow_vertical=\"-10px\" box_shadow_blur=\"60px\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" background_enable_image=\"off\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"3.25\" custom_padding=\"|||\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" text_font=\"Didact Gothic||on||||||\" text_text_color=\"#000000\" text_font_size=\"30px\" text_line_height=\"1.6em\" header_font=\"||||||||\" header_5_font=\"||||||||\" header_6_font=\"Didact Gothic||||||||\" header_6_text_color=\"#000000\" header_6_font_size=\"20px\" header_6_line_height=\"2em\" background_layout=\"dark\" text_font_size_tablet=\"20px\" text_font_size_phone=\"\" text_font_size_last_edited=\"on|phone\" header_5_font_size__hover=\"16px\" header_5_font_size__hover_enabled=\"16px\" header_5_letter_spacing__hover=\"0px\" header_5_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=\"0px\" header_5_line_height__hover=\"1em\" header_5_line_height__hover_enabled=\"1em\" header_5_text_shadow_style__hover=\"none\" header_5_text_shadow_style__hover_enabled=\"none\" header_5_text_shadow_color__hover=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.4)\" header_5_text_shadow_color__hover_enabled=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.4)\"]

\r\n

\"Tuttavia, l\u2019evidenza di quattro vite cambiate, che riflettevano la meravigliosa grazia di Dio, ben presto divenne un forte richiamo al mio vano modo di vivere, mostrandone tutta la bruttezza. Stavo vivendo in maniera totalmente egoistica e per cose totalmente inutili, senza alcuna gioia. E intanto si faceva sempre pi\u00f9 insistente nella mia mente il pensiero di quella Presenza, che solo pu\u00f2 cambiare i cuori.\"<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n

\u2013 Pastore Salavatore Amato<\/h6>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" admin_label=\"la chiamata\" _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" background_image=\"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/sfondo2.png\" background_size=\"initial\" background_position=\"top_center\" custom_width_px__hover=\"1080px\" custom_width_px__hover_enabled=\"1080px\" custom_width_percent__hover=\"80%\" custom_width_percent__hover_enabled=\"80%\" gutter_width__hover=\"3\" gutter_width__hover_enabled=\"3\" parallax_1__hover=\"off\" parallax_1__hover_enabled=\"off\" parallax_2__hover=\"off\" parallax_2__hover_enabled=\"off\" parallax_3__hover=\"off\" parallax_3__hover_enabled=\"off\" parallax_method_1__hover=\"on\" parallax_method_1__hover_enabled=\"on\" parallax_method_2__hover=\"on\" parallax_method_2__hover_enabled=\"on\" parallax_method_3__hover=\"on\" parallax_method_3__hover_enabled=\"on\" use_background_color_gradient__hover=\"off\" 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La Chiamata<\/h2>\r\n

Nel 1992 mi allenavo nella Nazionale di pugilato, presso il Centro Sportivo di Roma.<\/h3>\r\n

Un giorno d\u2019estate, subito dopo pranzo, andai a riposarmi, perch\u00e9 mi ero allenato per tutta la mattina ed avrei dovuto riprendere gli allenamenti nel pomeriggio.<\/p>\r\n

Caddi in un sonno profondo e fu allora che Dio si manifest\u00f2 attraverso un sogno<\/strong>: Ero tornato nella mia citt\u00e0. Aprivo la porta di casa e mi trovavo davanti a tanti bambini di colore. Mentre cercavo di capire cosa facessero quei bambini a casa mia, scorsi mia madre in cucina, intenta a pulirne uno. Proseguii verso la mia camera e mi accorsi che anche nel mio letto c\u2019era un bambino che dormiva. Mi avvicinai e lo accarezzai. Il bambino allora si gir\u00f2 verso di me e mi chiese chi fossi. Ero io, piuttosto, a voler sapere da lui cosa ci facesse nel mio letto, ma continuai ad accarezzarlo e risposi: \u201cSono un amico\u201d.<\/p>\r\n

Non appena pronunciai quelle parole, sentii un fuoco bruciare dentro di me<\/strong> ed allo stesso tempo pervadermi di brividi. Mi svegliai e quella presenza di fuoco era ancora sopra di me.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

In quel momento mi ricordai delle parole di mia madre e compresi che Dio mi stava visitando. S\u00ec, quella doveva essere proprio la presenza di Dio.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Non sapevo pregare ma chiesi al Signore di poterLo conoscere.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Subito dopo telefonai a casa e raccontai il sogno a mia madre, che, dall\u2019altro capo del telefono, esult\u00f2 dando gloria a Dio. Appena due giorni dopo feci le valigie e tornai a casa, in Sicilia, con l\u2019intenso desiderio di conoscere il Signore e dimorare nella Sua meravigliosa presenza.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Nel periodo che segu\u00ec, maturai la decisione di abbandonare il pugilato<\/strong>, perch\u00e9, se il Signore mi invitava ad amare il mio prossimo, non potevo continuare a prenderlo a pugni.<\/p>\r\n

Mentre rispondevo alla Sua chiamata ed imparavo nuovi modi di relazionarmi con Lui, capii che Dio voleva arrivare fino in fondo con me.<\/p>\r\n

Cos\u00ec mi arresi completamente e nel mio cuore sentii nascere un desiderio ardente per la conquista delle anime<\/strong>. Ancora non conoscevo quale fosse il fine della mia chiamata, ma il seme era stato impiantato ed io cominciavo a vedere gli altri come persone per cui Cristo \u00e8 morto.<\/p>\r\n

Un giorno, sul mio posto di lavoro, si ferm\u00f2 una macchina, da cui scesero alcune persone, per chiedere indicazioni stradali. Erano di nazionalit\u00e0 singalese.<\/strong> Nonostante le difficolt\u00e0 di lingua, capimmo di essere fratelli in Cristo; nel salutarmi, uno di loro, un pastore, mi lasci\u00f2 degli opuscoli in lingua singalese, perch\u00e9 li distribuissi, qualora ne avessi avuto l\u2019opportunit\u00e0, fra i suoi connazionali.<\/p>\r\n

Mantenni fede all\u2019impegno assunto, consegnando immancabilmente il prezioso volantino ad ogni singalese che passava per il mio posto di lavoro.
Un giorno mi spinsi oltre ed invitai alcuni singalesi alla riunione di culto della domenica.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

All\u2019appuntamento, si presentarono sette persone e tutte e sette, quella stessa sera, confessarono Cristo come personale Salvatore.<\/p>\r\n

Nel dicembre 1999, fui invitato a partecipare alla prima riunione di un piccolo gruppo di singalesi, appena affacciatisi alla fede in Cristo. <\/strong>Mi recai presso l\u2019abitazione in cui si svolgeva l\u2019incontro e mi unii alla preghiera dei presenti.<\/p>\r\n

Quella sera il fratello, che aveva condotto la riunione, inform\u00f2 il gruppo che a giorni sarebbe partito per lo Sri Lanka.<\/strong>
D\u2019istinto, rivolgendomi alle persone presenti, dissi: \u201cLui parte, ma io il prossimo venerd\u00ec sar\u00f2 qui, per pregare insieme a voi\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Cos\u00ec iniziai ad addentrarmi in una realt\u00e0 e cultura che non conoscevo. Di settimana in settimana incontravo il gruppo singalese e, nonostante non parlassi la stessa lingua, riuscivo miracolosamente a condurre le riunioni e tutti ci sentivamo benedetti dalla presenza di Dio.<\/p>\r\n

In quel periodo, ho sperimentato che il modo migliore per seguire Cristo \u00e8 cominciare a farlo.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Quando il dubbio trattiene e gli ostacoli appaiono insormontabili, scegliere di servirLo comunque, rende capaci di operare.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Una sera, durante una riunione di preghiera, d\u2019un tratto pensai \u201cSignore, non starai progettando di mandarmi in Sri Lanka, perch\u00e9 io non voglio andare\u201d. <\/strong>E fu allora che lo Spirito Santo mi apr\u00ec la mente, rendendomi chiara la visione che, fino a quel momento, era stata come un sogno vagamente ricordato.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Segu\u00ec un periodo di intensa preparazione spirituale, in cui sperimentai una comunione speciale con il Signore e lo Spirito Santo mi addestr\u00f2, per operare nel campo missionario. Trascorsi molto pi\u00f9 tempo con il gruppo singalese, approfondendone usi e costumi ed esercitando la lingua. Digiunai a lungo per ricevere l\u2019equipaggiamento di cui necessitavo, per affrontare una realt\u00e0 che non conoscevo direttamente.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Il 4 maggio 2005, io, Marisa e i nostri primi due figli, atterrammo all\u2019aeroporto di Colombo in Sri Lanka. Era il mio primo viaggio missionario in quella nazione sconosciuta.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Non eravamo ancora scesi dall\u2019aereo, che fummo investiti da un\u2019ondata di caldo cos\u00ec violenta, che mia moglie, scherzando, o quasi, disse: \u201cSalvo, torniamo indietro\u201d. Rimasi sveglio tutta la notte per pregare, implorando Dio di mostrarmi come dovessi muovermi in quella terra straniera.<\/p>\r\n

Il giorno dopo, Oschan, fratello e compagno d\u2019opera, ci prelev\u00f2 dall\u2019albergo in cui avevamo pernottato, per condurci a Nikambu, dove saremmo rimasti per quasi un mese, presso una casa della sua famiglia.<\/p>\r\n

Per tutto quel periodo, Dio si \u00e8 usato di noi, per incoraggiare e sostenere le chiese locali, per predicare il Vangelo nei villaggi pi\u00f9 sperduti ed irraggiungibili.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\"1_2\" _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" custom_padding=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding_tablet=\"0px||\" custom_padding_last_edited=\"off|desktop\" padding_tablet=\"0px||\" padding_last_edited=\"off|desktop\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" text_font=\"||||||||\" text_text_color=\"#333333\" text_font_size=\"15px\" text_line_height=\"2em\" header_font=\"||||||||\" header_3_font=\"Didact Gothic||||||||\" header_3_text_color=\"#000000\" header_3_line_height=\"1.5em\" module_alignment=\"center\" min_height=\"1068px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"50px||||false|false\" header_3_font_size_tablet=\"\" header_3_font_size_phone=\"20px\" header_3_font_size_last_edited=\"on|phone\" locked=\"off\" 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Ogni giorno io ed Oschan, con mezzi di fortuna, percorrevamo centinaia di chilometri, e, laddove mancavano le strade e davanti a noi si sbarrava una folta vegetazione, ci aprivamo un varco, camminando per ore.<\/p>\r\n

La potenza del Vangelo ha liberato, guarito e guadagnato tante anime a Dio. Diversi buddisti hanno fatto il passo di fede verso Cristo e tanti altri singalesi hanno confessato Ges\u00f9 come Salvatore. Alleluiah.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n

E\u2019 stato emozionante vedere come tutti stupivano nel sentirmi parlare la loro lingua ed erano colpiti dall\u2019interesse che mostravo per le loro vite.<\/p>\r\n

Dio ha mostrato la Sua fedelt\u00e0 anche proteggendo la mia famiglia, per tutto il periodo di soggiorno in Sri Lanka. Si \u00e8 preso cura di noi, rispondendo ai pi\u00f9 piccoli bisogni.<\/p>\r\n

Ricordo che in una giornata particolarmente afosa, dopo un lungo viaggio (nove ore per percorrere 300 Km), raggiungemmo il villaggio dove avrei predicato la sera, su invito del pastore del luogo.<\/p>\r\n

Mia moglie mi chiese di prenotare una camera d\u2019albergo climatizzata, perch\u00e9 i bambini erano insofferenti alle temperature locali.<\/p>\r\n

Il vecchio condizionatore incassato al muro della camera d\u2019Hotel era estremamente rumoroso; in effetti emetteva pi\u00f9 rumore che aria fresca, ma noi eravamo talmente stremati che ci addormentammo lo stesso.<\/p>\r\n

Ad un tratto mi svegliai tutto sudato, perch\u00e9 il climatizzatore, nel frattempo, si era bloccato e non funzionava pi\u00f9. Feci una semplice preghiera, non tanto per me ma per mia moglie e i miei figli, che non erano abituati a quel caldo.<\/p>\r\n

Mi riaddormentai e sognai un uomo nella mia camera d\u2019albergo, che mi diceva: \u201cVedi Salvo, questo climatizzatore \u00e8 uguale al mio\u201d e \u2013 mentre indicava con il dito uno sportellino \u2013 continu\u00f2: \u201cAprilo e premi il bottone all\u2019interno, vedrai che riparte\u201d.<\/p>\r\n

In quel momento aprii gli occhi, mi avvicinai al climatizzatore e, con mio grande stupore, notai una piccola incavatura, dove a stento entrava un dito.<\/p>\r\n

Riuscii a raggiungere lo sportellino ed a premere il pulsante. Il climatizzatore, allora, riprese a funzionare (dopo l\u2019iniziale brusco Booooooo). Alleluiah.
Sono tornato in Sri Lanka nel 2007 e alla fine del 2008 e, successivamente, nel 2009 e nel 2010.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Anche in quelle occasioni, vedere l\u2019estrema povert\u00e0 e le situazioni difficili, che quel popolo deve affrontare quotidianamente, mi ha insegnato molto pi\u00f9 che anni di scuola.<\/p>\r\n

E\u2019 stato impressionante scoprire come la Chiesa, nonostante le necessit\u00e0 e le gravi ristrettezze, abbia realizzato la vera ricchezza e viva nella libert\u00e0 e nella potenza dello Spirito, piena d\u2019amore per il prossimo.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Se permettiamo a Cristo di prendere possesso della nostra vita, ci uniremo alla potenza che \u00e8 al di sopra di ogni cosa, quella potenza divina che non ha eguali. Avremo la forza che viene dall\u2019alto e potremo sperimentare una vita di Fede!<\/p>\r\n

Il mio ultimo viaggio missionario in Sri Lanka \u00e8 avvenuto nel maggio 2019, subito dopo gli attentati terroristici del 21 aprile, che hanno colpito, oltre a diverse strutture alberghiere, anche tre chiese cristiane, nel giorno in cui si celebrava la Pasqua.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Gli attacchi terroristici avevano consegnato il Paese ad un clima di paura, ed io arrivavo quando i turisti stranieri avevano gi\u00e0 abbandonato Lo Sri Lanka, i negozi erano chiusi e le strade deserte.<\/p>\r\n

Ho potuto constatare personalmente la gravit\u00e0 della situazione, quando mi sono state mostrate le immagini delle violente esplosioni, che riproducevano scene di corpi scempiati, di terrore diffuso, di fughe in massa dalle citt\u00e0.<\/p>\r\n

Il feroce attacco islamico ai cristiani non \u00e8 assurto alle cronache dei media con dovizia di dati e nella sua effettiva portata.<\/p>\r\n

Dai telegiornali italiani non \u00e8 stata riportata tutta la verit\u00e0 sui fatti realmente accaduti in Sri Lanka n\u00e9 alcuna informazione \u00e8 stata data sulle fortissime tensioni nate in seno alla stessa popolazione civile.<\/p>\r\n

Gli attacchi di matrice islamica, purtroppo, hanno fomentato odio e generato violenti scontri e rappresaglie nei villaggi con la maggior densit\u00e0 di abitanti di fede musulmana, che, sol per questo, sono stati vittime della ferocia dei propri connazionali.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Nonostante il coprifuoco disposto dalle autorit\u00e0 locali, ho potuto raggiungere diverse localit\u00e0, incontrando le famiglie che avevano visto morire i loro cari, abbracciando i feriti e quanti soffrivano, perch\u00e9 confinati a letto o costretti su una sedia a rotelle.<\/p>\r\n

Ho pregato e pianto insieme a loro e Dio mi ha dato grazia di infondere nei loro cuori conforto e speranza, ma soprattutto la certezza della vicinanza e dell\u2019Amore di un Padre, che non li aveva abbandonati in quella terribile condizione.<\/p>\r\n

Ho predicato nelle chiese ed incoraggiato la fratellanza, anch\u2019essa gravemente colpita.<\/p>\r\n

Durante i culti, Dio ha manifestato potentemente la Sua presenza, guarendo, liberando e portando a salvezza tante anime, che stavano vivendo nel terrore e nella paura.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

E\u2019 meraviglioso testimoniare come il Signore abbia operato in quel momento di oscurit\u00e0 e ci abbia circondato della Sua protezione. E di ci\u00f2 abbiamo avuto piena consapevolezza quando, nel corso di un incontro, sono intervenute le forze militari, essendo stata segnalata la presenza di una vettura \u201csospetta\u201d, parcheggiata sul retro dei locali in cui eravamo riuniti. In effetti, si trattava di un\u2019autobomba pronta ad esplodere da l\u00ec a poco.<\/p>\r\n

E\u2019 proprio vero che tutto quello che facciamo per amore degli altri, produce benedizione e pienezza di vita. In quella circostanza, la protezione di Dio ha testimoniato senz\u2019altro questo: dove c\u2019\u00e8 amore c\u2019\u00e8 vita!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" admin_label=\"cittazione\" _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" background_color=\"#ffffff\" use_background_color_gradient=\"on\" background_color_gradient_start=\"rgba(147,196,62,0.83)\" background_color_gradient_end=\"#579f43\" background_color_gradient_type=\"radial\" background_color_gradient_direction_radial=\"top left\" background_color_gradient_start_position=\"25%\" background_color_gradient_end_position=\"70%\" background_color_gradient_overlays_image=\"on\" background_image=\"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/church-01.jpg\" background_blend=\"multiply\" width=\"100%\" module_alignment=\"center\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"||||true|false\" animation_style=\"slide\" animation_direction=\"bottom\" animation_intensity_slide=\"2%\" box_shadow_style=\"preset1\" box_shadow_vertical=\"-10px\" box_shadow_blur=\"60px\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" background_enable_image=\"off\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"3.25\" custom_padding=\"|||\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" text_font=\"Didact Gothic||on||||||\" text_text_color=\"#000000\" text_font_size=\"30px\" text_line_height=\"1.6em\" header_font=\"||||||||\" header_5_font=\"||||||||\" header_6_font=\"Didact Gothic||||||||\" header_6_text_color=\"#000000\" header_6_font_size=\"20px\" header_6_line_height=\"2em\" background_layout=\"dark\" text_font_size_tablet=\"20px\" text_font_size_phone=\"\" text_font_size_last_edited=\"on|phone\" header_5_font_size__hover=\"16px\" header_5_font_size__hover_enabled=\"16px\" header_5_letter_spacing__hover=\"0px\" header_5_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=\"0px\" header_5_line_height__hover=\"1em\" header_5_line_height__hover_enabled=\"1em\" header_5_text_shadow_style__hover=\"none\" header_5_text_shadow_style__hover_enabled=\"none\" header_5_text_shadow_color__hover=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.4)\" header_5_text_shadow_color__hover_enabled=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.4)\"]

Di ritorno in Italia, una nuova preghiera si \u00e8 aggiunta a quelle che sono solito fare quotidianamente: \u201cPadre, serviti di me fino alle estremit\u00e0 della terra, perch\u00e9 io possa ubbidire al comandamento di annunciare Ges\u00f9 tra gli ultimi di questo mondo\u201d.<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n

\u2013 Pastore Salavatore Amato<\/h6>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" admin_label=\"la chiesa locale\" _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" background_image=\"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/sfondo2.png\" background_size=\"initial\" background_position=\"top_center\" custom_width_px__hover=\"1080px\" custom_width_px__hover_enabled=\"1080px\" custom_width_percent__hover=\"80%\" custom_width_percent__hover_enabled=\"80%\" gutter_width__hover=\"3\" gutter_width__hover_enabled=\"3\" parallax_1__hover=\"off\" parallax_1__hover_enabled=\"off\" parallax_2__hover=\"off\" parallax_2__hover_enabled=\"off\" parallax_3__hover=\"off\" parallax_3__hover_enabled=\"off\" parallax_method_1__hover=\"on\" parallax_method_1__hover_enabled=\"on\" parallax_method_2__hover=\"on\" parallax_method_2__hover_enabled=\"on\" parallax_method_3__hover=\"on\" parallax_method_3__hover_enabled=\"on\" use_background_color_gradient__hover=\"off\" 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La Chiesa locale<\/h2>\r\n

Come sopra narrato, la storia della chiesa singalese di Siracusa, nei fatti, ha avuto inizio quando, nel 1992, attraverso un sogno, un giovane italiano ha ricevuto la chiamata a servire quel popolo.<\/h3>\r\n

La Comunit\u00e0 non \u00e8 stata mai numerosa ma al tempo stesso ha visto parecchie conversioni.<\/p>\r\n

Questo perch\u00e9 i suoi membri spesso rimangono a Siracusa solo per un tempo, per cui c\u2019\u00e8 un continuo ricambio. A me piace ritenerla un centro di addestramento reclute, preparate per prestare servizio altrove.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Nel corso degli anni, sono stati numerosi i fratelli che, dopo un periodo di permanenza a Siracusa, hanno fatto rientro in Sri Lanka o si sono spostati in altre citt\u00e0 d\u2019Italia o all\u2019estero, portando con s\u00e9 la testimonianza di un\u2019esperienza di fede maturata<\/strong> nell\u2019ambito della nostra chiesa.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"Il caro fratello Oshan, mio compagno d\u2019opera, al momento si trova a Malta con la sua famiglia<\/strong>, e, in quella realt\u00e0, Dio l\u2019ha chiamato a servire tra i suoi connazionali; \u00e8 gi\u00e0 sorta una chiesa frequentata da persone singalesi<\/strong>, cui \u00e8 stata testimoniata la Verit\u00e0.<\/p>\r\n

Parimenti, il fratello Malic oggi serve come pastore in una chiesa a Manchester<\/strong>, dove si \u00e8 trasferito da qualche anno con la famiglia.<\/p>\r\n

Inoltre, \u00e8 interessante considerare come i fratelli singalesi, che frequentano la chiesa, fungano da strumento per \u201cagganciare\u201d le famiglie rimaste in Sri Lanka, non ancora convertite.<\/p>\r\n

Nei miei viaggi missionari, ho potuto portare personalmente il messaggio di salvezza nelle loro case ed il Signore non ha mancato di manifestare la Sua gloria.<\/p>\r\n

La mia chiamata iniziale \u00e8 stata per il popolo singalese ma, nel tempo, quella chiamata ha assunto contorni pi\u00f9 ampi, protendendosi verso una visione pi\u00f9 inglobante.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Lo Spirito Santo ha suscitato nel mio cuore una visione per le nazioni, la cui salvezza sarebbe arrivata attraverso il popolo singalese.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Tutto ci\u00f2 ha dell\u2019incredibile ma \u00e8 quello che \u00e8 successo a partire dal dicembre 2015, quando ho iniziato a lavorare presso alcuni centri di accoglienza per migranti<\/strong>. In particolare, gi\u00e0 all\u2019epoca, sono stato applicato su tre diverse strutture a Siracusa, dove vengono ospitati separatamente uomini, minori e donne sole.<\/p>\r\n

Si sono cos\u00ec create le condizioni perch\u00e9 potessi entrare in contatto con altre etnie, e in particolare con persone africane. Ho annunciato loro la salvezza in Ges\u00f9 Cristo e diversi si sono convertiti e battezzati.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\"1_2\" _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" custom_padding=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding_tablet=\"0px||\" custom_padding_last_edited=\"off|desktop\" padding_tablet=\"0px||\" padding_last_edited=\"off|desktop\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" text_font=\"||||||||\" text_text_color=\"#333333\" text_font_size=\"15px\" text_line_height=\"2em\" header_font=\"||||||||\" header_3_font=\"Didact Gothic||||||||\" header_3_text_color=\"#000000\" header_3_line_height=\"1.5em\" module_alignment=\"center\" min_height=\"1068px\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"50px||||false|false\" header_3_font_size_tablet=\"\" header_3_font_size_phone=\"20px\" header_3_font_size_last_edited=\"on|phone\" locked=\"off\" text_line_height__hover=\"1.7em\" text_line_height__hover_enabled=\"1.7em\" 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Naturalmente, la chiesa \u00e8 frequentata anche da persone italiane ed \u00e8 meraviglioso vedere come Dio faccia delle nazioni un solo popolo, che adora il Suo nome con lingue diverse ma in un unico Spirito.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Con il passare degli anni, e precisamente nel 2015, dopo avere cambiato pi\u00f9 locali di culto, tutti condotti in locazione, abbiamo iniziato a pregare per la costruzione di una chiesa.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Fin da subito, mi sono attivato presso gli uffici comunali competenti, per avere informazioni su aree comunali disponibili per la realizzazione di edifici di culto. Dopo aver ispezionato i vari siti, il mio interesse \u00e8 stato catturato da un lotto di terreno, collocato in una posizione ottimale per ospitare la chiesa.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Purtroppo, si trattava di una delle zone pi\u00f9 appetibili della citt\u00e0, verso cui numerosi imprenditori avevano gi\u00e0 diretto la loro viva attenzione.<\/p>\r\n

La nostra richiesta al Signore, perch\u00e9 ci introducesse in quel \u201cterritorio\u201d, \u00e8 stata rinnovata in ogni riunione di preghiera, per tutti i mesi e gli anni a seguire.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Nel frattempo, si sono avvicendati i sindaci ed \u00e8 cambiata pi\u00f9 volte l\u2019amministrazione locale, con la conseguenza che, ad ogni nuovo insediamento comunale, ho dovuto riproporre le mie istanze e riavviare la prevista procedura burocratica.<\/p>\r\n

Dopo tre anni, all\u2019inizio del 2018, quando oramai stanco dei continui impedimenti burocratici e delle scarse probabilit\u00e0 di successo, anche in considerazione dei numerosi soggetti interessati, in grado di esercitare pressioni autorevoli, il mio spirito amareggiato ha gridato a Dio,<\/strong> chiedendoGli se fosse nella Sua volont\u00e0 che continuassimo a pregare per quel terreno, perch\u00e9 se cos\u00ec non era, quella preghiera poteva ritenersi del tutto inutile.<\/p>\r\n

In quel momento, lo Spirito di Dio ha parlato al mio spirito in modo chiaro e forte: \u201cNe entrerai in possesso entro cinque anni!\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Da l\u00ec a poco, l\u2019Assessore con cui mi ero relazionato per l\u2019istruttoria della pratica, facente parte dell\u2019amministrazione uscente, ha imposto, prima dell\u2019insediamento della nuova Giunta, un vincolo di destinazione su quel terreno, per evitare finalit\u00e0 speculative.<\/p>\r\n

E\u2019 stata cos\u00ec adottata una delibera, che ha destinato quell\u2019area alla realizzazione di edifici di culto.<\/p>\r\n

Questo intervento \u00e8 stato determinante affinch\u00e8, nel tempo stabilito, si potesse adempiere la promessa di Dio. Dal canto mio, ogni settimana ho continuato a bussare alla porta dell\u2019Ufficio preposto, per avere ragguagli in merito allo stato della pratica, con la certezza assoluta che avevamo gi\u00e0 vinto la nostra battaglia.<\/p>\r\n

In data 8.07.2020, entro cinque anni (2015 - 2020), secondo la Parola data dal Signore, ho firmato il rogito notarile per la concessione, in favore della Chiesa \u201cMonte degli Ulivi\u201d, del diritto di superficie su quell\u2019area.<\/strong><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" _module_preset=\"default\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" _module_preset=\"default\"][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=\"394,398,399,400,401,402,403,404,405\" show_title_and_caption=\"off\" _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" _module_preset=\"default\"][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" admin_label=\"cittazione\" _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" background_color=\"#ffffff\" use_background_color_gradient=\"on\" background_color_gradient_start=\"rgba(147,196,62,0.83)\" background_color_gradient_end=\"#579f43\" background_color_gradient_type=\"radial\" background_color_gradient_direction_radial=\"top left\" background_color_gradient_start_position=\"25%\" background_color_gradient_end_position=\"70%\" background_color_gradient_overlays_image=\"on\" background_image=\"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/church-01.jpg\" background_blend=\"multiply\" width=\"100%\" module_alignment=\"center\" custom_margin=\"||||false|false\" custom_padding=\"||||true|false\" animation_style=\"slide\" animation_direction=\"bottom\" animation_intensity_slide=\"2%\" box_shadow_style=\"preset1\" box_shadow_vertical=\"-10px\" box_shadow_blur=\"60px\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" background_enable_image=\"off\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"3.25\" custom_padding=\"|||\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.5.1\" text_font=\"Didact Gothic||on||||||\" text_text_color=\"#000000\" text_font_size=\"30px\" text_line_height=\"1.6em\" header_font=\"||||||||\" header_5_font=\"||||||||\" header_6_font=\"Didact Gothic||||||||\" header_6_text_color=\"#000000\" header_6_font_size=\"20px\" header_6_line_height=\"2em\" background_layout=\"dark\" text_font_size_tablet=\"20px\" text_font_size_phone=\"\" text_font_size_last_edited=\"on|phone\" header_5_font_size__hover=\"16px\" header_5_font_size__hover_enabled=\"16px\" header_5_letter_spacing__hover=\"0px\" header_5_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=\"0px\" header_5_line_height__hover=\"1em\" header_5_line_height__hover_enabled=\"1em\" header_5_text_shadow_style__hover=\"none\" header_5_text_shadow_style__hover_enabled=\"none\" header_5_text_shadow_color__hover=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.4)\" header_5_text_shadow_color__hover_enabled=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.4)\"]

Miracolosamente il Signore ci ha introdotto nella promessa e miracolosamente Egli Stesso provveder\u00e0 alla costruzione del Suo Tempio. All\u2019Iddio Onnipotente sia tutta la Gloria!<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n

\u2013 Pastore Salavatore Amato<\/h6>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-712","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/712","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=712"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/712\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":798,"href":"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/712\/revisions\/798"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chiesamontedegliulivi.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=712"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}