Connecting!

CONNECTING!

News/Stay in touch:

• To receive news from the Gilmores, click HERE

Contact: 

• Email: jaydeegilmore@gmail.com  |  Mob.: +393286518234
• Occasional blog: https://jdgilmore.blogspot.com

More information: 

• https://www.lifehope.it/homepage-eng
• Also check: Italian Ministries UK on Facebook

Video resources to help us raise the profile of the mission in Palermo:  

• Church-planting 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpMdkAkg_J4
• Church-planting 2: https://youtu.be/GX3LkouYnLs
• Church-planting Full:  https://youtu.be/jzbttUE8wHc

Giving:

• UFM Worldwide - https://www.ufm.org.uk/support/how-to-give/
• Stewardship - https://www.dropbox.com/s/l06jqqamu3ghiqg/2022%20%20Gilmore_support_form.pdf?dl=0
• Stewardship - https://www.dropbox.com/s/trzshlr5pkmm3dz/2022%20Gilmore_Direct%20Debit%20form.pdf?dl=0

And 2021 arrived.

Pandemic days are still with us. By now, we had hoped, we would be well past the virus. Instead, uncertainty accompanies us still. This is the new normal.

And yet, despite everything we sense a wonderful sense of calm and peace - something unexplainable. It's about enjoying the day, the moment... dwelling and valuing the simple things and sitting back to watch what God does, how certain that is, how certain He is.

Yesterday I sat down with a self-proclaimed Catholic who is engaging with God's Word with us. As we talked it became obvious, this is no Catholic in practice or belief. He listed the way in which he no longer embraced basic Catholic dogmas and practices. He shared of changes underway - how he looks at life increasingly differently now. But when asked the crucial question he was clear. "What must I do to be saved? It's grace. God saves!" Pray for people like this. That as time goes by God might continue sovereignly and wonderfully to bring us in contact with those in whom a God-given hunger for the Truth is present and who will only find rest in the wonder of the gospel.  

Joy to the World

So often our joy is dependent on our ability to produce something.
Christmas is about real joy having come.
What a wonderful life, just to bask in the wonder of the Good News, and to enjoy it.
Less and less am I worried about production (maybe because after many years I see how fragile much is....) and more and more seeking to be less distracted by plans, aspirations and 'production' and to enjoy every day with His joy.
Works in progress, but... enjoying it!

Swamped?

No.
Swamped is like: you're drowning. That's not the way it is. No way.
Were this a personal, private enterprise, well yes: drowning.
But what a comfort to know:
- activities in no way define us
- His work is what counts and lasts
- we can REST in who He is
- we can super-involve ourselves and fully enjoy it!
So, swamped? Yes! Bring it on!

Some of recent 'opportunities'
- Annette meeting to open the Bible with a neighbour
- JD trawling around schools and other places to set up opportunities for the upcoming Thanksgiving outreach
- multiple pastoral conversations online
- multiple organisational committee meetings online (relating to Italy and beyond! - super exciting...)
- local pastoral input: conversations, visits, Bible teaching...

Pray for several urgent needs:
- additional help (long-term missionary couple, strong Christians to join our small church-plant, Italian interns?....)
- more significant contacts with 'lost' people. Its great to have a growing sense of family as a small, growing church, but we are praying for inroads into the vast 'lost community' of Palermo.
- breakthroughs; pray God's Spirit might convict people of sin and graciously draw them to salvation!

Grazie!

9 September 2017

We are very grateful for Relazione 2017 a great Impatto Family Retreat. Here you can see a 75 second summary video!

We then had a lovely family time with Alex and Abi who visited us for a few days.

Will you please pray earnestly over the coming days:
- pray for a wedding in Sicily on Sunday, 10 September
- pray especially as we continue to search for a flat in Palermo and view several flats in Palermo on Monday

Events to pray for:
- 21-23 September: pray for M17 in Macedonia (an IM follow-up event to M16) with over 120 participants. I will be joining Scott Anderson (DG) and Dr. Tim Savage in speaking at that event.
- from 29 September to 8 October: Nancy Guthrie, accompanied by her husband David, will be speaking in several Impatto events for ladies.

Lots more to pray for. Lots of challenges to face. Lots of opportunities!

AND WE'RE BACK.

Beginning is easy, carrying on difficult and finishing a huge challenge.
So it is with blogs.
Can't guarantee how faithful we'll be at keeping this up. May well end up as more of an occasional update rather than something regular. But that's the nature of things.

Should you care to receive news regularly, we do send out a GILMORE30SEC update.
You can click HERE to subscribe.

Will be in touch. Soon...

Year on the Move

Well, finally it's here.
The moment of returning/relocating to Italy has arrived.
Excitement, anticipation, trepidation... all mixed into one.
Right now it's about packing up, deciding what needs to be taken, what needs to be taken now and what can be left for a few months still. Not an easy process.
And then there's the awareness of all that still needs to be done. Quite astounding.
But we are being constantly trained and challenged to live the Gospel and see God as being God.
2013. Who knows what it holds in store for us. Whatever comes, He knows and will be there.
The years might change, He never will.

Living on the edge

Not in the uncertain sense. About to fall, or things like that. Rather in the sense of anticipation. Like on the edge of your seat. Close to the action, to the limit of comfort zone. Savouring the moment, but living in holy anticipation of what is about to come. And it could be anything, anywhere. Suprises. But not really, because we expect them....
Living on the edge of the limit between the possible and the impossible. Believing, trusting, hoping, moving ahead. Sempre avanti.
Join us - living on the edge. 

Intense

Particularly busy period, this.
But encouraging.
Porterbrook Italia (Percorsi) has over 50 students now. Lots of encouraging feedback and interest further afield. Trying to keep up with revision of translations, staying connected with students and moving ahead...
Trying to keep on top of the fiscal/administrative poject for missionaries in Italy. Big need. Lots of work. Out of my depth most of the time. Help!
Thinking (and working) through Rox's next step. Big step. Need wisdom and clarity.

All this to say: were it not for the Gospel, it would be too much.

Sempre avanti!

December 2010 - News update

Ouch! It’s quite painful to think how long it is since we’ve sent out news. Of course there’s the blog, and Facebook and Twitter.. but they’re not always updated. So here goes: an impossible task – to summarize many months in a few paragraphs! :)  

In a few words? God is good!!!

FAMILY:
Annette continues to co-exist with M.E./CFS . Energy is still limited and she needs care to administer what she has. She has continued to develop her friendships locally as well as connecting as much as possible with friends in Italy too.  We are thankful for a measure of health and for God’s presence in times of questions…
Rox has just turned 20! Hard to believe! In June she completed 3 (happy) years at College. These however had not done much to prepare her for the next stage of life. As we prayerfully explored the next step, and visited more than 10 places, we ‘came across’ a specialized college in a nearby town. All the staff is specifically geared to assist those with challenges to ‘cross-over’ from academics to the working world, from teenage to adult… Miraculously (following quite a hard fight and lots of prayer) she was able to secure a place there. And so far (8 weeks in) it is proving to be a wonderful experience.  Two examples: she is loving doing sports (!), she is independent  every morning in getting ready and catching the transport provided. Challenges still remain, but there are encouraging signs of hope! Pray on! Go Rox!
Alex (17) successfully completed his lower set of examinations at school (GCSEs). Now he has embarked on A levels studies, with a particular flair for graphic design. But more importantly (!) he is in a serious relationship  with Abi!  We are grateful for spiritual development too!
Kristin  (15) continues to move forward (very well) in the area of academics. She continues to look forward (and long!) for a speedy return to Italy! But she is maturing in many areas and also wanting a serious Christian walk. We are thankful for that ( in this  quite god-less context, school and society…).
Jonathan (recently turned 23) is in reasonable health. The only activity is… ‘juggling’ the increasing ministry responsibilities with being a husband and father. One interesting development is the discovery of ‘tritones’, neo-urban gospel and Victor Wooten (thanks Youtube!).  A little more below of ministry news.
We enjoyed family trips to Italy at Easter and during the Summer.
We look forward to Christmas with the Gilmores in northern Italy (at my sister's place….).
 MINISTRY:
Lots (too much) to detail.
Just a list (basically) of some of the opportunities and challenges.
-          A good 80-90% of time and efforts are focused on Italy.  Wheelock Heath Baptist Church (identified now as our ‘sending church’) has graciously accepted to validate this involvement and we continue to be encouraged to move ahead in Italy-related ministry.
-          Locally Jonathan leads a Small Group and coordinates ongoing ministry at the local YMCA. The latter is particularly exciting. An ongoing weekly Gospel-activity has allowed for a climate of trust and partnership to develop. Besides giving us (individually and as a church) opportunities to interact with some of the YMers, there are now plans to expand further. This will include one or two regular follow-up sessions (Bible-study and support group..) as well as the possibility (currently being defined) of Jonathan taking on a chaplaincy for several months.  There are also other Gospel initiatives and opportunities and Jonathan continues to be very involved in all of this.
-          Back in Italy… Jonathan and Annette continue to keep in close contact with a number of young Italian adults. Annette’s heart is for a group of young adult ladies she has a deep friendship with. It is her desire to keep encouraging them and investing in their lives. Jonathan meets weekly with 4 young Italian men in 60-90 minute, one-to-one, skype-sessions. Using as a basis a leadership-training course (Learn to Lead), these are opportunities to mentor and share.
-          Italian Ministries continues to expand. Jonathan continues to shoulder much of the responsibility of leading this field-based missonal network. In September we were blessed by the third Missione Congress. Almost 300 people attended. The teaching was great (Dr. Ajith Fernando), the fellowship encouraging and refreshing, the programme full (7 parallel ‘tracks’ led by 7 different ministries…), the blessing wonderful. (One of the highlights was certainly seeing about 70 people respond to call to commitment and mission.) Not all is fun. There are frequent pastoral issues and this can be quite draining and demanding.
-          UCBC.(Union of Christian Bible Churches) Earlier this year Jonathan was chosen to be a member of the National Council of the UCBC . This is a growing national network of like-minded churches, extending throughout Italy. Responsibilities include strategic thinking and planning and pastoral issues.
-          Acts 29. During June an exploratory trip to Italy with Steve Timmis begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting, Western Europe leader for Acts 29, resulted in further conversations about Acts 29 in Italy. Recently this led to the development of an exciting coordinating responsibility for Jonathan of Acts 29 in Italy. This is currently being explored and defined further. But it could be massive. Watch this space.

During our Summer trip to Italy we had a blast! Involvement in several camps (in various ways) was really encouraging. We were also involved in the Messina and Rometta churches (mostly).

The big question: what next? We had anticipated returning back ‘home’ to Italy this past summer, but Rox’s situation made us prayerfully re-think that. Now Plan ‘A’ is we return back during the latter half of 2011. This may (depending on Rox’s situation) be further extended by another short time (Plan ‘B’). Alex looks set to continue here in the UK to finalize studies. We will be returning back to Sicily (our flat and things are still there) and will then take the next step (staying in Sicily? relocating in another more central, strategic location?). Also: rather than be spread too thin, we are prayerfully seeking His best and guidance for the coming years as we enter this new phase in our lives, focusing on a few areas, maybe less ‘juggling’.

Pray:
-          The timing for our return
-          Family: spiritual walk, health issues, financial needs (we are still very low..), Jonathan’s studies (extension given until Sept. 2011)
-          The ongoing multiple ministry commitments:  UK (local); Italy (IM, UCBC and A29)

Sempre Avanti!

Jonathan & Annette

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39c Crewe Rd., Sandbach, CW11 4NE, UK. - Tel: 01270767411/07846645039
C.P. 53, 98048 Spadafora (ME), Italy. - Tel: 3286518234
Email: jaydeegilmore@gmail.com
Twitter: twitter.com/jaydeegilmore
Facebook: facebook.com/jaydeegilmore
Blog: http://jdgilmore.blogspot.com

A29 WE

Just returned from Ignition - the A29 WE conference at Bawtry Hall.
Great time of encouragement being with various church planters from UK and beyond.
Acts 29 Western Europe is a church-planting network. The vision is an exciting one - to see churches planted throughout this needy continent.

Thinking about Italy... what about church-planting. What way forward? How to engage with Italians and bring the Gospel to lived out in authentic missional communities?

Much to prayerfully consider. And ask: how can A29 look like in Italy..

Watch this space...!

Sempre avanti!

Operation World

The new edition of Operation World has just come out.
Italian Ministries is mentioned a couple of times.
You may also be interested in a short prayer video.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72boRi0tiM0

Freedom in the Furnace!

Despite the preacher (!) God's word continues to strike me. Daniel's 3 friends were courageous enough to disregard the kings orders and threats. They had the guts to go counterculture. They disdained the furnace. All this because they knew HE IS ABLE.
So often frustration comes because of a perceived stalemate situation. In many areas it's almost as though things are not progressing. Yet, HE IS ABLE.
And the idols try to convince us to fall down and worship.
The 3 friends stood firm and strong. They counted the cost and knew HE IS ABLE. They ended up in the furnace and in that place of weakness and apparent defeat, a resounding victory was accomplished. GOD IS ABLE!

Works in progress...

I have been chosen to be one of the Italian delegates at Lausanne III, at Cape Town from 17-24 October. Part of this implies wading through documents, statements, papers in view of further discussions and the elaboration of statements at the conference itself. It is a very meticulous job. It certainly requires much more time and attention than I will be giving it. There are some very good emphases which are emerging, such as the need for a better ecclesiology in the church today. But there are also concerns over a tendency, I feel, to blurring distinctive lines of Gospel definitions, for example, or give excessive attention to minor (though important) elements like ecological or political involvement. Some bits are quite worrying. It will be interesting to have the perspective of 4000 or so world leaders and to be able to take the pulse of the world church.... Meanwhile... works in progress!

Not a stroll

God wonderfully blessed us at the recent MISSIONE 2010 mission congress in Italy.
Some 300 believers from all over Italy assembled to be encouraged and challenged about missions. 30 different organizations set up stands and conversations abounded. 7 different organizations (OM Italy, GBU, UCBC, META, nove37. YFC Italy and IM) put on parallel tracks. Children and youth enjoyed special programs.
We appreciated the rich, deep teaching given by Dr. Ajith Fernando.

S'NO WORDS!

Back from URBANA

Happy New Year!
Just returned home.
Summing up our time at Urbana - very good!
Some 150 direct conversations and contacts to follow up. Some 30 ministries too.
Good interest in Italy. We were basically the only 'country-stand'. Even the St, Louis paper mentioned us in their article.

Back home now... back into the swing of things.
New year, new challenge.

URBANA 2009

Italian Minstries is present at URBANA 2009.
Here is the stand.

I am here with my colleague: Giuseppe.
17,000 college students are present!
Great opportunity to raise the profile and challenge of  mission in Italy.

Recovering and getting Ready...

Story of our life, it seems. I've usually just returned from somewhere and am recovering whilst getting ready for next trip. Like right now...
Had a great weekend in Italy. Lots of meaningful contacts. Encouraging ministry (preaching in a disco was a 'first' for me!), lots of kms....
Now preparing for IM display at Urbana (27.12-1.1).
Meantime... getting ready for Christmas! Kids home on hols. Yeah!
But... ministry opportunities too... tomorrow (Sunday) morning speaking at WHBC; Tuesday - epilogue at YMCA event; Wednesday - another activity at YMCA....
Meantime...trying to recover from bad cold. Antibiotics. Bad, fluid-filled ear. Not looking forward to flights next week if not recovered....

Amidst the rush of life it's good to know there is One who understands, gives energy and guidance and has a master-plan!

The Emerald Isle

Just back from a couple of days over in Ireland (literally) - care of a low-cost carrier (10p return trip for ALL the family!!!!) and some kind friends who worked out comfortable accomodation for us. (Thanks P + H).
Went as a family. It was good to be together, though not all together was good ;)..
Enjoyed the Giant's Causeway. Remarkable rock formation. Worth seeing.
Had a fleeting glimpse of Dublin and Belfast. (Click HERE for short clip...).
In all, too much travelling....
Now back to backlogged work....

:)