Manuel is married to Jania; they have two daughters, Rebecca (7 years old) and little Rachele (3 years old).

The Lord saved Manuel during a visit to Brazil. Jania is Brazilian; she invited Manuel to attend an evangelical service. At that time he wasn’t able to speak and understand Portuguese, but God granted him the ability to understand everything during the service. The Lord spoke to him through the preaching of the Word, and gave him a new heart to believe.

Since that time the Lord has put in his heart a great passion for the Bible. He studied the Scriptures with eagerness, but a question troubled his soul: ‘Am I sure of my salvation? - Do I have certainty about my eternal life?’ God used this anxiety to lead him to study reformed theology, and over a period of time to guide him into the pastoral ministry.

Today, having studied theology, first in Padua at IFED, 'Istituto di Formazione Evangelica e Documentazione’ (Institute of Evangelical Training and Research), with Pietro Bolognesi and Leonardo De Chirico, then at London Seminary, he is now fully engaged in all the activities of the new church in Ravenna.

Ravenna is a relatively large commercial city in the north of Italy. The main religion is of course Roman Catholicism, but sadly, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the prosperity gospel have also gained many converts. Manuel believes that, as in the days of the prophet Elijah, today the church in Italy faces a great spiritual battle against Satan and idolatry. To win this great battle we must trust in God and in the power of the Word of God.

The new church in Ravenna has regular Lord’s Day services and Sunday school activities; it also meets in houses for Bible studies and prayer meetings. Manuel can testify that the Lord has been faithful and good, and that it is only right to give Him all thanks and praise.

If you want to know more about the new church plant in Ravenna please visit the church web site: www.chiesasolocristo.com

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