Since the first gospel trip (Torch relay 1, TR1), which started in early December 2025, until the close of the last gospel trip (Olympic games 2, OL2), it has been evident that the Lord has been moving in our move! There has been a “wheel within the wheel,” and many seeds have been sown in the places these teams have visited (see map for the cities that teams visited). We have had a total of 246 saints—some from 9 European countries (United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, and Switzerland); others from the US, Australia, Canada, China, Ghana, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, and Taiwan; plus 62 from within Italy—all joining together so that the Lord would have a way to bless the move of His Body in Italy.

These teams distributed 15,843 Italian gospel tracts and met many with whom they shared the riches of God’s salvation. There were 261 follow-up appointments and 41 open homes. The most striking thing experienced by the teams was meeting so many open vessels who expressed their desire for something real and eternal. Those who have been serving in Italy can testify that there is a marked difference this year in how open people are to hearing the gospel, praying to receive the Lord, and even being baptized. They received the Word and the ministry as we sang hymns and read verses together and through our overflow and enjoyment of Christ and our testifying Christ as our reality. We are encouraged to see that many continue to grow in the Lord, appointment by appointment, as we read through Basic Elements of the Christian Life together.

There are many open students at the University of Padua (which is near the church in Vicenza) who have been gathering in the homes. At the end of March over 15 from Italy attended the European university conference, including several new students.

There are several groups of scattered saints in Italy who were very supplied and encouraged by the saints coming for the TR and OL Gospel Trips. In Prato and nearby Fucecchio, the saints have been there for more than a decade. The blending between these saints and the rest of the Body had been very limited, but the recent visitations have been a breath of fresh air! Through the blending, the saints in Prato were stirred up to begin taking the Lord's table. The Body has also been stirred up to visit them more to be a supply to Prato. Several saints, including co-working brothers, have made repeated visits. Now, in fellowship with the Body, the saints are preparing to declare the lampstand in Prato on May 17, 2026.

There is also a group of saints desirous to be the Lord’s testimony in Turin who plan to meet in the near future as the church in Turin. Saints from Spain, France, and other places have been repeatedly visiting Turin to shepherd the many open new ones and to strengthen the saints.

Our expectation is that surely the Lord will keep operating in people’s hearts so that the seeds will grow and develop, giving Him the way to raise up groups of seekers and lovers in these places. The last Olympic gospel trip has ended, but the Lord is not ending His moving in Italy; He is continuing to move. For this, may we remain one with Him in our praying, giving, and going. For the “going,” a letter with instructions to register for follow-up shepherding trips is available here.