Aurora ITA

How do you find the point of a passage??? How do you determine the biblical author’s intent in the writing of a book of the Bible? How do you discover the theme of a passage and understand how the author is building an argument to unfold that particular theme? And if you do uncover the point of the passage, the authorial intent, theme and subsequent argumentation, … how do you preach it all???

The above is an example of some of the fundamental issues in expositional preaching that the Italian Theological Academy’s students in the expository preaching program “wrestled with” in their attempt to further progress their studies, during the second week of November ‘09 at the ITA.

This second week in the expository preaching program at the ITA consisted in learning the principles of Bibliology and Hermeneutics. Theory was followed by vital practice in the classroom as students did detailed exegesis of particular biblical passages like 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 regarding the excellence of love above all the gifts God has given to His Church. Exegesis and homiletics were also combined in a rich study of the Biblical book of 3 John.

The class was taught by seasoned pastor and seminary professor Jerry Wragg, from Jupiter, Florida. Those present, men involved in pastoral ministry from churches throughout five regions in Italy, would all conclude that this was indeed another profound step forward for the local church and the preaching of the Word of God in Italy.

The Bibliology & Hermeneutics class will start November 9 to 13. This is the second class in the first year of the expository preaching program. The professor will be Jerry Wragg, from Grace Immanuel Bible Church, Jupiter FL.

From the eleven students that have attended the first class, only seven will be able to participate this time.  Pray for the remaining four students, as they will not be there due to illnesses.  In particular, pray for one who is waiting for a liver transplant.

Follow the class progress on Facebook!

Johnny & Alexandra Gravino, with their children Samuele and Maddalena, are the newest addition to the Italian Theological Academy family in Acireale.

They arrived safe and sound at destination on July 14th 2009!  They are now preparing their home and getting ready to jump in full time.  Johnny’s main task will be to provide leadership to the training center and to the local Acireale Church, supported by his fellow Aurora Missionaries, Marco and Simona Albanesi and Giuseppe and Viviana Fortuna.

Johnny received his Master of Divinity Degree (M.Div.) from the Master Seminary, Sun Valley, CA – where he graduated, Suma Cum Laude. He completed an intensive internship at his sending church in Rome, Chiesa Berea with Pastor William Standridge, prior to arriving at the Academy.

In May we had our class in Systematic Theology, taught by Professor Phil Johnson, with eleven students present. The class was very challenging and we were very impressed by the level of depth of the student’s questions and their desire to learn more.

Johnny did a great job in teaching the Theological English class in June, and was an encouragement to the whole staff with his morning messages.

The last week of June we completed the class covering the reformation in church history, taught by Doug McMasters. We are challenged every time we are reminded of the faithfulness of men that suffered and died for the cause of the Gospel.

August will be a very intense month, with most of the Italian students attending the classes this month.  Three classes will be taught back-to-back:  Bible Survey of the Old Testament, Expository Teaching Seminar, and Biblical counseling.

The Biblical Counseling Program was in session from August 27-31 2008. Carey Hardy, Pastor of Twin City Baptist Church, is beginning the three year program. We had 23 students enrolled.

Karise Pagano finished serving on a short-term trip. She was serving along side the Albanesi’s, Fortuna’s and Collesano’s, helping them to evangelize and prepare the ITA campus for the classes. ( You can do this too!) To read her testimony see ” A Servant’s Heart” on the Aurora Mission website.

20 Students have finished their second year of Bible Survey with Professor Grisanti. They have now completed Survey of the Old Testament. Next year they will Survey the New Testament to complete their three year program!

We are so excited about the 2007 Focus conference held in Chianciano, Italy October 10-12. Five Hundred pastors and their wives were in attendance! During the conference, the MacArthur Study Bible (in Italian) was presented to Dr. John MacArthur as well as to the Italian church leaders. This year, some guests from the U.S. attended to participate in the Focus Tour that was organized in correlation with this special event. The conference was a huge success and many of the Italian church leaders bought extra copies of the Italian MacArthur Study Bible to take back to their churches, family, and friends. We know that this Bible will be a tremendous tool to help the Italian people better understand the Word of God. Thank you for your prayers! (A video & slide show from Focus 2007 is  available on-line and a slide show from the Focus on Italy Tour is up too. All Focus Sessions are now available to listen to or download!)