"Italian Evangelicals Pay Homage to Refugees in Milan's Prisons"
On a recent Sunday, the Sorgente di Vita church in Milano played host to an event organised by the Italian Evangelical Alliance (AEI), OASI ministry, and SDV church. The event, themed "I was in prison", aimed to reflect on the reality of imprisonment faced by refugees, both physically and spiritually.
The day began with presentations of several missionary projects, including the work of Michele Recupero, who shared his missionary work inside and outside prisons. Recupero's stories included the heart-wrenching tale of alleged boat smugglers framed by those who actually carried out human trafficking.
Two former refugees, who found salvation and a new family in Christ upon arrival in Italy, shared their inspiring testimonies during the morning service. Their stories served as a testament to the transformative power of faith and the importance of welcome and support for refugees.
AEI's ongoing mission revolves around prayer, evangelism, rehabilitation, and practical welcome. They emphasize praying for refugees fleeing war, violence, persecution, and for those detained due to immigration status. The organisation sees its mission as not only to pray but also to actively welcome refugees and bring hope and true freedom to those imprisoned or oppressed, focusing on rehabilitation rather than merely highlighting injustice.
Recent events commemorating World Refugee Sunday saw AEI highlighting testimonies from refugees and prisoners, sharing news about missionary projects supporting detainees, and conducting community-building activities such as welcoming refugees with gifts and organising friendly sports matches to foster relationships and social inclusion.
Claudio Pepe presented Al Massira, a documentary film aimed at Muslims, translated into multiple languages and already tested in some churches. The film, which has already shown fruit in some churches, is a powerful tool for evangelism and engagement with the Muslim community.
The event also included a soccer game aimed at allowing young refugees to build relationships. A Peruvian lunch was served during the event, providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Samuele Pellerito, pastor of SDV church and president of Elim churches in Italy, referenced the history of Paul and Silas in Acts 16 during the event. Pellerito urged attendees to pray for those in prison, oppressed, and those who do not have what they have, emphasizing the importance of the message of freedom found in Christ Jesus.
The AEI's mission reflects a holistic approach aimed at offering freedom in Christ and tangible care to marginalized groups within Italy. Through prayer, evangelism, practical assistance, and advocacy for justice and rehabilitation, the organisation is making a significant impact in the lives of refugees and prisoners.
In the spirit of shared faith and community building, the SDV church, as part of the AEI mission, is planning to initiate home-and-garden programs for refugee families, offering them a nurturing environment that echoes the transformative power of their new lifestyle in Christ. Claudio Pepe, acknowledging the power of storytelling, plans to screen Al Massira, a translatable documentary, in refugee homes, hoping it will further bridge the gap and encourage positive lifestyle changes among the Muslim community in Milano.
