In 2016, the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) began a four-year mission partnership with the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in Northeast Italy. The MBC requested at least 15 MBC Churches partner with IMB missionaries and local Italian Churches in the northeast region of Veneto, Italy. Rick Hedger, MBC partnership missions specialist, highlighted the importance of reaching this area recently when he said: “That region of Italy is 0.46 % evangelical, not even a half of a percent evangelical.”
When Rick Hedger shared this information, Pastor Jeremy’s prayer was that First Baptist Scott City would become one of the 15 churches that engage in this “ends of the earth” Great Commission opportunity. Jeremy spoke with John Vernon, Director of Missions of the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association, and he believed that Italy may be the next missions emphasis for the Association.
February 29, 2016, John and Jeremy traveled to northeast Italy with other Missouri Baptist pastors and left with a burden for this area. We met with local pastors about forming a partnership with them to plant churches and make disciples. We prayed with them and sought God’s will and wisdom for this possible missions endeavor. Find out more about this trip here.
On March 20, 2016 at 6pm, Pastor Jeremy shared details about the trip and about the missions partnership. At the April 2016 Business Meeting, First Baptist voted to affirm this Great Commission partnership. Our goal, in cooperation with the Cape Baptist Association to send 3 or 4 teams of 4-6 people each year to this area. Please be in prayer about this Great Commission opportunity to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Update: September 2017. Pastor Jeremy, Jared Griffin, and 4 other church leaders from the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association went back to Belluno, Italy in September 2017 to begin planning a long term strategy for reaching the Belluno area for Jesus Christ. We left the area even more burdened for those who do not know Jesus in this area. Find out more about the trip here and here.
Update: September 2018. Pastor Jeremy, Kyle Brown, Karleigh Payne, and 3 others from churches in the Cape Baptist Association went to Belluno. Find out more about the trip here.
Update: September 2019. Pastor Jeremy, Jared Griffin, Kyle Brown and 4 others went back to Belluno during September 2019. This trip focused on Evangelism and Discipleship. Read more about the trip here and here.
September 2020. The 2020 trip was cancelled due to COVID travel restrictions. While this was not what we wanted, we trust that God remains in control and has not stopped working in Italy!
A 2021 is being prayed over and planned as we speak. As of March 2021, the travel restrictions have not been lifted. Please pray for God to provide an open door for us to go. If you are interested in going, please contact Pastor Jeremy. Please pray:
- For the people of Belluno, Italy to know Jesus Christ and Savior and Lord.
- That worship and praise would fill the people of Belluno and that they would hope in Christ Jesus.
- For Pastor Tommaso and the church in Belluno. Pray for them to be united in love for one another and for their city. Pray that God would raise up mature Christians. Pray that the church in Belluno would grow and plant new churches in the city.
- For those who go. Pray that the message may be given to us that when we open our mouths we would make known with boldness the gospel (Eph 6:19).
Blessings in Christ! Pastor Jeremy
First Baptist Scott City, MO 
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