“Ye are the light of the world” Matthew 5:14
From October 14-16, 2016, a conference and the Graduation Ceremony for the students of the Lighthouse Missionary Bible School [Scuola Biblica Missionaria IL FARO] was held. The missionary school is the SDARM Italian Field's educational institution, which was begun in 2013. The first course organized by the school— Fundamentals of Biblical Truths— ended last January 2016, and this fall the graduation conference was held—the first of its kind in Italy.
The place selected for this event was the Ospitalia del Mare hotel in the sea town Levanto in La Spezia) Italy. Despite a strong storm that hit that same weekend, our brethren and friends coming from Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Hungary, Romania, and Italy arrived without problems. Of the 18 students that were to graduate this weekend, 16 students arrived. Unfortunately, two were not able to make it due to weather or other circumstances.
Altogether we had approximately 100 individuals present for our Sabbath service, among them Brother Ferenc Matyas (GC Secretary for Europe), Brother Pedro Conceição (GC Auditor)—who had the privilege to give diplomas to his three children, Brother Marcos Goncalves (French Field Leader), and Brother Marius Stroia (Northern Germany Field Leader), who had been present for the inauguration of the school and its first program.
Of course, the highlight of the conference was the graduation ceremony, which was held just after the closing of the Sabbath. Brother Campodonico (LMBS Director) and Brother Matyas delivered a few words, and then Sister Sascau, the missionary school's Secretary/Treasurer, called the students one by one. The school Director and the elders and ministers present handed the students their diplomas and certificates.
After a sunny Sabbath, we had a lovely sunny Sunday that allowed everyone present to visit the beautiful Cinque Terre National Park.
As we look back to the missionary school's first three years and the graduation conference, we thank God for this beautiful experience and the great things He has done for us!
More on the weekend and Sunday's outing can be found on our church's Italian website here.
