Monique Parks – Rome Experience
Expectations vs. Reality of the Trip
Initial expectations were based on idealized images of Italy, like those seen in Italian restaurants, with streams, boats, and picturesque scenes.The reality was different, with descriptions of the city as “dirty.”Encounters with Missionaries and Refugees
Visited missionaries and people he’s been working with in Lebanon.Heard testimonies of people who went through hardships to find safety.Muslims had to hide their Christian faith to avoid being killed.“They had to hang on to bottoms of trucks, and somewhere safe, because if people knew that they were Christians, even if it was their own thing, we would have killed them”The experience made her feel inadequate in her own service to the Lord.“It made me feel this small, you know, because I don’t do nearly enough for the Lord”Observations in Vatican City
Felt a sense of unease in Vatican City.Felt that most people were “going to hell.”Observed sadness, anger, and rudeness in the people encountered.“They all looked so sad. Sad or mad or just rude. They were very rude.”Attributed this to a lack of faith in the Lord.“That’s what you have when you don’t have the Lord.”Impactful Testimonies
Hearing testimonies was the most impactful part of the trip.Met a man from the “Afghan house” who had been taking care of himself since age nine.He has been his main provider since he was nine years old.Reflected on how his own children could not handle such responsibility.“I can’t imagine my kids even being 10 and 11 taking care of themselves”Realized her own selfishness and need to help others more.Commitment to Spreading the Word
Determined to share her faith despite potential criticism.“I’m trying to get the word out there. No matter if people think I’m crazy or look at me funny, talk about me, whatever. There’s worse things.”Motivated by the belief that people are “facing hell.”Discomfort with Public Transportation
Experienced discomfort with public transportation due to being an introvert.“Anybody that knows me well, I’m not much of an outgoing person or a hickly person.”Hoped that their positive attitude on public transport might have positively impacted others.“Just smiling and laughing and just trying to make the best of certain situations that hopefully that was a lie to somebody.”Concerns for Victor’s Ministry
Expressed concern for Victor’s ministry in Italy due to language barriers.“He doesn’t know fluently Italian”Asked for prayers for Victor to learn Italian and effectively teach about the Lord.“Pray for him that he can learn what he needs to learn, but teach them about the Lord in, you know, whatever way that he can.”Acknowledged the loneliness and barriers Victor faces.“Just being around people who had no idea what you were there for and seeing you walking down the street and just look at you funny”Observations on Local Churches
Visited churches with small congregations of believers.“Maybe 40 of them all together that are trying to make it happen.”Noted that many locals do not believe in the Lord and worship Mary and the saints.“They worship Mary and they worship, you know, the saints and things like that.”Expressed hope for the churches to help the people.Reflection on Personal Responsibility
Realized the need to be more active in sharing faith, especially compared to those in challenging situations.“We live in the Bible Belt. We don’t even come out of our house to say anything to anybody.”Recognized her own insignificance and limited thinking.“That showed me just how small I am on the spectrum and how little that I think.”Pastor Tommy
Rome Trip Overview
Traveled to Rome with Tish and Victor.Tish’s health app recorded 42 miles walked during the week.Used public transportation due to high gas prices ($7-$8/gallon).Observed mostly small cars and scooters.Victor’s schedule was full, and they tried to keep every appointment.Experienced “divine appointments” throughout the week.Scripture Reading: Acts 8:26-40
Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch.An angel directed Philip to go towards Gaza.Philip met an Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah.The eunuch asked Philip to explain the scripture.Philip preached Jesus to him, and the eunuch was baptized.After the baptism, the Spirit took Philip away.Missionary Perspective
Helping missionaries is different from being with them and seeing their work firsthand.Victor’s ability to speak the language was crucial.Learned a lot about Victor without him saying much.People ran to him, kissed him, and called him “Grandpa.”Showed the impact of deep evangelism.God showed a picture of mission work.Everyone is a missionary in their own environment.It is important to share Jesus and establish relationships.The Gospel Message
The gospel is the same everywhere.Jesus came to save the lost.The simple gospel: Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again.Some people serve others in various capacities.Serving in jails, homeless areas, workplaces, and schools.Going Deeper, Not Wider
It’s more important to know who is behind the door and how to help them.Need to create trust to share Christ.Affecting someone for eternity requires going deeper.Disciplined Obedience
Philip was a deacon who shared Jesus.It takes a heart for God and people to get involved in the community.One-time interactions are not enough.Need to be led by God to help with circumstances and build relationships.Philip prayed daily and studied scriptures.Philip loved to sow the seed everywhere.The sower went out to sow.Need to be ready to sow seeds wherever God makes it possible.The Great Commission: Go and teach all nations, baptizing them.Everyone has a commission to take the gospel to whoever they meet.Don’t know where the seeds will land, but God knows the good ground.Each person has a responsibility to sow the seed.Many are unwilling to try to find someone who will hear.Loving People at a Deeper Level
Need to start loving people at a deeper level and get involved in their lives.Become a resource of truth so people realize there’s something about Jesus.Divine Direction
Philip was a witness for God.Need divine direction in our lives.Pray for those involved in ministry.The angel of the Lord told Philip to go.Philip obeyed God and did what he was supposed to do.Determined Response
Need a determined response to God’s direction.Victor went back to Rome with only a general direction from God.Philip’s response was the beginning of his ability to reach someone.Called to be the salt and light of the earth.Without a response, nothing will change.Divine Appointments
God knew about the Ethiopian in Jerusalem.Need to go into our neighbors and keep going back to establish relationships.Sometimes God can save someone at the first encounter, but it’s rare.Victor’s testimony: He had never heard the gospel until someone knocked on his door.Philip went to Gaza as he was told.Need divine appointments.God’s direction is to go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in.Wherever God has planted you, there is someone in your path.Care for people and their circumstances to help them in the name of Jesus Christ.The Power of Love and Patience
Saw the power of love and patience.One man came from a family of Muslim clerics and had read the Quran 150 times.Two American missionaries shared Christ with him.They kept answering his questions, loving on him, feeding him, and helping him.He ended up in an apartment purchased by a Baptist church.He called an old man “Grandpa.”It all happened because someone was willing to go deeper with this man.Introduce Christ by loving them in a meaningful way.John 6:44: No man can come to me except the Father draw him.Nobody can get saved apart from the Holy Spirit.Be willing to love someone beyond the circumstances and provide for their needs.The Impact of One Man
Seeing the impact of one man in the lives of several men.The way to reach neighbors is to care about them.Recognize their needs and problems and help them.The parable of the Good Samaritan: Get in the ditch with the person, clean their wounds, and help them.Missionary work will cost you, especially your time.Sowing the Seed and Waiting
Start with sowing the seed.Listen to the divine direction.Wait for divine appointment.Minister to the needs of someone you have met and cared for.They may recognize that the church cares and trust them enough to share their needs.Be there as a church.Share with the world who Jesus is.Examples of Churches
One church had 42 chairs and wasn’t full.They planted a church across town in an affluent area.Met 15 souls who believed in Jesus Christ.Invited to walk in the city and pray through communities.Shared Bible study and the difficulties they faced in a Catholic culture.The problems in Rome are the same as here: Nobody cares.Nominal Catholics are like nominal Christians.Met people in Rome with zeal for God, trying to go deep with one person at a time.The problem is the numbers: The harvest is great, but the laborers are few.The Need for Prayer and Change
Thousands of people in the area around the church.Nobody is knocking on their door.Even if we take this seriously, the laborers are few.Some won’t even accept the call to be a missionary.Not excused from the commission.Need prayer and change.Need a disciplined obedience.Repent and volunteer to help.Assume responsibility for what the Lord has given us to do.Effective Evangelism
Evangelism is not done on a shallow level.Focus on one person and go back repeatedly.Shake the dust off your feet and move on if they don’t receive it.Someone you know needs Jesus Christ.You may be the only Jesus they know.Invest in that relationship to tell them about Jesus.The Story of Paul in Macedonia
Paul and Silas went everywhere, but the Holy Spirit didn’t allow them to go.Paul had a dream of a man in Macedonia asking for help.They went to Macedonia and met women by the river.One woman got born again, and her house got born again.She opened her house to the disciples.The Philippian jailer got saved, and his house got saved.A church started in Philippi.Paul was willing to witness to one woman.God arranged a divine appointment.Real Missionary Work
Real missionary work is in our backyards.God could send you to a third-world country if you desire.Doesn’t excuse anyone from being a missionary in their own community.What are we doing for Christ?
View all episodes
