Franesco Interview

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In the Spring of this year, Francesco and Claudia Arco moved to Genoa to work alongside Team Italy One. Their passion for the Gospel and credibility as national believers has sparked some of the most exciting opportunities and stories of the past year. All told, “Fra and Cla” have led 17 people to the Lord in less than a year of ministry. I had the privilege of interviewing my colleague Francesco about some of his experiences and insights.

Dustin: Describe why you and your wife Claudia decided to leave behind your lives in Bologna and work as missionaries in Genoa alongside the team.

Francesco: Before Claudia and I even knew each other, both of us wanted to serve the Lord full-time. Neither of us knew exactly how, just that we each knew it was our vocation to proclaim the Gospel. The Lord was gracious to allow us to come together from two different continents (Francesco is Sicilian and Claudia is Paraguayan), with a love in our hearts for one another and to serve the Lord.

We had already set the date of our wedding when we started to explore different options for how we could follow the Lord in His calling for our lives.

Two missionaries from Avant Ministries, Tom Caldbeck and Timothy Kroeker, had founded our local church (New Hope Church). Mark Bruner, Director of Short-Cycle Church Planting for Avant, came to visit them and I sought him out because of his knowledge and experience as a missionary for several years across the world. Mark was very excited that we wanted to Serve the Lord full-time, proposing that Claudia and I serve as a support to the Short-Cycle team that was being formed to work for 5 years in Genoa. Having both sensed in our hearts that the Lord was calling us to this ministry, we made the move to Genoa a year later and 4 months after our wedding.

Dustin: You and Claudia arrived in Genoa in May of this year. Can you describe your experience in these first months of ministry?

Francesco: I would have to say that they have been really positive. The only setback has been that Claudia has been forced to work because we don’t have sufficient support. But the Lord has blessed us and allowed us bring many people to Christ. Claudia works at a nursing home, where she has already brought 9 patients to the Lord, 4 of whom have gone on to be with their Savior. One of her colleagues has also accepted Jesus and is growing in the Lord. The Lord has also allowed that I would lead 7 other people to the Lord, even if only 5 of them appear to be walking with Him. If I had to put it in English, I would say that these first months have been… very good!!!

Dustin: You mentioned that it’s your calling to proclaim the gospel. Is this your greatest passion in serving the Lord?

Francesco: Yes. A few days after my conversion, I felt inside of me a passion to proclaim the Gospel, a total and great passion that I can’t be silent in any situation about God. When I see a person that doesn’t knew Jesus the first thought that comes to mind is that this lost soul will go to Hell if I don’t tell them about Jesus. This passion for Jesus, for the Gospel, and for lost souls is what brought Claudia and I to Genova.

An Interview With Italian Partner, Francesco Arco (Part 1)

By: Dustin Mahoney

Nov 5, 2008

Photo By: Eletrix

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