GIANNI & STEPHANY BRUNO
from Italy to Johnson Bible College

Think about Italy, and you think: spaghetti, pizza, soccer and Roman Catholic Church. But have you ever stopped to think of Italy as an unreached people group and as a nation with NO Bible Colleges? Now stop and think of a young couple who earnestly desires to be fully equipped for the ministry in Italy. That’s us! Our heart’s desire is to attend a Bible College to sharpen our sword. In order to do so we must come to the States. We wish then to return to the Italian harvest and dedicate our lives to the spiritual growth of the Italian churches and the salvation of our fellow-countrymen. Pray that the Lord will provide for us as we step out in faith.

We want to be an active part in the ministry at the center ‘Risorse del Levante’ of the Italy for Christ Mission. This would include:

• Elder and deacon training
• Special ministry for the disabled
• Special ministry for the abused
• Special ministry for the chronically ill
• Pre-marital and marital counseling
• Crisis counseling
• Seminars in Biblical communication
• Evangelism
• Youth Ministry

Other dreams are that you will accept to come and help us in the work in Italy, and that more and more Italian Christians will also become involved in full-time Christian work.

Finally, we are also praying that the Lord would allow us, in His timing, to start a Bible College in Italy for young people like us who desire a Christian education, but do not have the opportunity to study stateside.

If you are gifted in any of the areas listed above, or you simply feel called to help in the Italian harvest, please do not hesitate any longer! Talk to us about it.

One grows on a tree, bitter to the taste; the other matures on a vine, divinely sweet;

One is harvested in the brisk cold; the other in the last days of summer heat;

One is swept vigorously from the ground, the other is gently cut while in air;

The one is very firm with a large seed, the other is soft and its seeds so fair.

The olive hangs around with boisterous antipasti, zingy salads, cheesy and tomatoey pizza;

But the grape prefers quieter company and waits patiently for the end of the meal and even slowly dries into a chewy raisin for all kinds of dessert.

But once pressed down, once both have endured intense stress to the point of giving the best of themselves, even though they keep their distinct individuality, they finally come together,oil and vinegar, in perfect harmony!

"As the olive and the grape are different, we are discovering and appreciating our differences as individuals, giving each other the permission to be who God has created us to be. Though different in our personalities, our prayer is that through all the suffering, difficulties, and trials of life, God will press us down and help us give our best of ourselves for serving Him, one another and His church."

My name is Giovanni (Gianni) Bruno. I was born on April 17th, 1972 to Gino and Pina Bruno. My two brothers, my sister and I grew up in the Church of Christ in Latiano, Italy. I was baptized on November 13th, 1985. My high school education was in Industrial Electronics and I earned my degree as an electronic chief technician in 1990. From July of 1991 to June of 1992 I served compulsory military service. I was a marksman in my tank division and attained rank as a sergeant. I worked for the Opel car Dealership for 6 1/2 years, first as an electro technical engineer, then as a marketing manager of after-sales service and warranty division. I started preaching in my home church at Latiano in 1986 and I have continued on a regular basis with other brothers from my city. In 1996 I was given the responsibility of caring and nurturing the youth group in church. On October 10th, 1999 I married Stephany and we have grown together from that time. We want to work for the Lord full time, and for this reason I quit my job last March and we will enroll at Johnson Bible College in August of 2001.

My name is Stephany Ann and I was born in Columbus, Ohio on June 5th, 1976 to missionaries Jim and Caranita Wolsieffer. My parents returned to Italy when I was ten months old, so Italy became my crib and eventually my home. I was born again on July 6th, 1986. My high school education was in Classical studies (i.e. Greek, Latin, Philosophy). Following my graduation in 1995, I tried to enroll in a Physical Therapy school, but since the doors were closed for me, I packed my bags and left for the States to enroll in a Pre-Physical Therapy program at Bob Jones University. But the Lord had other plans for me. Far from Italy, and daily exposed to God’s Word, His Spirit convicted me that the nation I comfortably considered my home in reality is a mission field. All my projects began to gradually change. I began to pray for three things: to be His ambassador, to earn a Bible degree, and to have a husband with whom to serve in Italy. The Lord started answering my prayers in reverse order! Gianni and I are living God's promise: "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).