As we noted in our previous updates, we held a meeting this last Saturday, December 13th, providing an update on the details for our family’s move to northern Italy. We believe that God has opened an incredible door for the Gospel through our work with refugees and our desire is to remain true to the call that God has given to us while also taking the next steps by working to reach many more people both locally and internationally.

In the video below, Gina provides an update regarding our family for the first five minutes and then Ryan walks through the background of the ministry work that we have been part of with our team here in Catania and talks about the new international work that is underway to help everyone understand the reasoning behind our planned move to northern Italy. You can see that video below, which we will make available for the next two weeks. After that time, please contact us directly if you would like to see the video.

Q&A

Following the overview, the group that was with us online asked a series of questions. To protect their privacy, we have removed that portion of the recording from the video above, but here is a summary of the questions that were asked and the answers we provided:

When are you planning to move?

We are planning to move sometime in May. We have given our landlord notification of our intent to leave our apartment by June 1, 2026.

Do you have a location that you are planning to move?

At this point, we are planning to move north of Milan but remain in Italy, likely in the Lombardia region.

What types of changes do you anticipate in your day-to-day work?

We will continue to do work locally, sharing the Gospel, making disciples, and planting churches. However, in continuing with what we are already doing, we also anticipate quite a bit of work with our partners, teaching and training them, discipling them to disciple others. They will be doing the bulk of the travel into other countries, but we will likely also travel at points to work with leaders in other countries in south Asia, southeast Asia, Africa, or other locations. In short, up to now, we have done most of our work through direct evangelism and discipleship. While that will continue, we will also disciple workers to make more disciples and make more leaders, both locally and internationally, so that churches can be planted throughout these locations.

Will the team in Catania continue to function? How will that work as they move forward?

Three American families will remain in Catania and nearly all of the existing ministries will continue forward for the time being. In 2026, there will be a short-term team and a group of interns. Agape Bici and the community garden projects will continue as they are today. Beyond the local team, the local Sicilians and churches that we have worked with them to start will continue. Our desire is that, over time, the Sicilian and refugees with whom everyone is working will be able to continue to take a greater leadership role in the local ministry.

How many nations do the apostolic band represent, and how will they be working as they are sent?

Currently, they come from one nation, but our plan is to continue to expand the work, including others as well. As they go to do the work, they may travel together, although they will often travel by themselves into the various countries where they are working. As they enter those countries, they will be working alongside of other local people, working in partnership with local leaders, catalyzing new opportunities to make disciples and plant multiplying churches in these other countries.

You’ve had relationships with other people in Greece in Spain. Will those relationships and partnership work continue?

Yes, although many of those people have moved now into other areas of the world, thankfully in similar areas where we intend to work. Our partnership with them will continue.

What is the core of the message for this meeting?

First, we want to say how thankful we are for everyone who has walked with us over these last nine and half years. We would not be able to do what God has called us to do if you all had not walked with us in this process!

Second, we think it is critically important that, as we follow the path that we believe God is leading us, that everyone understands this new phase and these new steps. Our hope is that everyone will continue to walk with us, pray for us, and support us financially. For that matter, come and visit us as well to be involved in the work! This is our desire, to make sure that we are moving well together, communicating well together, and supporting one another as God leads each us individually and corporately.

What are some of the opportunities and needs for your family or for the ministry work as you move forward?

First, we are asking for prayer for our move. Obviously, there are many logistics that we will be undertaking, but obviously there are several changes coming for our kids as well. Hannah will remain in Catania, Ellie will return to Tampa, Evan and Julia will be starting over in a certain sense, making new friends in their move to the north.

Second, we do have a series of needs for which we are fundraising. Those needs are outlined here in this image, exported from a recent presentation that we gave. If you or your church would be interested in helping to support us or one of these projects, we would – of course – love to speak with you about that!

Do you have any resources with regard to working with Muslims?

Yes! Here are a few that I would recommend:

The Bridges Course from Crescent Project – Good first step course to learning about Islam and working with Muslims.

In connection with this course, I would also recommend the booklets that are available from Crescent Project.

The Encountering Muslims Course is a more in-depth course that can be very helpful in taking next steps and understanding greater detail about Islam and reaching out to Muslims.

For a more general resource in understanding God’s mission and plan and our response, we recommend checking out the Perspectives course.

And finally, from a practical ministry perspective, come check out the Four Fields ministry training that we offer from the Search Party website!