Report from “Ricky” William Shanks in Gainesville GA
4565 Persian Trail; Gainesville, GA 30507; Phones: 843-569-8729-Home; 843-725-9283-C

Website: AnswersFromTheBible.ORG - Dial A Bible Study: 770-835-4000 (Ext. 3 for Spanish.) Gainesville church (GCOC.org) meeting address is 2815 Wallace Rd. Gainesville GA 30507.

April 2023

The efforts to find seekers seem to be becoming more fruitful. Now there are 2 excited responses from the free ad paper. Melissa has now had 3 studies with Janice and I and she is more excited than ever. The forth study will be this week. The second contact was someone named Patrick, He had to cancel the 1st study due to work. But hopefully will squeeze in one this week. The both started with many questions texted to me.

Mario and Norma are doing well. Mario visited family in Chicago last week and taught and both his parents were baptized and his son also added to Christ. Praise God. There are many in his family so I’m sure there will be more to come. We are still nurturing them here locally and his sister with facetime in FL.

Tara has shown a worrisome behavior. Due to her severe PTSD from her family’s mistreatment, she has been very unstable. I thought she might make it but our enemy has influenced her away from further studies for the time being. We will keep trying but she really needs our prayers.

A contact named Sterling from UNG I’ve studied with a number of times at school agreed to bring his wife and 6 week old boy to our home for supper and long bible study last night. He is so hungry and that is looking good. Please pray for them, Sterling and Kelsie.

The efforts at UNG are ending with the school year on May 1. But I have about 100 that I can text study with and help them through the summer if they desire. There are new texting rules that the government is trying to implement and I am not sure where that is going. So I will keep you posted on how it may affect our efforts.

The flock is at peace and is doing well. Janice and I both teach classes. Janice the middle school ages and I teach adults who are new in Christ.

Thank you so much for your continued support and holding up our effort to find good and honest hearts here in north GA.

To God’s glory, Ricky

Stefano & Antonella Corazza                            

via Pio Rajna, 24

00124 Rome (Italy)

Phone: (+39) 328-3926689

Email: [email protected]

Bible Web Page: www.chiesadicristoroma.net

NEWS FROM ROME (Italy)

Rome, May 13, 2023

Dear brethren in the Lord,

my wife Antonella and I hope to find all of you doing fine in every blessing.  We’d like to express again all our deep thankfulness for all that you’re doing in our behalf, giving us the opportunity to preach the gospel also in Rome.  Our social and religious context make very difficult our preaching efforts but we’re striving in all we can to bring as many as possible to Bible conversion.  Without your trust and fellowship, this would be very difficult to realize.

PERSONAL NEWS.  We’re doing fine.  In a couple of days I would be turning 70 years old, and thank God for all His blessing along these years.  In the last 43 years I had the privilege to preach the gospel in different places of this Country and this gave a good sense to those years gone.

Our daughter Valeria and her family are also doing well.  Our three grandchildren (Alessandro 8 1/2 years, Alice 7, Samuele 3 1/2) are doing just fine, but growing too fast.  Though, we enjoyed observing their growth, and try to help daily Valeria with them as much as possible.

Our son Paolo is also doing fine.  He’s really busy in his flight assistant job at Milan for the Easyjet Aircraft Company.   Tourism here reached the numbers of before Covid, and even more and so the flight business is at its top.   We hope to see him soon, during his days off.

LOCAL PREACHING ACTIVITY.  Our local preaching efforts are going well.   We are working in realizing the initiatives decided together, especially toward the gospel meeting of October 7 and 8.  The topic probably will be “Simply Christians: it’s possible”. A sort of invitation to get out of denominationalism world and ideas. I already reserved advertising spots in several location of the city (major squares, avenues, quarters), covering the 30% of the total expense.

We’re also working on the children and young’s classes, realizing good and new material to get the necessary attention and involvement in the Bible studies.

We had another baptism. An old lady, Rosa, born in Rome but living from many years in Washington State, being American citizen.  Since some time, every year she comes back to Rome and attends to our meetings. Recently I studied with her trying to know more about her conversion and found out that she was baptized in a Baptist Church close to her home. So, we talked and talked about it, and finally she decided to get right before God, not being sure anymore about many things related to baptism’s teaching received.  It’s been a wonderful example of humbleness and love for Truth. We’re very happy for her.  If any of you know of good churches in that area, please, send me a note with addresses and people to contact.  In June or July Rosa should be going back to Washington and wants to find a sound congregation to attend.

I’m always deeply involved in my weekly personal Bible studies program with Maurizio, Michel, Luca, Clelia, Paoliana, Pierpaolo, Amedeo, and Grazia (the new baptized one).

Our brother Michel is now back to Rome and ready to be with us in doing the local work.  I have great expectative on him for the future of this work.

On Thursday evening, I finished the comments to 2nd Peter and started the teaching of 1^st John. On Sunday, after the worship, I’m still teaching from the book of Hebrews, an important starting point to understand the substantial differences between Old and New Testament.

Our general attendance runs around 45 (including those brethren that still join us from home through Zoom).

TEACHING PROGRAM

SERMONS PRESENTED IN ROME   

April 15, h. 10 AM: “Local Church: harmonious and functional body”

April 23, h. 10 AM: “Local Church: individual responsibilities”

April 30, h. 10 AM: “Local Church: trusting in N.T. pattern”

May 7, h. 10 AM: Preaching of brother Amedeo on “Jesus’ washing  of Apostles’ feet”

WEEKLY BIBLE CLASSES

With Maurizio > each Monday h. 2.30 PM: “Minor prophets”.

With Clelia > each Saturday h. 12 AM: “The gospel of Luke”.

With Luca > each Tuesday h. 7 PM: “Isaiah”

With Michel > each Friday h. 6 PM: “Work of the preacher”

With Grazia > each Wednesday h. 6 PM: “The gospel of Luke”

With Paoliana > each Thursday h. 6 PM: “Gospel of John”

With Pierpaolo > each Thursday h. 12 AM: “How we get the New Testament”

With Amedeo > each Monday h. 8.30 PM: “Old Testament Survey”

Thanks again for your patient fellowship in this work.  All the brethren in Rome salute you and send their best love and greetings.

Antonella, Valeria and Paolo send their good wishes.  God may continue to bless us in His Kingdom.

Be safe and stay well in Him.

“They of Italy salute you”.

Stefano Corazza

www.chiesadicristoroma.net

THE NEWSLETTER FROM THE NESTOR F. SANCHEZ’S DESK

[email protected]       [email protected]

                                                                 March 6, 2023

Dear Brethren in College Station church of Christ.

Here I send you the information about the Lord’s work on this side of the world. 

MY WORK HERE IN PAN DE AZUCAR, COQUIMBO, CHILE: I continue sharing the gospel with our neighborhood. We meet here some time 25 or more people on Sundays. 

We have four visitors: Amparo Morales 18 years old, Sarai Morales (10) Rita Pizarro (59), Bastian Riquelme (12),  

This year, I have begun to present one bible study of the Revelations book. Just at this moment, we are in chapter two. These studies are presented on Thursdays and Sundays. Here I include a Photo of the church of Christ in Pan De Azucar, Coquimbo, Chile.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Also, I continue with the program of work to send by WhatsApp ten biblical questions to the brethren of the church here in Pan de Azucar. They answer and then send these to my personal WhatsApp, then I qualify their responses. This work is done during the weekdays in their own houses.

From here, I have several preaching on the Internet with people from different places like Argentina, Perú, Colombia, México, Ecuador, Portugal, Cuba; Guatemala; Nicaragua, and Chile. As a consequence of this work, several people have known the Lord’s word and have decided to obey the commandment of baptism in other countries.

BIBLE STUDY WITH BRETHREN IN ARGENTINA:

On Monday and Tuesday, I have bible study with some brethren in Mendoza and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Right now, we are studying the First Peter Book. Right now, we are in chapter four and verse 16.

In the last month, I received some invitations to preach on different platforms of other churches of Christ. These invitations have been on weekdays and Sundays. In the last month, I have preached on the platform of the Church of Christ in La Florida, Santiago de Chile (in two opportunities), Barrio San Antonio in Bogotá, Colombia in one opportunity, and Cali in Colombia one time, Also I have been invited one time to preach in the church of Christ in Ambato, Ecuador in one opportunity.

On the other hand, I receive petitions from some people that need that I send Biblical studies to present personal lessons to other people, 

As you can see, I do not have one day free, but I am pleased because this is the best of the best work in the world. I am working for my Lord and God, Jesus Christ.

BIBLE STUDIES WITH BRETHREN IN VENEZUELA:

On my platforms, Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube, Google Meet, every Sunday, I transmit one bible study that preaches to brother Mario Arellano, from Caracas. These studies go out at four O’clock p. m. In the beginning, only six people were in the study, but now this number has grown, and in the last Sundays, sometimes we have had up 28 people. Mario Arellano is a preacher in Palo Verde, in Caracas, Venezuela. In these studies, we meet brethren from different countries such as England, México, Chile, Venezuela, Panamá, Nicaragua, Argentina, Perú, and other countries.

Romans 10:15; says: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”

I CONTINUE WORKING ON MY PLATFORMS OF ZOOM, YOUTUBE, AND FACEBOOK:

I have twenty-eight months of working with my platform, “¿What does the divine answer say?” Romans 11:4). Also, I have a Facebook and a YouTube channel. On these platforms, I have more than one hundred and fifty videos with different preachers that I invite to present themes of the bible. On these platforms, I have hundreds of followers that like Biblical themes.

By messenger, I have more than seven hundred people to whom I send videos of the Lord’s things daily. Many of them share these videos with other contacts. Many people in Cuba have benefited from this system to receive biblical teaching through these videos.

Every day I receive petitions and consult on Biblical themes on my computer or telephone by WhatsApp, e-mail, or messenger. I dedicate time to answer all these questions and maintaining the contacts.

I WILL PREACH IN PERU, ARGENTINA, AND SOME CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN CHILE:

If God wills, I will preach in Lima and Tacna, Peru, and Mendoza, San Luis, Buenos Aires, Argentina; and I will preach in Arica and Iquique, Chile. This trip will be from April 10 through May 3. 

PLAN OF TRIPS FOR THE NEXT YEAR, 2023:

If God’s will, in the year 2023, I will travel to different countries to carry God’s message. I have several invitations to visit: Lima and Tacna– Perú (April), Panamá (May), Cuba (July), the United States of America (October), and Colombia again (December)), besides continuing with the work here in Chile, too.

Well, brethren, I hope this information encourages you to continue working with me in the Lord’s things this year, 2023.

Please, maintain this work and your server in your prayers. Don’t forget that you also have an excellent part in this work.

Sincerely in Him.

Nestor F. Sanchez  

THE NEWSLETTER FROM THE NESTOR F. SANCHEZ’S DESK

[email protected]       [email protected]

                                                                 March 6, 2023

Dear Brethren in College Station church of Christ.

Here I send you the information about the Lord’s work on this side of the world. 

MY WORK HERE IN PAN DE AZUCAR, COQUIMBO, CHILE: I continue sharing the gospel with our neighborhood. We meet here some time 25 or more people on Sundays. 

We have four visitors: Amparo Morales 18 years old, Sarai Morales (10) Rita Pizarro (59), Bastian Riquelme (12),  

This year, I have begun to present one bible study of the Revelations book. Just at this moment, we are in chapter two. These studies are presented on Thursdays and Sundays. Here I include a Photo of the church of Christ in Pan De Azucar, Coquimbo, Chile.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Also, I continue with the program of work to send by WhatsApp ten biblical questions to the brethren of the church here in Pan de Azucar. They answer and then send these to my personal WhatsApp, then I qualify their responses. This work is done during the weekdays in their own houses.

From here, I have several preaching on the Internet with people from different places like Argentina, Perú, Colombia, México, Ecuador, Portugal, Cuba; Guatemala; Nicaragua, and Chile. As a consequence of this work, several people have known the Lord’s word and have decided to obey the commandment of baptism in other countries.

BIBLE STUDY WITH BRETHREN IN ARGENTINA:

On Monday and Tuesday, I have bible study with some brethren in Mendoza and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Right now, we are studying the First Peter Book. Right now, we are in chapter four and verse 16.

In the last month, I received some invitations to preach on different platforms of other churches of Christ. These invitations have been on weekdays and Sundays. In the last month, I have preached on the platform of the Church of Christ in La Florida, Santiago de Chile (in two opportunities), Barrio San Antonio in Bogotá, Colombia in one opportunity, and Cali in Colombia one time, Also I have been invited one time to preach in the church of Christ in Ambato, Ecuador in one opportunity.

On the other hand, I receive petitions from some people that need that I send Biblical studies to present personal lessons to other people, 

As you can see, I do not have one day free, but I am pleased because this is the best of the best work in the world. I am working for my Lord and God, Jesus Christ.

BIBLE STUDIES WITH BRETHREN IN VENEZUELA:

On my platforms, Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube, Google Meet, every Sunday, I transmit one bible study that preaches to brother Mario Arellano, from Caracas. These studies go out at four O’clock p. m. In the beginning, only six people were in the study, but now this number has grown, and in the last Sundays, sometimes we have had up 28 people. Mario Arellano is a preacher in Palo Verde, in Caracas, Venezuela. In these studies, we meet brethren from different countries such as England, México, Chile, Venezuela, Panamá, Nicaragua, Argentina, Perú, and other countries.

Romans 10:15; says: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”

I CONTINUE WORKING ON MY PLATFORMS OF ZOOM, YOUTUBE, AND FACEBOOK:

I have twenty-eight months of working with my platform, “¿What does the divine answer say?” Romans 11:4). Also, I have a Facebook and a YouTube channel. On these platforms, I have more than one hundred and fifty videos with different preachers that I invite to present themes of the bible. On these platforms, I have hundreds of followers that like Biblical themes.

By messenger, I have more than seven hundred people to whom I send videos of the Lord’s things daily. Many of them share these videos with other contacts. Many people in Cuba have benefited from this system to receive biblical teaching through these videos.

Every day I receive petitions and consult on Biblical themes on my computer or telephone by WhatsApp, e-mail, or messenger. I dedicate time to answer all these questions and maintaining the contacts.

I WILL PREACH IN PERU, ARGENTINA, AND SOME CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN CHILE:

If God wills, I will preach in Lima and Tacna, Peru, and Mendoza, San Luis, Buenos Aires, Argentina; and I will preach in Arica and Iquique, Chile. This trip will be from April 10 through May 3. 

PLAN OF TRIPS FOR THE NEXT YEAR, 2023:

If God’s will, in the year 2023, I will travel to different countries to carry God’s message. I have several invitations to visit: Lima and Tacna– Perú (April), Panamá (May), Cuba (July), the United States of America (October), and Colombia again (December)), besides continuing with the work here in Chile, too.

Well, brethren, I hope this information encourages you to continue working with me in the Lord’s things this year, 2023.

Please, maintain this work and your server in your prayers. Don’t forget that you also have an excellent part in this work.

Sincerely in Him.

Nestor F. Sanchez  

Report from “Ricky” William Shanks in Gainesville GA
4565 Persian Trail; Gainesville, GA 30507; Phones: 843-569-8729-Home; 843-725-9283-C

Website: AnswersFromTheBible.ORG - Dial A Bible Study: 770-835-4000 (Ext. 3 for Spanish.) Gainesville church (GCOC.org) meeting address is 2815 Wallace Rd. Gainesville GA 30507.

February 2023

It is amazing what can change from month to month. February has been a month of rejoicing to God’s glory. We had a Bible student (Tara) who enrolled in Bible course a second time after a year without sending it back to us. We reached out to her and she said she would be willing to meet with Janice and I, which she wanted the same day. She is hungry to serve God. Coming from a very abusive upbringing, she was eager to hear of the correct way to serve Christ and quickly after two studies put on Christ. She is quick to memorize verses she needs the most to overcome her past.

Another (Mario) has a big family of which some of them had become saints in FL. He visited with us about two years ago. We studied with them a few times but never obeyed the Lord. It seemed sports and family came first in his schedule. Studies soon fizzled. In Feb. Mario renewed his interest in Bible study. After having an uninterrupted one on one study with him about priorities in putting God above all else, he obeyed our Lord and committed life to serving Christ being baptized immediately. With his zeal
he started to set up video studies with his family all over

Tara

Mario

the US. I study with them on a weekly basis. His wife scheduled a study with us and
now we rejoice again because today Norma was also added to Christ. Hopefully
more of his family will follow Christ soon. All of these new in Christ have a long
road ahead of them for different reasons but we are following up with several nurturing efforts by us and the local saints. Such rejoicing going on in heaven and on earth over these three being raise to walk in newness of life.

The weather has finally cooperated which allowed setting up at UNG on February 28th , the first opportunity to return. It ended up with 5 different studies over a 6 hour period and a good case of sunburn on one side of my face. It’s ok to smile. I don’t know how some of these young people are going to turn out but some are really growing over time. The two that seem most sincere are very active in their denominational group they are in. I try to keep in mind my role in this is to let God lead them through His word and for me to stay out of His way. Thus I try to make certain to address where they might need to change as God would have them to and help them realize the ways of darkness that have distracted “churches” from the narrow way Christ has given us.

We rejoice in these opportunities to help seekers find the way to serve our Lord in truth. Please keep us and them in prayer to our God. We pray that He may place even more who seek Him before us that His word may be heard by other seekers. Thank you for making this possible. May He give you much fruit from our labor and fellowship together.

Sincerely to God’s glory, Ricky

Norma

Stefano & Antonella Corazza                            

via Pio Rajna, 24

00124 Rome (Italy)

Phone: (+39) 328-3926689

Email: [email protected]

Bible Web Page: www.chiesadicristoroma.net

NEWS FROM ROME (Italy)

Rome, November 9, 2022

Dear brothers in Him,

my wife Antonella and I hope to find all of you in good health and enjoying the wonderful God’s blessings.  We would like once again to share with you all our sincere feeling of thankfulness for the opportunity given us to preach the gospel also in a city as Rome, the actual and evident expression of modern paganism masked by “Christianity”.  Despise all this, we’re trying to do our best in reaching as many as possible to the Lord, announcing His Truth in all boldness and honesty.  Your support and patient fellowship are making those efforts possible.

PERSONAL NEWS.   I’ll try to update you about my recent heart test.  Monday November 7^th, I went into hospital to have a coronographic check, as I wrote you in the October report.  Some values in my blood tests evidenced a couple of obstruction in two arteries, so I had a TAC to the heart which confirmed the diagnosis.  However, the coronographic test set the problem at 30%, and not at 60% according to the TAC.  So, the doctor did not set any stent or else: according to the test I’m fine; I only must take my cholesterol level down to solve the problem, or at least to contain it.  After a night in the hospital, I went back home, ready to catch back my normal life and activities.

The COVID situation in our Country is still creating some problems and worries but in general everything seems to be going OK.  Nobody talks about pandemic times anymore.  However, we are still trying to use the necessary safety rules.

Our daughter Valeria and her family are doing fine.  Our grandchildren (Alessandro 8 years, Alice 6, Samuele 3) are doing fine. They are busy with their academic and sport activities. They are a true joy for my wife and I.

Our son Paolo is also doing well with his new job location in Milan. He also is really busy with EasyJet flights but in a couple of weeks he will have some days off from work so he will come down to spend some days in Rome.

LOCAL PREACHING ACTIVITY.  Our local preaching activity is keeping on fine.  We’re busy to realize our teaching and preaching programs, and all is going according to our plans. We still have some brethren that, due to age, physical problems, or personal choices, are following our services and studies through Zoom. We hope to be soon all together again, to personally live our spiritual fellowship.

I’m still working each week on my personal Bible studies program with Gianluca, Maurizio, Michel, Luca, Clelia, Paoliana. I just started to study also with Pierpaolo Papini, a new member of our congregation.  I think that is an important work in preparing young generations to stand for Truth.

We have new visitors and members, joining us.  Amedeo Fiorilli become member among us.  Grazia, Gionathan (a young son of our member Jaqueline) and his girlfriend Helena (from Colombia) are attending to our Sunday worship showing with great attention. I should soon start a personally weekly study with all three of them.

For work reasons, one of our young ones, Michel, was moved temporarily (at least one month, but maybe three) to Lion, France. He’s trying to follow us through Zoom.

I’m also trying to organize the children’s Bible classes, training the young members to be involved in the regular teaching, under my wife’s supervision. In different ages, we have 9 young ones to distribute in different class age.

On Thursday evening, I am still teaching the James letter, while on Sunday, after worship, I’m still commenting the gospel of Mark; at the end of it, I’ll start teaching from the book of Hebrews.

Our general attendance is around 42 (including those brethren that join us from home through Zoom).

From Nov. 13 to 20^th, we will have the joy to see again David Thomley, a close friend of our work. He will preach for us Thursday evening and Sunday.  I’m really glad to share again with him our common fellowship in the preaching.

TEACHING PROGRAM

SERMONS PRESENTED IN ROME   

October 9, h. 10 AM: “Death and Life (2 Corinthians 4:1-15)”

October 16, h. 10 AM: “The rich fool (Luke 12:13-21)”

October 23, h. 10 AM: “Psalm 115: spirituality on earth”

October 30, h. 10 AM: “Taking the right decisions (John 6:67-68)”

VISITORS FROM OTHER CHURCHES.  We had the joy to meet some brethren coming from US churches, and a couple from Chile.  Loren & Suzanne Parker (Blain, WA); Kurt & Nancy Lindsay (Tucson, AZ); Damaris Rojas Vengara & Hno Cesar Morales (Puente Alto, CHILE).  We thank those brethren for their encouraging visit.

Thanks again for your trust and patient fellowship in this work.  All the brethren in Rome salute you and send their best love and greetings.

Antonella, Valeria and Paolo send their good wishes.  God may continue to bless us in His Kingdom.  Be safe and stay well in Him.

“They of Italy salute you”.

Stefano Corazza

www.chiesadicristoroma.net