The Greatest Gift to God

Missionary David Story shares his family's calling to serve the people of Italy, emphasizing the urgent need for evangelism in a country where spiritual darkness prevails. He recounts his journey from a pastoral role in Oklahoma to a mission-focused life, sparked by a transformative visit to Italy that revealed the deep spiritual void among its people, despite the historical presence of Catholicism. The Story family is committed to preaching the gospel, establishing local churches, and equipping believers through discipleship. As they embark on this mission, they seek support and prayers for their journey, highlighting the importance of outreach in regions with limited gospel presence. This episode explores their vision for revitalizing communities in Italy through the power of the gospel and invites listeners to consider how they can become involved in this vital work. David Story, a devoted missionary, shares his journey of faith and commitment to serving God as he and his family prepare to embark on a mission to Italy. From the outset, he introduces his family, highlighting their shared desire to serve the Lord together. His narrative unfolds with a reflection on his background, detailing his pastoral experience in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he spent over a decade mentoring others and teaching at Heartland Baptist Bible College. The turning point in his journey comes during a missions trip to Italy, where he witnesses the spiritual darkness pervading the nation, heavily influenced by Catholicism. He describes the burden that arises in his heart to reach the Italian people with the gospel, emphasizing the dire need for hope in a country steeped in tradition yet lacking in true faith. As he recounts his surrender to God’s will, Story articulates his mission: to evangelize, mentor, and establish local churches in Italy. This episode not only conveys the challenges faced in missionary work but also serves as a call to action for listeners to support this mission through prayer and financial contributions.

Takeaways:

1. Missionary David Story shares his family's commitment to serve in Italy, emphasizing their desire to share the gospel with the local population.
2. He recounts his journey from being a pastor in Oklahoma to feeling a divine call to evangelize in Italy, highlighting the spiritual darkness present there.
3. David emphasizes the importance of complete surrender to God's will, illustrating how this surrender has shaped their mission and personal lives.
4. The podcast discusses the need for prayer, support, and outreach in Italy, where he notes that very few provinces have gospel-preaching churches.
5. He underscores that spiritual transformation is crucial for the Italian people, who often remain indifferent to the Christian message despite their rich heritage.
6. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners, encouraging them to consider how they can support the mission work in Italy through various means.