Erika Elia is a teacher and missionary in Italy.
When did you trust Christ?
I was raised going to church, though, in my family, only my mum and her parents attended church. After some years, my mum stopped going to church, but during that time, my grandad never let one day pass without talking with me about God. When I was a teenager, my mum and I returned to church, and after some time, I felt I had to declare to God and to all that I belonged to Him and I wanted to serve Him.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
God has taught me much through my relationships with others. Early on, my grandad showed me dedication and passion for the lost. Later, as a teenager, when my dad passed away, God comforted me in such a sweet and clear way that from then on, I knew I could trust Him forever. Forgiveness has been another important thing God has taught me, especially in my relationship with my mum. Through it all and my own deep sorrows, I have learned to use my experiences to help others.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
My local church needs a new vision for missions, and I believe that learning from others' experiences at the Forum will allow me to find new strategies and a new passion for the lost to bring back to my home church.
What is your ministry?
At the moment, I am part of a team that trains the leaders of different initiatives in our church. I also take care of the families in church that, for various reasons, are not integrated into the life of the church. Outside my local church, I am, together with my family, involved in mission work, especially in Bosnia.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I was involved in my church's Sunday school ministry and led the youth group with my husband.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
I have a passion for people, and I love to see what Jesus does in other people’s lives. My family and I love missionary work, and I think we can help our local church find a new focus in missions. To do this, however, I need training and tools to craft a new vision and take the right steps to implement it.
