What is the present state of the work?

Approximately one hundred students in nine university communities comprise the Italian GBU. There is just 1 full-time staff worker and 1 part time as well as several volunteers. Most GBU groups have weekly meetings for Bible study and also some form of outreach. Several groups have been initiated by Italian Christian students transferring to other universities or by international students enrolled for a year or more in an Italian university. A National Student Committee was recently begun, seeking to develop a national identity for the GBU movement as well as the future direction and development of university ministry. Training in evangelism and apologetics is being offered through national conferences, recent publications, and lecture tours by university apologists. A series of seminars for discipleship training is being planned for immediate presentation. Recent IFES Summer Teams have focused on evangelism among international students and high school students. The GBU has sponsored four mission teams to Albania, working alongside Albanian Christians in university evangelism and presenting resources for discipleship of new believers. Currently we have 2 IFES InterAction Teams - in Milan (pioneering work) and Perugia (also supporting work in Siena). InterAction Team members have a wide range of possibilities for significant ministry even in the sometimes difficult circumstances found in Italy.

What do the Teams do?

Team members minister among both international and Italian students, contacting new students through friendship evangelism. The gospel is shared through evangelistic book tables and Bible discussions, guest lectures on spiritual themes of relevance in particular faculties, social activities, and concerts. Discipleship of believing students is accomplished through gatherings for Bible study, prayer, and worship, as well as retreats and other special events. Sometimes team members are involved in establishing new GBU groups in student communities without other Christian witness.

What special requirements are there for joining these Teams?

Visa: A visa is required for non-European Union citizens, and application for a student or a missionary visa should be made 4-6 months ahead at the Italian Embassy or Consulate. The Team Leader will advise individually.

Language: Team members should be willing to learn basic Italian and further knowledge is highly recommended, as much of the work is in Italian. However, it is possible to be used by the Lord with limited Italian ability.

TEFL: A TEFL qualification is useful.

Character: Christian and social maturity are necessary, as well as flexibility, patience, and perseverance. This is due not only to the cross-cultural nature of the work, but also to the spiritual apathy and resistance typically encountered in Italy. A sense of humour is also a good survival tool.

What about accommodation, living costs, courses, jobs?

Normally team members rent a room in a student flat, at a cost of around €300 per month, with three months' rent often payable in advance. The Team Leader can arrange short-term temporary accommodation while team members look for permanent accommodation. Living costs per month are around €600, including accommodation (€300), travel (€60), food, living and ministry costs (€300). There is in addition the cost of travel to and from the home country. Team members have often done Italian courses part-time. Costs vary according to the number of hours studied per week, but €200 per month is the minimum. Erasmus students will find it a fairly heavy

load being on a team as well as studying. For those coming from EU member countries and needing to work, tutoring or teaching English is a possibility whether privately or through a school, although the work load and income can be inconsistent. Other possibilities are house cleaning, child care, sales, or clerical work in a bilingual setting. For those from non EU countries, work is restricted to private tutoring, child care, or housecleaning positions.