Micheal, Nina, and Max serve as CEDE SPORTS country coordinators in Italy, particularly in Milan. They bring the wonderful news of salvation in Jesus to all people through means of Bible Study, preaching, events open to the community, and sports. Offering a welcoming environment, where people can feel included and discover God’s love for them, is fundamental to their ministry.
Two years ago, The Schaafsmas were part of a team that was formed with the leadership of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association International Field staff to plan an evangelistic event that would be called the “NOI Festival.” The festival would feature worship music and a gospel message from Franklin Graham.
Noi can mean “we” or “us.” The name is most fitting considering over 500 churches in Milan joined together for this event with the hope of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the 12,000 seat Mediolanum Forum. It started with contacting national church leaders and local pastors to hold training sessions in each church called Christian Life & Witness. The training equipped Christians to speak of the hope they have in Jesus Christ and many of those trained served as counselors at the Noi Festival. Micheal Schaafsma was able to carry the role as Coordinator of classes and found great encouragement in hearing stories of people talking to their friends about Jesus and praying for people to attend the Noi Festival.
The festival was initially scheduled for early 2021 but delayed due to Covid restrictions. The event finally took place in October 2022 and had an amazing turn out of over 13,200 people! So many prayers were prayed and answered at this incredible event. The Schaafsmas held different roles along with others in their church to help make the event successful. Max Schaafsma was responsible for getting tickets into the hands of every person and making sure everyone fit without leaving a single seat empty! Micheal S. was responsible for coordinating the counselors and the follow-up of all the people who made decisions at the event to follow Jesus. Nina Schaafsma worked to translate so much literature, communication and music for the event with her favorite being the Kid’s bookPO, “Jesus Loves Me!”
So many were blessed richly by the event and churches are still talking about it! We ask that you would pray for the many who gave their life to Jesus, that they would connect with other Christians, and they would continue to pursue Him with their lives.