When Christians bless each other

On June 21st, I preached my farewell sermon as the Founding Pastor of Hopera, the church I planted in Rome, Italy in 2012. At the end of the service, the congregation sang a benediction blessing our family.

Something profound happened at that moment. We were all in tears. God’s presence was palpable. It was one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had in my life.

During our pastoral succession process, benedictions often seemed to jump off the pages of my Bible. The “grace and peace” with which Paul addresses his congregations acquired a special resonance to me.

Some New Testament blessings, such as those in 1 Peter 5:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:58, became personal favorites.

But to be blessed by people we had led to faith and who had joined our church conveyed the life-giving power of this act with astonishing clarity. I was so touched that I couldn’t look people in the eye – just cry in gratitude for them and for God.

This experience reminded of how Frederick Buechner explained the potency of giving and receiving words of blessing. “In the biblical sense, if you give me your blessing, you irreversibly convey into my life not just something of the beneficent power and vitality of who you are, but something also of the life-giving power of God, in whose name the blessing is given.”

I will continue to support and serve Hopera as I focus on serving the wider church from now on, mentoring leaders, creating content, preaching, and serving various ministries.

But I still thank God for this occasion to give praise to him, honor everyone who has ever helped edify our congregation, and share 12 lessons our family has learned here (my wife and teenage sons shared their own reflections, too).

1. Do not despise the day of small beginnings (Zachariah 4:10)

2. Jesus transforms lives (Romans 1:16-17)

3. The church of Christ is beautiful (Psalm 122:1)

4. God loves Rome (Romans 1:7)

5. We go further together (1 Peter 2:5)

6. Pietro: Christians are called to live in community (2 Timothy 2:2)

7. Matteo: Serving others expands our horizons (1 Peter 4:10)

8. Sarah: Jesus saves and builds around Himself a family (Matthew 12:49-50)

9. Blessed are those who bless others (Luke 6:38)

10. We carry the treasure of the Gospel in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7)

11. As the Father has sent us, so he has sent you (John 20:21)

12. The future is as bright as the promises of God (Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 1:6)

May God continue to pour his favor on this beloved congregation and bless Hopera’s witness! “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7)