Mark is not only a talented building contractor, but has a huge heart for God. He loves to share Jesus: with anyone and everyone who will listen! And his passion to share the Hope of Jesus will soon manifest on an even larger scale, when this Spring Mark and his family move to Catania, Sicily!!
This isn't the first time Mark, his wife Kathy, and their three children Grant, Alex and Nia have accepted the assignment of Matthew 28:19 to go and make disciples of all nations. The Lipics have lived a life of ministry to international students at ISU for several years. They have hosted Bible Study groups in their home, which can often turn into world religion debates with students. They share their family holidays with internationals and have even traveled overseas on a number of occasions to spend time with international students and their families.
Mark and Kathy will have the opportunity to minister to the nations in one place as they reach out to multi-nationals in refugee camps in Catania, as well as in a CARA in Mineo: an hour's drive from Catania, Sicily.
Catania is the second largest city of Sicily. Strategically located on the east coast facing the Ionian Sea, it has become one of the main entry points for refugees crossing into Europe. Those who make it safely across the Sahara desert, then often choose to make a harrowing Mediterranean Sea crossing. They cram together on over-crowded boats piloted by inexperienced sailors; many of them traffickers charging exorbitant prices for the risky venture.
According to the law, asylum-seekers can be held in this Accomodation Centre for Asylum Seekers (CARA) for 35 days: but the average stay at this Mineo location is a year. Because the refugees are away from their home countries under extreme situations, and are often separated from their families; their hearts are open to the Gospel now more than ever.
Our friend Amy told me a while back, "You guys need to meet the Lipics. They adopted their daughter from South Korea, and they're going to minister to refugees!" That's all it took to connect us with Mark and Kathy. Luke and I recently enjoyed a lovely meal with the Lipics at our favorite resturant, "Epiphany Farms" in downtown Bloomington.According to the law, asylum-seekers can be held in this Accomodation Centre for Asylum Seekers (CARA) for 35 days: but the average stay at this Mineo location is a year. Because the refugees are away from their home countries under extreme situations, and are often separated from their families; their hearts are open to the Gospel now more than ever.
It was great to hear their story of how God led them to this point of selling their home and closing out Lipic Builders, Inc. We hit it off right away! You know the kind of sweet fellowship you share with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Even if you've never met before; there's a unique oneness in Christ. (We talked for nearly 5 hours, people!) It was a blessed time of encouragement and prayer for both our families and the work God has called each of us to live out.
Over delicious farm-to-table delicacies, Kathy admitted that for a while, they didn't see themselves going overseas. Oh, they have always been involved in missions; taking the Perspectives course, Kairos, and Jonathan Training.
The TOAG training they completed at Eastview Church was an intense course that even required their family to withdraw from regular church attendance for several months. This was so they could do home-church and feed themselves and their family the Word; the reality being that missionaries often don't have the luxury of attending large-gathering churches where they are Spiritually fed by a pastor or church leader.
Kathy said, "We always took these trainings and attended conferences so we could be good senders." Now God has called them to be one of those being "sent". And the need is great. The Lipic family shares the following video to those interested in learning more about what has become the greatest human migration crisis in history.
It was a gradual progression to this point. Kathy traveled to Italy with Team Expansion in May of 2016 where she helped with a kids program for the missionary children and met families who are serving all over the world. This was the beginning of the Lipic's relationship with Team Expansion.
Mark and Kathy felt led to be a part of Kairos training course the Summer of 2016, where they learned about the need for workers in Catania with refugees. By that point, God had already began stirring their hearts toward missions. Mark & Kathy began intently praying about pursuing overseas long-term missions.
They both took a vision trip to Sicily in January of 2017 and met many of the missionary families they will be working with. Mark will be overseeing discipleship and evangelism; going out to the refugee camps and seeking those who would like to begin relationships with the team families. Kathy is excited to host internationals once again for meals; to listen to their stories and share the Hope of Christ with them.
Team Expansion has a strategic vision to reach the nations within refugee camps.
From the Lipic's ministry newsletter:
"The Bible speaks of a great multitude that no one could number, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and the Lamb (Revelation 7:9). As we search for and find persons of peace within the refugee camps, we will invest deeply in them; train and disciple them, and equip them to go into the camps to share with and disciple others like them. Utilizing church planting and disciple-making movement practices, we will train disciples to make disciples. Many nations are present in this refugee situation and for this reason we find Catania Sicily to be a strategic location for Kingdom work."
As time goes on these disciples will be placed throughout the world to help reach others for Christ!
"Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest." - John 4:35
If God is leading you to invest in reaching refugees with the Hope of the Gospel, please consider giving financially toward this Kingdom purpose!!
Credit card donations:
1. Go to: teamexpansion.org/thelipics/
2. Click the "Give Online" link
3. Enter a "Contribution Amount"
4. Please check the box if you'd like to give every month.
5. You will recieve a confirmation email with a tax deductible receipt.
Mail checks:
1. Please make checks payable to "Team Expansion"
2. Write a memo or attach note "Mark & Kathy Lipic Account #1005" & send with check
3. Mail check/memo to:
Team Expansion
C/O Theresa Berry
4112 Old Routt Rd.
Louisville, KY 40299
"Prayer is the engine that makes it all run," Mark says. He and Kathy know that this mission is not possible without the prayers and financial support of many partners in ministry! They thank you for joining with them in proclaiming His Name and His Word to the refugees in Catania!
They can be reached at lipicbunch5@gmail.com.
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