OUR STORY
The International Christian Church Rome had its humble beginnings when people and families of various nationalities in Rome, including Italians, gathered with the shared goal of establishing a transparent, Bible-based church. On October 18, 2015, the church community first came together informally in a local hotel. By God’s grace, the church was officially registered the following month, and believers continued to meet in a hotel conference hall. As more individuals joined the church, God guided the Pastors to the place He had prepared as a permanent house of worship.
At ICCR, we cherish the way cultural and ethnic differences fade away when people from all corners of the world unite as brothers and sisters in God’s family. Our diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, when brought together, become a unique resource that we leverage to spread the message of God and demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to the community.
Lead Pastors
Lawrence and Asangika Ihekweme
“We believe what the Scriptures says applies to ICCR — what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived, the things God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9
Lawrence and Asangika Ihekweme
Lawrence and Asangika are the lead pastors of the International Christian Church of Rome (ICCR). Lawrence is from Nigeria and Asangika is from Sri Lanka. They have three girls and one boy: Rachel, Shelomi, Faith, and Joshua.
Lawrence and Asangika studied at Global University. They received the calling of God after arriving in Rome, Italy. They served under the Assemblies of God Mission pastors for 15 years. According to the leading of God, October 18th, 2015 they were sent out to plant ICCR. Their hearts’ cry and passion are to see a great awakening of the Holy Spirit in the city of Rome that would spread to the whole of Europe. Their desire is to impact the kingdom of God and train and equip disciples for Christ.
Lawrence is a man of vision. Lawrence has a compassionate heart for the lost; he boldly shares about Christ wherever he goes. Not only does he preach the Word, but he strongly believes that we need to show compassion with our actions. He preaches the message that Jesus came to this earth to free people from captivity, and we need to live that freedom on the earth. As he ministers, people receive freedom from captivity and walk free to serve God. Lawrence had the opportunity to travel to various countries to preach the gospel. He believes that the time has come for the children of God to preach and demonstrate God’s power with supernatural signs and wonders.
Asangika is a woman of prayer. She believes prayer is the key to revival. Her son Joshua is an amazing miracle testimony of God and God is still answering prayer. Asangika believes in the power of the blood and that Jesus at the cross brought healing to our souls. So, she loves to see men and women who were wounded rise up from the broken place and be restored, healed, whole, and shining for Jesus. She mentors people to grow in their potential and fulfill the purpose God has for them. She preaches and teaches the Word and she loves to see the Holy Spirit move, demonstrate, and prove His word.
Elders
We thank God for the support of our elders, pastors and ministers.
Without them, there won’t be ICCRome.
Azmat Ullah Sohi
Azmat is married to Esther. He is from Pakistan and she is from the Philippines. Azmat is the elder overseeing the men’s ministry.
Isabel Deboch Abeba
Isabel is from Ethiopia. She oversees the Translation ministry and is part of the finance team.
Terrie Lynne Jermey
Terrie is from UK. She is an intercessor to ICCR.
Emilia Sampang Rivera
Emilia is from the Philippines. She oversees the Ushers and Greeters’ Ministry and is a part of the finance team.
Fabio Ciccone
Fabio is married to Ewa. He is from Italy and she is from Poland.
He oversees the Worship Ministry and oversees the Couple’s Ministry with his wife.
Pastors
Pastor
Romulo and Melinda Gayo
Oversees Hospitality Ministry
Romulo and Melinda are from the Philippines. They graduated from Global University Berean School of the Bible.
Romulo is the pastor overseeing the men’s ministry and is a teacher of the discipleship class.
Melinda oversees the discipleship ministry, women’s ministry and is a talented teacher.
They both oversee the Ministry of Hospitality.
Pastor
Jovette Dapapa
Jovette is married to Rolando and they are from the Philippines. She graduated from Global University Berean School of the Bible.
Jovette oversees the Worship, Follow-up, Outreach Ministry, and Altar workers ministry.
Ministers In Training
From left to right: Dhang Malitig, Anne Gathoni Njagi, Kasun Fernando.
- Dhang is from the Philippines. She is a part of the finance team and is a teacher in the discipleship ministry.
- Anne is married to Samuel and they are from Kenya. Anne is the leader of the follow-up ministry, and is a teacher in the discipleship ministry.
- Kasun is married to Melani and they are both from Sri Lanka. He helps in worship ministry, and teaches in the discipleship class. Both Kasun and Melani help with the youth & young and adults ministry.
Who We Are
Statement Of Purpose
International Christian Church Rome believes that, according to the New Testament, the church is composed of all who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and have surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
We, the leaders and members of ICCR, commit ourselves to unity, peace, and love, with the desire to express our faith in the one true God, fully submitting to the Lord Jesus Christ. We preach the Gospel of Christ to all, come together for worship, and organize ourselves for ministry. We believe in the priesthood of all believers, understanding that all followers of Christ are His ministers.
Statement Of Faith
We believe:
- That the Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative written Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16).
- That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 9:10-11, John 17:3, Matthew 12:31-32).
- In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal future return to this Earth in power and glory (Luke 1:31, 35, John 1:1-4, 14, Hebrews 7:24-26, Acts 2:22, Matthew 28:6).
- That salvation from the guilt and penalty of sin comes by grace through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:23-24, Romans 8:11).
- That he who puts his faith in Christ is regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5, Ezekiel 36:25).
- In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life (Romans 15:16, Hebrews 13:12).
- That the baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, empowers the believer for service (Acts 1:8).
- In supernatural divine healing through faith in Jesus Christ (James 5:14-16, Matthew 9:35, Isaiah 53:4-5).
- In the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting damnation (Matthew 5:29-30, Matthew 10:28, Mark 9:43-47, John 5:28-29, Revelation 20:12-15).