Open doors for art

Jessica has been working with OM in Rome since 2018 as a missions worker-artist. She shared the story of her journey with OM's arts ministry.

“When we moved to Rome, we felt that God had given us the desire to have a space for study; a place where I could create, where interns and volunteers could come, workshops could be held, exhibitions organised and much more. My husband Bryan and I saw several spaces, but there was nothing going well. We never had peace.

"So we took the time to settle down, get in touch with the artists around us and start building a community of artists. We set up exhibitions in churches and public spaces. The workshops were held in cafes and community centres. The Lord opened so many doors and opportunities for us to work with other churches and nonprofits."

Art opens doors

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jessica started online workshops that led her to mentor other artists such as Laura and Ruthie.

Jessica said, "Laura shared her path of being creative and how the fact that her son had a heart operation influenced her creativity. This was a great blessing to her and her inner healing journey. She also blessed many other people in different churches with which she could share her path. She says that art opens the doors to talk about the gospel.

"Ruthie is another great woman I’m a mentor for. Ruthie is a visual artist who loves the Lord and has found a way to earn a living with her art, putting her at the service of God. She was invited to a conference for women, where she will be able to exhibit her work in a stall. His works are distinguished by a sweet and delicate beauty, often enriched by biblical verses.

“I’m so proud of these artists! They are Italian women who support the church and try to reach Italians with the gospel through their gifts. They opened up with me to learn, grow and encourage the church in Italy to experiment with new things. It’s a fantastic path!”

An answer to prayer

During this period, Jessica was still looking for a study space, but there was nothing available. Then, in 2023, she received a phone call from Agape, a centre for immigrants and refugees. They, too, were looking for a space and had found something that could be good for both of them.

"I went to see it," Jessica said. "The office is next to the centre they wanted to rent, but the owner was willing to make a deal if we rented them both. I remember coming into this office, the walls were bright pink with glitter and the door was all broken, but something inside me said, 'Oh, I think this might be the right place.' Long story short, we said yes.

"I was stunned. We are in the centre of Rome, our rent has an incredible price, literally only God could do this. Even the locals are shocked when I tell them the price of rent. We can see things happening when we wait for the Lord, when we choose to be present in what He has put right before us. He does not hold us back, but gives us plenty.

"Maybe it's not always the abundance we're waiting for. I think God has fun too — the bright pink walls make me laugh, and the wires all over the place and the fact that this space was used as a stable for the horses of Rome many years ago. I mean, come on, it's fun. Now this space has come back to life, but now for the Kingdom of God."

God's abundant blessings

Jessica admitted that at times, while they were waiting for this space, she was frustrated with God. She said, "We think, why have His times not been our times? We even wonder if He is listening to us and our requests. But then comes the moment when the Lord says to us, 'Okay, the time is now,' and we find ourselves wondering how we are going to do this thing that we now have. It's an interesting paradox. When we want, but we don't get it, we feel frustrated. When it arrives, we wonder how to handle it.

"A few weeks later, I found myself thinking, 'Am I ready for the abundance of the Lord?' I had forgotten how much work is behind the renovation of a space. Choose paint, floors, what kind of lights to use, how to solve water problems and all the countless phone calls with the contractor. For me, it is a completely new Italian vocabulary to learn. Language learning never ends.

"The other night I came home and said to Bryan, 'I'm not sure I'm ready for God's abundance, but it's arrived.' Bryan and I are excited about this space. It's coming really well. When I enter this space, I think it doesn’t even look like the same as the first day I walked in.”

Jessica lives in Rome with her husband Bryan and their two children. Jessica serves with OM in the ministry of art in Rome. You can follow her on Instagram @jessaruppart