Chris & Heidi Ness
Chris and Heidi Ness have served as missionaries since 1999—first in Africa and since 2019, in Messina, Sicily, Italy.
Messina is home to thousands of international students from 30 different countries, many of whom have limited or no access to the gospel. Seeing this unique opportunity, the Nesses began hosting an English Bible study in their apartment. This quickly revealed a dual need: to reach students from unreached nations and to disciple Christian students seeking fellowship in English.
In April 2023, The Gathering was launched—an international student ministry where, on any given Saturday, students from up to ten different nations come together. Throughout the week, Chris and Heidi continue to build relationships through small groups and one-on-one discipleship, through a vibrant Ethiopian fellowship and a weekly bible study with Iranian students. Chris and Heidi also organize cultural events that foster curiosity, community, and opportunities to share the gospel with students from around the world, especially from unreached nations.
