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Samuel McIntyre

I can’t believe how generous Jesus has been to me! I became a follower of Jesus early at school in Australia – he transformed me and took away my big reasons to fear eternity and death.

After wrestling through big questions while studying philosophy and law, Jesus still persuades me that he is good and trustworthy – the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords – so now I want to worship him and share his huge love.

My Nonna lived across the road growing up (she is one of my closest friends). When I finished university in 2024 I wanted to come to Italy where she grew up to learn more from the GBU staff Simon and Jess Cowell and their kids about what it means to follow Him.

I Praise God daily for how he has provided for me to do this through generous Australians. I’m a bit clumsy, so have had to learn to laugh. I love chatting about philosophy and science! I’m still learning to love sundried tomatoes.

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Zach Taylor

Hi! I’m Zach and I’m from Leeds, England. I was very blessed to grow up in a Christian family and started following Jesus for myself at around twelve years old.

Before coming to Rome in September 2024, I studied History of Art at the University of Birmingham. During that time, I was very involved in the Christian Union (the equivalent of GBU in the UK) and through the support and training of
older Christians, God helped me grow in my love for Him and my confidence in sharing the gospel.

I graduated in 2023 and spent the last year as a Relay worker with UCCF, helping students in Birmingham to share their faith. Over the past year, my heart for world mission has greatly increased and when I heard about the opportunity to come and work with GBU through IFES InterAction I was really excited!

Now that I have arrived in Rome, I’m learning to depend on God in a new way with the practical challenges of living in a new country for the first time but I’m so grateful God’s provision of very kind friends and colleagues. I’m already learning much from Italian believers and so far I’ve greatly enjoyed meeting the students in GBU Roma, and I’m looking forward to helping them share the gospel through Bible studies and outreach on campus. I have a strong love for art and I’m excited
about the opportunities to help students engage with Italy’s rich art history as a starting point for talking about the gospel.

In my times of rest, I enjoy painting, cooking (and eating!) and going for walks in the countryside.

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Katie Bouckley

Katie has moved to Italy from the UK this year to work alongside international students in Turin.

She studied Creative and Professional Writing at Bangor University in Wales (2019-2022). For the past year she has been serving as a student worker with UCCF (British GBU) in Glasgow.

Abigail Malstead

I am from America but I grew up and studied in an international school in the South of India.

I came to Torino over a year and a half ago to work with the international students as a part of GBU. Before coming to Italy I worked in student ministry for a year in Northern Ireland and prior to that I studied Criminology in Kent for 3 years.

I love reading and being outdoors.