Isola Evangelical Center: Founded on the Rock in 1957

“Therefore, anyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice will be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the streams came, the winds blew and hit that house; but it didn't fall, because it was founded on rock.” (Gospel according to Matthew 7:24-25)

After 65 years of hospitality
the renovation project of Casa Gran Sasso begins!
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‍Our desire to make Jesus known is growing.
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‍Help us to increase our ability to welcome and host!

Why is it important

Ciro Borgomastro - President

Originally from Manfredonia (FG), he has been living in London for years with his wife Maria Giovanna and with 2 of their 5 adult children. He has been collaborating with the Center since 1997, and is in his third term as president of the Center's association. He deeply loves the Work and the Word of God, he is committed to ensuring that, through the activities of the Center, it is shared with young and old guests. It puts passion and high expertise at the service of the Center in various areas of need, in this period with a special focus on restructuring.

Why does Casa Gran Sasso need renovation?

Casa Gran Sasso, requires urgent intervention to adapt the structure to fire and accessibility regulations: escape routes, sharing of floors and elimination of architectural barriers, these are the requests to which we must give an immediate and mandatory response. At the same time, new types of larger rooms have been designed and will be built, and an increase in the number of those with en-suite bathrooms, spaces now unused will be redeveloped with the construction of multi-purpose rooms, and new rooms will be added to the new attic floor to meet the growing demand for beds. The new spaces will be bright, functional and easy to maintain. At the plant level, we will install a condensing boiler, heat pumps and solar thermal and photovoltaic panels, with the aim of reducing consumption by at least 40% and making the most of the resources of the ODA.

What personal memories do you have of that House?

For me, my wife and our children, Casa Gran Sasso was our second home, an oasis of peace where the presence of God was perceived in every detail. It was nice to wake up at dawn, admiring the top of the Gran Sasso and the chain illuminated by the first sun, to enjoy the delicious breakfast he prepared for the day of studying the Word, immersed in a silence full of beauty and full of fraternal love, often those conversations gave rise to deep friendships.

What aspect encourages you the most in this project?

What excites me most is to see our Mission — “To make Jesus known... through hospitality and the study of the Bible” — come to life in renewed environments where the study of the Word of God, rest and friendship merge. I imagine children, teenagers, young people, families and the elderly crossing the threshold of completely renovated rooms and a new expanded attic, more beds, together with security, energy efficiency and sustainability, this makes every phase of the work a concrete promise of hope and sharing for the entire Italian church and beyond.

Why donate to this project?

Donating to Casa Gran Sasso means donating to the work of the Lord, investing in a place of encounter, growth and service that marks the lives of so many people, with prayer. Every contribution will be multiplied in Christian hospitality, so that more people can experience God's love.

Joe Hunziker - General Manager

Originally from Zurich, he has been in Italy for more than 30 years. His collaboration with Isola dates back to 1995. Since 2009, together with his wife Stefania, he has been managing the Center. They have 3 adult children. Joe loves to share the Word of God with collaborators and guests, this is the purpose of all the activities organized by the Center. It has brought vision and structure to management, growth in the involvement of many brothers and sisters in the Opera. In this period, together with the President, they are focusing their efforts to ensure that the restructuring project is managed efficiently.

Why does Casa Gran Sasso need renovation?

I stress an aspect already mentioned by Ciro, the “Casa Gran Sasso is growing” project is a renovation project, not a new building, because although Casa Gran Sasso is more than sixty years old, it does not require structural interventions. It was built very well, it was subjected to specific tests and it passed them all brilliantly, for this reason we are convinced that adapting it to current regulations and to the growth in demand for beds and new environments to accommodate more adequately, is the right choice.

What personal memories do you have of that House?

There are two environments that bring back good memories: the old telephone booth on the ground floor (no cell phones at the time...) from which I often saw children coming out very happy to have spoken to their parents or, on the contrary, others with tears of nostalgia. The other environment: the attic where we found ancient objects that remind us of past collaborators who have served and are great examples of faith. A found object: the bell, now mounted on the well in the center, reminds us of the founder Pasquale Fieni.

What aspect encourages you the most in this project?

One aspect that encourages me so much about this renovation is the beautiful collaboration that we are enjoying between brothers and sisters who contribute and who make this project happen. A project studied down to detail, which is improving day by day thanks to the help of many who offer their skills and their passion for the work. I am very encouraged and I think that everything is being done so that it can be a more useful, innovative and welcoming structure in everything, to better serve our guests.

Why donate to this project?

I firmly believe that this is a project that will have eternal repercussions in the lives of thousands of children, teenagers, young people and families! What has been done in this house for more than 60 years and that we pray will be done for many, many years to come, has an inestimable value, produces eternal fruit! The fruit is the change of heart, through the Gospel, that only God can produce in their lives, all this is extraordinary! Giving “Casa Gran Sasso Grows” donation collection means investing spiritually, having the opportunity to host campers who in those rooms, in those spaces, under that roof can listen to the Word of God and their lives and their destiny have changed forever!

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We ask for prayers for: wisdom in the design; respect for the times in the management of the works; coverage of the necessary funds; protection and safety of those who will work on the construction site; harmony of hearts.

Ciro Borgomastro - President

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The prayer is that, yes Casa Gran Sasso may grow, but may His kingdom grow through it; may this structure be used to the maximum of its possibilities so that we can experience the kingdom of God in all its aspects in the midst of our guests!

Joe Hunziker - General Manager

Donations collected

€127,194.31

Project cost

€980,000

Contact us to learn more about the renovation project “Casa Gran Sasso Grows!”

Fill out the request form and choose between:

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1) a visit to the church by one of our employees

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2) receive informational material (postcards and poster)

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3) informational call on a videoconferencing platform

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August 2025

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Gran Sasso House Renovation Project

START OF WORK

SEPTEMBER 2025

END OF WORK

MARCH 2026

Work progress

3%

Isola Evangelical Center: Founded on the Rock in 1957

Much of plus

Until 99 beds

Why is it important

Our Mascot

Here's how you can donate

Donate with Iban

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Contact us to learn more about the renovation project “Casa Gran Sasso Grows!”

Gran Sasso House Renovation Project

START OF WORK

SEPTEMBER 2025

END OF WORK

MARCH 2026

Work progress

3%

Isola Evangelical Center: Founded on the Rock in 1957

Much of plus

Until 99 beds

Why is it important

Our Mascot

Here's how you can donate

Donate with Iban

Donate with Card

Contact us to learn more about the renovation project “Casa Gran Sasso Grows!”

Newsletter Special Edition

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