Leadership

Bruno D'Innocenzo

Pastoral Staff - Abundant Life Worship Center

    Brother Bruno, a native born Italian, met his future wife, Marianna while she was vacationing with her family in Italy in 1987. After dating via letters and phone calls for three years, he and Marianna married in August, 1991. The first year of marriage is often the most difficult one and theirs was no exception. Instead of beginning a wonderful partnership with his wife, their marriage began to deteriorate quickly.

    Brother Bruno was a man who had to be in charge. He was ambitious and full of pride. Those personality traits permeated his marriage as well. After attempting to control and manipulate Mariana, she was about to put an end to their marriage.

    Like many people, some of us need to come to the end of our self before we cry out to God. Bruno came to realize that he was not in charge and that his ways were not working. It took almost losing his wife before his heart was open to the Truth. Brother Bruno put it this way, “Basically I had to experience the end of myself to be able to see the beginning of God in my life.”

    It’s funny how the Lord orchestrates things. Just as his marriage was about to be over and Bruno came to the end of his rope, his boss invited him to a men’s breakfast at his church in March, 1992. Brother Bruno gave his life to the Lord and has not looked back.

    Bruno’s favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11-13, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Bruno has made it his life’s ambition to serve Pastor Joe and supporting his vision for our church. He continues to seek the Lord with his wife, Marianna, and their two children, Cristiana and Josiah.