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The International Christian Institute, Inc. came into legal existence in September of 2002. Earlier that year in January, the beginnings of the ministry were initiated when Rev. Stephen Goundry and Rev. Eduardo Torsani visited Brazil with the vision of a missionary training center in their hearts. Seeking the Lord's guidance, they eventually arrived in the city of Goiania in the State of Goias. It was there in the city of Goiania that they came into contact with the "Light for the People" Church leaders and an opportunity to establish the vision began.

Returning to Goiania a few months later, along with Rev. Joe Trementozzi and Rev. Vincent La Verghetta, the small team of four presented their whole vision for a missionary training center to all the Christian leaders in the city. The conference was held in a local hotel to inform the city of what I.C.I. wanted to accomplish amongst them. The very next day, through the contacts made with "Light for the People" the team was taken to the outer areas of the region to meet a farmer and his wife who had their own vision to share. The small town nearby was called Piracanjuba (an old Indian word meaning, "big fish." Having already designed the I.C.I. logo in the form of the Christian "fish" the team thought it was a providential connection.

The I.C.I. leaders were introduced to the farmers who owned large portions of land. They had inherited the land from their grandfather many years ago and had secretly promised the Lord that they would give part of the land for the Kingdom of God. They proved to be a wonderful Christian family and were true to their promise to God, in that they offered the team a tenth of whatever land they chose. 

In short, Mr.  & Mrs. Ivan Pinheiro de Melo gave I.C.I. the best they had as the team chose a location that had natural woodland beauty and easy access to the main road.

The following year, Rev. Eduardo Torsani and his family moved from Florida to Brazil to live in the small town of Piracanjuba and promote the vision. Supported by donations here in the United States, the Torsani family began to introduce I.C.I. to many leaders around the country. They opened many "doors" for ministry - some in other States of Brazil, and some in foreign countries like Paraguay and Bolivia. However, living in a small, remote town incurred many personal difficulties for the Torsani's and out of necessity, they eventually moved to Campos; a large city in Rio State, Brazil.

The directors of I.C.I. undertook another visit to Piracanjuba in May 2004 where they visited the farm and talked extensively with Mr. & Mrs. Pinheiro de Melo concerning the vision of missionary training on their land. To the delight of the delegation, they found that their hearts had not wavered and it was wonderful when they passed all the plans of the apportioned land into the hands of the President, Rev. Stephen Goundry. Truly, the words of the ancient prophet still resonated within the hearts of everyone, when he said, “for the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2 v 3

Meanwhile, the vision for missions has carried on through the many "doors" that were opened. From medical missions on boats on the River Paraguay to preaching in open air "buildings" in the Dominican Republic, the purposes of reaching the lost and "preparing those who will go" has continued.

I.C.I. Inc., with its vision and its name for integrity, is now experiencing a different phase, where missionaries lacking spiritual oversight and a financial conduit are now seeking I.C.I. involvement.