Roberto Beruffi

Roberto describes his childhood as broken and dysfunctional. Born in the Bahamas, his parents sadly separated when he was two, so Roberto spent much of his childhood with his grandparents, before starting boarding school in the UK at age nine – with only a basic knowledge of English.

After a traumatic time at school, Roberto moved to the USA to live with his father, aged 17. Feeling lonely, he tried to find friendship and contentment in various groups at the university. But in his last year he encountered the life-changing news of the gospel.

“I have experienced God's love and he has been working in me to transform me,” says Roberto.

Having gone through such a powerful transformation, Roberto says he’s desperate for others to experience God’s live-saving power. “I want to see God at work in people's lives. It’s a great privilege for him to use me in what he is doing in the world – building up the Church and equipping his people for the work of ministry.”

Roberto is a Project Worker for our Webber Street Centre, helping people take steps out of homelessness and provide relief from life on the streets. The team regularly serves breakfast, runs Bible groups and arts groups. Roberto also helps run a weekly 1-1 drop-in to help guests with anything practical, like filling out forms and making phone calls, and supporting guests to find employment and housing. With support from volunteers from local churches, the team hosts community meals helping guests connect with a church family and build lasting friendships.

Every day at Webber Street, Roberto meets people struggling with homelessness. The average life expectancy for a rough sleeper is in the 40s, and heartbreakingly 15% of deaths are from suicide. "They lack basic resources, and struggle with loneliness,” says Roberto. “There is an overwhelming need to be made whole physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, and so we long for their restoration in the Lord Jesus.”

Roberto is married and has two daughters. In his free time, he enjoys watching Korean dramas and going to the gym.