The Need
Although Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance, the Belpaese became the graveyard of the Reformation. During that time, the Roman Inquisition wiped out any real hope for an Italian Reformation. And then as today, Italians are still hostage of darkness.
In Italy, only 1% of the population belongs to a Protestant church, and of them, less than 150 believers are members of Reformed and Presbyterian churches. Therefore, today around 60 million of Italians are unable to hear God’s Word because there are not enough gospel-centered Christians and churches around them.
Moreover, there are no theological seminaries in Italy, and the vast majority of pastors are self-taught, and without having access to the vital reformed resource.
Religions in Italy
The Place
For the last several years, a core-group of believers in the Lecce area (Southern Italy) have been worshipping through videoconferencing with the Reformed churches in Perugia (Central Italy) and Milan (Northern Italy), because they are without a local church and pastor.
We believe God is calling us to minister to this core-group in Lecce.
Located in the region of Apulia, at the "heel" of the "Italian boot", Lecce is the capital city of the province of Lecce and the most important city of the Salentine Peninsula.
Rich in history, culture, and folklore, and because of its Baroque architectural monuments, Lecce is commonly nicknamed "The Florence of the South.”
Although the city of Lecce counts about 100,000 inhabitants, the surrounding area is densely populated, and over a million people live within a radius of 40 miles.
However, the Protestant presence on the Salento peninsula is almost nonexistent. There are only about 200-250 believers, scattered in a few Evangelical churches. No Presbyterian or Reformed churches exist throughout Southern Italy.
The Vision
Short-term Goal
Our short-term goal is to plant a Christ-centered and gospel-driven Presbyterian Church in Southern Italy, in Lecce, true to the reformed faith as exposed by the Westminster Standards, and that can become self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating over the years.
Mid-term Goal
In partnership with other like-minded missionaries, our mid-term goal is to help to organize an indigenous reformed denomination that can foster a church planting movement of more reformed confessional churches in Italy.
Long-term Goal
Our long-term goal is to develope and establish an Italian reformed theological school that can equip church leaders and prepare qualified ministers of the gospel.