Bringing the Reformation
Back to Italy
Reformation Italy
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
MATTHEW 11:28
When we think of the Protestant Reformation, Italy is not the first place that comes to mind. We think of places such as Martin Luther’s Germany, Thomas Cramner’s England, and John Calvin’s Geneva. These are places where the Reformation took root in the church and had a lasting influence upon her doctrines, worship, and life. Italy, on the other hand, is the home of the Vatican, the Roman Inquisition, and the Council of Trent. Although it was the birthplace of the Renaissance, it became a graveyard for the Reformation. By the mid-sixteenth century, any real hopes for an established Reformation in Italy were wiped out by the political and ecclesiastical power of Rome.
Today, almost 500 years later, there is an effort to change that. Several mission works of churches belonging to the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC) are bringing the light of the Reformation to Italy by planting churches that faithfully preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Below, you can learn more about those particular missions, where to find Reformed and Presbyterian churches in Italy, and how you can help.
THE NEED
Americans tend to think of Italy as a vacation destination, not a mission field. It is a country rich in history, culture, and cuisine. It is the land of the ancient Romans, the birthplace of the Renaissance, and the fashion capital of the world. But when it comes to the gospel, Italy is impoverished and bleak.
Christianity played a prominent role in Italy’s past. Beautiful church buildings and cathedrals still dot the horizon throughout the country. Today, however, one is hard-pressed to find a church that preaches God’s Word faithfully. Sadly, there are no Reformed or Presbyterian denominations in Italy. Unlike European countries such as Germany, Switzerland and England, Italy did not enjoy the light of the Reformation beyond the first half of the sixteenth century. Although the Reformation thrived in Italy during the 1520s and 1530s, it was crushed by the Roman Inquisition in 1542.
Since that time, the country has languished under Roman Catholicism. Today, more than 70% of Italy’s population is nominally Roman Catholic and with no understanding of the gospel. The rest of the population is a mixture of paganism, Pentecostalism, and Islam. Less than 1% of the population identifies as Protestant. Consequently, Italy is a spiritually dark place to live.
To put this situation in perspective, consider this comparison between it and the state of California:
ITALY
~161,300
SQUARE MILES
58,870,762
POPULATION in 2023
<5
ESTABLISHED CONFESSIONAL REFORMED & PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
CALIFORNIA
~164,000
SQUARE MILES
38,965,193
POPULATION in 2023
>200
ESTABLISHED NAPARC CHURCHES (URCNA, OPC, PCA, RCUS, etc.)
These numbers are terribly out of balance. If biblical Christianity is to survive in Italy, we need to plant churches that preach the gospel boldly, administer the sacraments faithfully, and provide pastoral care to Christ’s sheep. We need to leave something solid for the next generation. Our long-term goal, therefore, is to establish a healthy, indigenous denomination of Presbyterian and Reformed churches in Italy: la Chiesa Presbiteriana e Riformata in Italia (CPRI). In the short-term, we are tending to the churches in Milan, Perugia, and Lecce with Christ’s means of grace to build them up in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
MISSIONARIES
Visit each biography to learn more about our missionaries!
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Rev. Michael Brown
URCNA Missionary - Milan
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Rev. Vincenzo Coluccia
PCA Missionary - Lecce
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Rev. Andrea Ferrari
URCNA Missionary - Perugia
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Rev. Michael Cuneo
PCA Missionary - Trasimeno
MISSION WORKS
Visit the project websites of our missionaries!
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MISSION MILAN
Mission Milan is a mission work of the Escondido United Reformed Church dedicated to making disciples of Jesus Christ in Italy’s most global city. Rev. Michael Brown is an ordained minister in the United Reformed Churches in North America and serves as pastor of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia, a small but growing congregation located on the northwest side of Milan.
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MISSION PERUGIA
Mission Perugia is a mission work of Christ United Reformed Church focused on building Christ’s church in Perugia. Rev. Andrea Ferrari is an ordained minister in the United Reformed Churches in North America and serves as pastor of Chiesa Protestante Riformata Perugia.
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PIETRA VIVENTE CHURCH PLANT
Pietra Vivente Church Plant is a mission work of the Presbyterian Church in America focused on the region of Lecce, which is the boot of Italy. Rev. Vincenzo Coluccia and his wife, Judit, are sent by the South Coast Presbytery to plant a church in his hometown and make disciples.
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MISSION TRASIMENO
Chiesa Riformata del Trasimeno is a confessionally Reformed mission seeking to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to Passignano and to the area of lake Trasimeno and beyond. The mission is a sister church of the Reformed church in Perugia and is part of the Presbyterian & Reformed Church in Italy.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Every Christian is involved in one way or another in the Great Commission. You may or may not be a missionary, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be involved in missions. Here are some ways you can help us!
Pray
that the gospel will be proclaimed boldly in Italy and that churches will be planted.
for the churches in Milan, Perugia, Trasimeno, and Lecce that they will be spiritually healthy.
for the spiritual well-being and financial support of our missionaries.
Learn
Read the various mission projects and see how God is working in Italy.
Subscribe to our missionaries’ newsletters on their websites!
Share
Tell others about Reformation Italy and the mission works going on!