Italy: new church in Rome

The first building since 1925 has been purchased by an evangelical church in central Rome (half a mile from the Coliseum) to be a space for public worship.

The first hub for gospel work in decades has been launched to foster evangelical collaboration in the city and the first Protestant library to be opened in Rome since 1870 will encourage training and scholarship.

Breccia di Roma is a Reformed Baptist church which seeks to be instrumental in opening doors for the gospel in a city that has strongly opposed the Protestant faith for centuries.

Purchased and refurbished

On 29 May the official inauguration of the newly purchased and refurbished building took place in an atmosphere of joy and expectation.

The church was delighted to have a number of guests, including the Deputy Major of Rome and a couple of MPs. One of the pastors of the church explained the added value of having an evangelical church in the city: a place to foster reconciliation between generations, ethnicities, social backgrounds, etc; a place which promotes learning for all; a place that nurtures civic responsibilities and compassion. This is possible because of the commitment to always going back to the source of the faith (Scripture), being grounded on the heart of the faith (God’s grace which saves sinners), and being led to the centre of the faith (Jesus Christ and him alone).

Great expectations

Different members illustrated the various ministries the church is part of: the work of the Italian Evangelical Alliance with its focus on religious freedom; theological training offered through IFED, Union and the Reformanda Initiative; student work through Agape; anti-trafficking activities and refugee ministry supported by different churches and agencies; art exhibitions and more.

There are great expectations about what God is doing and will do through it.