Country Overview and Logistics

Prior to disclosing some of our objectives we are planning to achieve through the power of the Holy Spirit in the country of Italy, we believe it is appropriate to recognize the state of the Italian “inner climate” as we perceive it.

We know that Italians are “religious” by nature. This religious belief has extended to the sensationalism thus incorporating areas of the occult (from horoscope to black magic) into the religious make up of the average Italian. The minimum Christian indoctrination, that the population at large has received, is enough of a vaccine to prevent them from having a deeper and meaningful relationship with Christ. Thus most of the Italians may embrace a Christian tradition with the church, yet lack a personal relationship with Jesus. Even the tension between Catholics and Protestants, spurred by years of conflicts/persecution is disheartening in light of the great need for evangelization. Though the older generation is steeped in tradition and looks the other way in face of clerical hypocrisy, the newer generation has distanced itself from any forms of institutional religion and thus is more open to genuine changes. This however has opened doors into the cult movements or secular solutions. We strongly believe that true love is the conquering component missing in this country. People in Rome are living under very powerful strongholds of old and often feel angry, frustrated and unfulfilled. Only His unconditional love, in conjunction with fervent prayer, will give us the power to radically and effectively change lives and situations apart from any elaborate strategic plans. The big events that generate hundreds or even thousands of responses at a time do not exist here nor would they be looked upon favorably. Thus we need to be available and willing to create committed disciples one at a time making sure they will have the staying power to persevere to the end (Matt 10).

The Need

Historically, evangelicals in Europe have been made up mostly of the lower to lower-middle class of society who have made few or no inroads into a distinctive upper class. This class, composed of the top business, professional, civic and social leaders in society, is the upper echelons of society that influences and determines trends. As in most societies, there is a very distinct social order. People are open to being influenced by those they view as peers or as their social “superiors”. They are more resistant to being influenced by those they view as their social “inferiors”. Even though this elite has experienced a great deal of worldly success, often it experiences a deep emptiness, with lives devoid of meaning and love and on a desperate search for something truly meaningful in life.

The Challenge

This reality poses a challenge to the evangelical movement in Europe – how to penetrate these strata of their societies with the Gospel. Evangelistic methods such as literature distribution, outdoor events, door-to-door, etc. show no results. In Italy, the most effective way of spreading the Gospel has been through social networks, i.e. through natural points of contact such as relatives, friendships, work, etc. Unfortunately, evangelicals have very few natural points of contact with the higher social strata of the population.

The Goal

In response, Peppo and Jane have launched a ministry that addresses this strategic need. The goal is to find effective ways for Italian believers to reach members of the upper class and foster the spread of the Gospel through natural social networks in that segment of aristocracy. The development of personal relationships with people of influence and their families/friends underlined by ways to demonstrate the love of Christ to them and impart His teachings is at the core of the ministry. They have seen tremendous results during their work with influencers in Palm Beach and are now experiencing the same openings and reception in Rome. Their summarized strategy is:

• Win the influencers to Christ through effective dinner outreaches
• Disciple them through one-on-one follow up and small group studies
• Train and send them to reach others within their sphere of influence