Church Planting in Italy
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah — that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! (Psalm 67:1-2).
The Mission:
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).
MAKE KNOWN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST THROUGH EVANGELISM.
In various ways we seek to lift up the Lord Jesus Christ so that men and women would be drawn to Him. We believe the primary means is to preach Christ boldly as He is revealed in the Scriptures (Colossians 1:28-29; 2 Timothy 4:2). In the context of our community and relationships, we seek to use literature distribution, Bible studies, hospitality, ESL, and deaconal outreach as some of the means to reach the lost. However, most of our opportunities are as we living out our lives in the community. Questions are asked and relationships are built.
MAKE DISCIPLES OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
We seek to teach His disciples to obey whatsoever He has taught us (Matthew 28:18-20). In particular, we seek to train men to be leaders in their home, in the Italian church, and in the community. We endeavor to “entrust the faith to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
PLANT CONFESSIONAL PRESBYTERIAN AND REFORMED CHURCHES
We are laboring to establish Italian Presbyterian churches that are devoted to the ordinary means of grace such as fervent intercessory prayer, expository preaching and teaching, administration of the sacraments, and Reformed worship, regulated by the Word of God (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:23; John 4:23-24).
We believe that each church should work toward the following common goals as an indigenous church:
- self-sustaining
- self-governing
- self-propagating
Specific efforts need to be made toward the training and setting apart of men to be deacons, elders, and future pastors (Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5).
ESTABLISH AN ITALIAN PRESBYTERY
It is important to network with like-minded brethren who share our common Reformed heritage, working toward an Italian presbytery (Acts 15, 1 Timothy 4:14). We are not the first here nor are we alone in Italy. We are only one part of this. There are other churches and pastors that are laboring where the Lord has called them. We hope that there would be a desire to connect and work toward mutual endeavors as the Lord enables.
We cannot afford to be an island unto our self. So we are also grateful for friendships with brethren in the Kingdom of Christ in Italy and count them as our family and labor for mutual encouragement. There is so much we can learn from others who are not in our immediate circles.
Introduction:
Michael Cuneo was ordained and sent by Calvary Presbytery (PCA) in 2007 as a pastor-missionary to Italy.
Mike is married to Ivana, who has served the Lord in her hometown of Palermo, Sicily, for more than 30 years.
Together they are serving the Lord in province of Perugia, which is in the region of Umbria (Central Italy). They are laboring in partnership with the Reformed Church of Perugia (Chiesa Riformata di Perugia). They seek your prayers and support.
Please pray for us and consider partnering with us in the work of Christ in Italy.
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