MISSIONS IN

Italy

God is moving in Italy

The State of Missions in Italy

Missions in Italy reflect a nation with deep Catholic identity but a small evangelical minority rooted in Waldensian, Baptist, Brethren, and Pentecostal movements. Waldensian believers survived centuries of restriction in Piedmont before receiving civil emancipation in 1848. 23 UPGs remain, totaling about 2,097,900 unreached people; Arab is the largest listed group.

  • 59M POPULATION
  • 77% CHRISTIANS
  • 99.2% LITERACY
  • 23 UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS
  • Arab LARGEST UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP
  • 2.1M UNREACHED POPULATION
  • Rome CAPITAL CITY
  • Rome Milan Naples LARGEST CITIES
  • Euro CURRENCY
  • Mediterranean overall, with hot dry summers, mild winters, alpine cold in the north, and regional. CLIMATE
  • Italian PRIMARY LANGUAGES
  • Islam LARGEST UNREACHED RELIGION

Explore Italy

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God Is at Work. You’re Invited Into the Story.

God Is at Work. You’re Invited Into the Story.

Around the world, God is moving through ordinary people who pray, give, go, and serve. Hold the Rope helps you discover the stories—and find your place in them. Read More

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Bible Translation Bible ministry in Italy should prioritize clear Scripture access and meaningful engagement.
Church Planting Freedom allowed Waldensians to expand into Turin, Florence, Rome, and other parts of the newly unified Italian state.
Disaster Relief Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Education Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Gospel Access Italy has 23 UPGs and about 2,097,900 unreached people; Arab is the largest listed community.
Human Trafficking Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Medical Missions Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Orphans & Vulnerable Children Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Persecuted Church Italian evangelicals remain a small minority but combine indigenous leadership with multicultural church planting.
Poverty & Justice Churches in Italy can address poverty through dignifying help that strengthens families and livelihoods.
Unreached People Groups Millions still have little or no access to the gospel in their language and culture.

Active Projects across Italy

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A History of God's Faithfulness in Italy

Italy’s evangelical missions history explains much of its present church landscape. Waldensians gained civil emancipation in 1848 and expanded beyond their valleys; after Italian unification, evangelical churches, Bible societies, Baptists, Brethren, and later Pentecostals planted congregations across the peninsula. Over time, responsibility moved increasingly toward local pastors, evangelists, teachers, and congregations.

  1. Early Beginnings

    Waldensian believers survived centuries of restriction in Piedmont before receiving civil emancipation in 1848.

  2. 1900s

    Freedom allowed Waldensians to expand into Turin, Florence, Rome, and other parts of the newly unified Italian state.

  3. Independence Era

    Baptists, Brethren, Methodists, Bible societies, and later Pentecostals added distinct evangelical movements across Italy.

  4. Modern Movement

    Postwar migration and urbanization created new churches, while evangelical immigrants later transformed many city congregations.

  5. Today

    Italian evangelicals remain a small minority but increasingly combine indigenous leadership with multicultural church planting.

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