Reformation Christian Ministries

Report #1 -- Some weeks after the election of the new pope I received the following report from an Italian whom I know personally speaking about one of our colleagues in Italy. (We have left his name out of this and other articles so that these reports don't immediately show up in internet search engines):

"A recent national news program took place which hosted two well known politicians, one of whom has been in contact with an important Reformer in Italy. The program was watched because someone knew of the connection. The person who watched the program was astounded at what he heard (in the best sense). The politician was speaking about the law and public ordinances and the importance of his role as a mayor to uphold these things for the good of the public. He has been attacked all week in the local papers in Italy for his work. The point isn’t which law or ordinance he was speaking about, as much as it is the issue of OBJECTIVE TRUTH IN CULTURE, which does not exist here in Italy. Each political party does what it wants, lies, steals, cheats, and the public and culture suffers.

"Here is a mayor, who because of contact with this Reformer, is putting forward a completely different way of governing (for Italy), and he is paying a very high price for it. This man was ridiculed by members of his own party for being too “law and order”, for caring too much about that and not about the party ideology. How horrible! He is thinking for himself instead of spouting party lines. They spoke about how this mayor's version of politics and governing is a radical shift for Italy, and if it continues to go forward, it will mean a change for ALL of Italy. They prefer for him to NOT speak about the public interest, his responsibility to the citizens, and just speak about the party ideology, which merely enslaves and does not help anyone to live."

"The work of Reformation in Italy involves far more than simple evangelistic preaching (though that it does involve). It is important to note the significance of working culturally, internally in the cultural institutions in order to bring about reform. That is what is taking place here in the Reformation for which this Reformer is working. This is something that is difficult for you Americans to understand, where your cultural institutions were founded in this way and you have been living off of that ever since. This is not the case in Italy, but through the work of a few Reformers, these things are beginning to change, slowly, but surely.

"This is the work that our friend is doing, (he is working very closely with this politician and several others to lay a theological base for how public institutions should work, how politicians should relate to their citizens, etc., etc- I have seen some of the work. We need your prayers for Italy and the prayers of Christians from around the world. I know there are issues of sensitivity, that is why I have left out all details. In the end it is the Word of God and His Spirit that unites in love and truth to join hands and forge stronger ties of love in order to help the Word of God be planted here. We saw the reality of the battle in a very real way last night, as well as the beauty of the Gospel shining forth through this man and his desire to serve and be a blessing to the citizens of his city. We have never seen this before here. I cannot say enough how remarkable it was, and THIS represents the basis of Reformation today here in Italy.

"I wanted you to understand the significance of this, and the fact that this Reformer is under enormous pressure and possible persecution, as is this politician. They spoke on the phone just several days ago, and remain in close contact. What is more, the Reformer is also now working with a group of 400 married priests who are organizing for a significant work here, mostly as a result of the election of the recent pope. He is working night and day to help guide them theologically, as there is nowhere else for them to go. He is buried with work and opportunities, and I would say in my as a Christian in Italy, it is probably the most significant moment I have seen. Please continue to pray, be excited, and ask the Lord with us to bless the application of His Word that is going out in such significant ways. The Word of God will bring fruit and blessing, it will bring life and freedom to those who follow it, allowing them to live in peace with God and one another, something desperately needed here."

Your Friend in Italy