In Italy, an open discussion table on evangelicals and the media

A stimulating and open discussion table. This is one of the possible definitions that can describe the content of the “Theological Days” promoted by IFED (Evangelical Formation and Documentation Institute), which in the 2024 edition saw the presence of over two hundred attendees to listen to the discussions of the speakers invited for the occasion.

Held in the institution’s Padua headquarters from 6 to 7 September, the gathering had an important and current theme: “Evangelicals and Media”. The topic stimulated a broad comparison between the various positions and experiences, through the expressions made known in the study sessions.

There were seven sessions in total. Among them, a couple of which were curated by Tim Challies, pastor, blogger and writer of texts also published by the Italian Assemblies of God (ADI) Media publishing house.

Various other exponents of the contemporary evangelical world also participated in a rich programme. The main purpose of the two days was “to focus on the challenges for evangelical testimony and propose a healthy and culturally relevant biblical approach”.

Among the guests who gave a contribution of experience was Joel Forster, director of Evangelical Focus and member of the team of the Spanish-language daily news website Protestante Digital.

Also Calogero Sorce, member of the Assemblies of God Media, Radio and TV Department, and editor in chief of the news service Notiziario ADI.

Different cultures, similar experiences and a great desire to grow in an area that seems anything but obvious: the presence in the media and their constructive use for sharing thoughts and messages that point to the person of Christ Jesus the Lord.

To make the stay at the Padua facility even more interesting, there was also a tour of the largest evangelical library in Italy, which has the presence of several tens of thousands of academic study texts, starting from ancient and precious publications (also in Italian) to the most recent editions of the various Christian publishing houses in the country and on an international level.

Calogero Sorce, editor in chief of Notiziario ADI, a news service of the Assemblies of God in Italy.