The Italian Evangelical Alliance (AEI) recently held its Federal Assembly in Rome, which brought together evangelical leaders from all over Italy.

The entire assembly of the Alleanza Evangelica Italiana was centered on the aim of “refocusing witness on the Gospel, with the church as the protagonist of the mission, in times of cultural crisis”.

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Gospel-centered churches

The day began with the report of the AEI president, Giacomo Ciccone, followed by those from the Allaince districts: Campania, North-East, Central-Sardinia, Central-North, North-West and Sicily.

“The church is at the heart of God’s care to the extent that it places the Gospel at the centre”, pointed out Ciccone in his talk, which was based on Psalm 125.

He stressed that “despite its uncertainties and fragilities”, the Alliance’s work to foster evangelical unity “continues steadily”.

According to the president, the AEI “offers a prophetic voice to those who, both in Italy and internationally, ‘stray onto tortuous paths’ under the persuasive influence of an ecumenism that is far from biblical unity”.

Busy year at the AEI

Ciccone also reported on the activities that the Italian Evangelical Alliance has organised or led over the past year, including a religious freedom conference in the Senate in February 2025, and the sending of a letter to the President of the Republic regarding the extensive involvement of state schools in the Roman Catholic Jubilee.

Over the last 12 months, the AEI issued a statement following a Constitutional Court ruling recognising two mothers, and expressed solidarity with the Assemblies of God Italy churches that were victims of “stereotypical public communication” in the media.

On an international level, Ciccone recalled that he, AEI Vice-President Lucia Stelluti, North-East District Coordinator, Giuseppe Rizza attended the World Evangelical Alliance General Assembly in Seoul.

He said he was particularly “grateful and encouraged” by Lucia Stelluti’s appointment to the committee of the European Evangelical Alliance, which demonstrates “the AEI commitment and international engagement”.

Public theology

The morning continued with a reflection on Psalm 11 by professor Pietro Bolognesi, a former member of the Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).

Bolognesi spoke of the need to develop a public theology firmly anchored in the foundations of the Gospel.

In response to Bolognesi’s reflection, there was a round-table discussion chaired by Ciccone, where other evangelical leaders were able to exchange views on the subject.

Several leaders warned about preaching a non-Christ-centred gospel, which focus on political, cultural and motivational issues; a Christianity lived out in an exclusively individualistic way; and the lack of authentic discipleship.

Theological training

The afternoon focused on the work of the Forum of Theological Training Institutions in Italy (FEFTI).

This initiative has been promoted and supported over the years by the Theology and Dialogue Commission of the Italian Evangelical Alliance and formally established at the 2024 federal assembly.

The aim of the forum is “to promote interaction between institutions, dialogue for mutual exchange, and collaboration to present a united front for the Kingdom of God”.

The leaders of the FEFTI presented the first joint initiative promoted by FEFTI: a webinar on the catechesis of J.I. Packer, scheduled for 28 September to celebrate the centenary of the birth of English evangelical theologian.

Mission and church planting

The long day of sessions concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Lucia Stelluti on the themes of mission, the planting of new churches, urban witness and collaboration between evangelical groups.

The discussion was prompted by recent Italian publication of Tim Keller’s book, Church at the Centre.

Stelluti pointed out that the AEI, “far from seeking to replace the work of local churches, exists to promote, encourage, foster and strengthen collaboration between them”.

Each of the contributions stressed the importance of collaboration within local networks capable of “interpreting the spiritual needs and idols of the areas in which churches are called to work together”.