| Italy |
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| Fast Facts of Italy |
Population: 58.1 million Languages: Italian (official), German Major religion: Roman Catholicism Date entered by WorldVenture: 1947 Number of WorldVenture workers: 15 Location of WorldVenture work: Naples, Rome, Milan
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| The Land and the People of Italy |
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Known for its "boot" shape, the peninsular country of Italy is about the size as the state of Arizona, including the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. The Apennine Mountains stretch nearly the entire length of the country, covering one-third of the land. Located between the Apennines and the Italian Alps farther north, is a rich and modern agricultural region called the Po Valley. This broad plain is also Italy’s most densely populated area. Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean region, Italy’s climate is sunny and dry for most of the year. Winters are typically cloudy and rainy, with snow in the mountain areas. Life in Italy pulses with color and animation. Centrally located, the capital city of Rome can be considered a dividing point between two distinct areas: the north, Italy’s fast-paced economic heartland, and the south, where family comes before business and life moves at a much slower pace. Due to this difference, southern Italy is a more religious area, but as a traveler moves to the north, the perceived need for faith diminishes. Many Italians, while traditionally Roman Catholic, claim to have no personal faith at all.
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Italy Map | Satellite
Click and drag the map. Use the zoom tool on the right to zoom down on a city or area. Click the Hybrid view to see both map and satellite imagery; click the Satellite view to see satellite imagery. |
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| WorldVenture's Work in Italy |
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WorldVenture entered Naples after World War II during a time when public preaching was forbidden and permits for church buildings were not available. The ministry bore little fruit until the 1960s. During the 1980s, evangelistic tent campaigns were bringing hundreds of new believers to WorldVenture associated churches. This method of evangelism infused the churches with a vitality that still continues today. Ministry in Rome, which started in the 1970s, is experiencing the same type of resistance that was encountered in Naples. List ministry opportunities in Italy
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| Goals and Future Direction of the Work |
WorldVenture Italy believes that the fastest way to reach the Italian people for Jesus Christ and to expand the kingdom to the final frontiers of the harvest is through planting indigenous churches. In order to reach this ambitious goal, the ministry is dedicated to extending grace to Italy by acts of mercy and evangelism. New groups of believers are being transformed into churches rooted and grounded in the Word and associated with other churches. Leaders in these churches will be equipped and sent to other areas of Italy and the world, where the process will be repeated. Evangelists must be able to model evangelism as a lifestyle. Church planters must have a vision of how cell groups and home groups function and how they can be used in the formation of new churches. |