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The ministry of Passaggio
PASSAGGIO is an Italian Evangelical Publishing work based in the city of Mantua, in Northern Italy. Its aim is to provide Italian Evangelical churches with books containing solid Christian teaching, both theological and pastoral.
Most of our books are translated into Italian from English or French.
Since 1993, when PASSAGGIO was started by the vision of a small group of young evangelical christians, shared by their local churches, the ministry has gradually grown over the years attracting interests and support from evangelicals all over the country who agree with its vision and doctrinal position. Today, some people offer their help, most on a voluntary basis, to translate, review and arrange publications which are distributed and made available through bookstores, church book tables and at conferences.
The name PASSAGGIO comes from David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:15: ‘For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding’. It is part of the Italian expression “gente di passaggio” which means “sojourners”. It’s a word which reminds us that our true home is heaven: here on earth we are just passing through. Therefore, we need to make the best use possible of the time given to us.
PASSAGGIO’s vision is to be an instrument in God’s hands, strengthening and upbuilding the church in Italy by providing Italian Evangelical Christians with high quality translations of sound biblical and theological books.
A little information about ITALY
Population: about 58 million.
A) Evangelical churches in Italy
The vast majority of Italians consider themselves Christian or Catholic. To a very large extent it’s a question of tradition with no great practical implications in everyday life. Catholic churches are often rather empty in the North, while Southern people are more religious and tend to go to church more regularly.
Evangelicals are less than 1% of the population: it means about 500,000 people, but this figure also includes nominal Protestants.
The largest denomination is the Assemblies of God (about 800 local churches) and there are probably just as many independent Pentecostal churches.
The average local church has 50-100 members. Although there are many churches with only 15 members, there are a few with as many as 800 members. There is a greater concentration of evangelical Christians in the south compared to the north.
B) Why so few evangelicals?
Like other southern European countries, Italy did not experience a thoroughgoing reformation of religion in the 16th century. Although reformation thinking did influence people at all levels of society, it did not lead to a mass movement in favor of the reformation of the Church. When the Inquisition got into gear, those who remained faithful to the Bible had to choose between martyrdom and exile. Some faced death, others fled to Switzerland, Germany and even England. It is a sad truth that Italy has never experienced a true spiritual revival.
EVANGELICAL LITERATURE IN ITALIAN
Because Italy is a mission field, much effort has gone into producing evangelistic literature – often containing the testimonies of people who have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Consequently there is a lack of:
1. Bible commentaries
2. Bible study tools
3. Theological books
Evangelical publishers in Italy are often afraid to publish books on doctrine or theology. Sometimes this is for financial reasons as they are afraid they will not sell. Sometimes they are afraid of offending those who do not agree with a book’s doctrinal stance. For these reasons, publishers tend to play safe and concentrate their efforts on evangelistic or devotional literature.
The result of all this is that preaching in many churches is rather weak and, as a consequence the average church member does not have a sufficient grasp of biblical teaching and is therefore not able to discern what is true and what is right.
How PASSAGGIO is organized
The ministry f PASSAGGIO is guided by a group of people from different churches. By the grace of God PASSAGGIO has published the following titles (June 2007):
Biblical Doctrines
- Reckless Faith, John MacArthur
- The Christian Life, SB Ferguson
- Faith Alone, R.C. Sproul
- The Basis of Christian Unity, M. Lloyd-Jones
- The Gospel of God, Romans 1:1-17, M. Lloyd-Jones
- The Righteous Judgment of God: Romans 1:18-3:20, M. Lloyd-Jones
- Atonement and Justification: Romans 3:20-4:25, M. Lloyd-Jones
- 2 Peter, M. Lloyd-Jones
- The Shadow of the Cross, W. Chantry
- The God who loves, J. MacArthur
- A Call to a Spiritual Reformation, D.A. Carson
- Man’s will, God’s will and free will, E. Reisinger
- The Pleasures of God, John Piper
- Creation Regained, A. Wolters
- Il conforto della predestinazione, C.H. Spurgeon
Bibliography/History
- CH Spurgeon, A. Dallimore
- Una vita e un martirio da non dimenticare: Goffredo Varaglia, R. Giuliani
Christian living/Practical life
- The Holiness of God and of His People, H. Morgan
- The Christian and the Bible, Peter Martyr Vermigli
- Desiring God, J. Piper
- Discovering God's Will, Sinclair B. Ferguson
- The Sermon on the Mount, vol. 1, M. Lloyd-Jones
- The Callings, Paul Helm
- Peter, the Eye-Witness of His Majesty, E. Donnelly
- A yearly plan for Bible reading
Evangelistic
- The One Question, M. Lloyd-Jones
- Where was God On September 11?, J Blanchard
- Evolution, J Blanchard
- Back to God, R. Giuliani
- Why believe the Bible, J. Blanchard
- Is God past his by-sale date?, J. Blanchard
Family
- Family worship, Joel Beeke
- Age of Opportunity, Tripp
- Mighty Men, John Crotts
Pastoral ministry/Church growth
- Today’s Gospel, W. Chantry
- God's plan for women, S. James
- Preaching and Preachers, M. Lloyd-Jones
- The Reformed Pastor, R. Baxter
- 9 Marks of a Healthy Church (booklet), M. Dever
Mission
- Let The Nations be Glad!, John Piper
- A Vision for a Mission, Tom Wells
To date, by the grace of God, Passaggio has distributed about 45,000 books to evangelicals in Italy!
PASSAGGIO other ministries:
1. Annual Conference each May
Each year Passaggio holds a National Conference during the month of May. Many Italian christians from all over the country actively attend such conferences.
Our guest speakers has been:
Prof. Hywel R. Jones (Wales and Westminster Theological Seminary, Escondido, California).
Prof. Stuart Olyott (Wales),
Pastor John Gilmore (Wales, and missionary in Sicily for more than 40 years),
Pastor Josè Moreno (Alcaza, Spain)
Pastor Joel Beeke, (Gran Rapids, USA) Ministry: http://www.puritanseminary.org/
Pastor Andrew Davies (London, UK)
Pastor Jim Elliff ( Kansas City) Ministry: http://www.ccwonline.org/
Pastor Mark Johnston (London, UK)
Dr. James White, (Denver, USA) Ministry: http://www.aomin.org/
Pastor Larry McCall (Warsaw, USA) http://www.christscovenant.org/index.htm
Pastor Alistair Begg. (Cleveland, USA) Ministry: http://www.truthforlife.org/
Pastor Jerry Marcellino (Laurel, Mississippi, USA) http://www.audubonchurch.org/
Pastor Mark Dever (Capitol Hill, Washington DC, USA) http://www.9marks.org/
Pastor David Morris (Knightdale, North Carolina, USA)
Pastor Sergio D'Ascenzo and Renato Giuliani (Italia)
At present PASSAGGIO is seeking to consolidate its present structure and plan for the future.
In order to operate more efficiently, PASSAGGIO has:
- an office and book warehouse, in Mantua
- three supporting churches which take care of every Passaggio's project
For more information please write to:
Passaggio Publishers
Via A. Toscanini, 4
CAP. 46030
Bigarello
MN (Italy)
Tel & Fax +39 0376.45205 - e-mail:
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