Nuova Vita is one of our global mission partners located in Salerno, Italy. Nuova Vita (new life) exists to see God transform lives and renew the city of Salerno through the good news of Jesus Christ.
“At Nuova Vita, I didn’t just hear the gospel preached; I saw it lived out in the lives of the people there.”
Growing up in a Catholic household in Italy was pretty standard. My parents were Catholic, as were most people I knew. But for me, it never felt like more than just a tradition. Going to church felt empty, robotic, and frankly, judgmental. It was like being part of something lifeless, void of any real connection or meaning.
Then, one day, my cousin invited me to an event at his evangelical church. I wasn't interested at all, but I had nothing else going on, so I figured, why not? What I experienced there was completely different. The atmosphere was vibrant, the music was stirring, and hearing athletes share their faith was something I hadn't encountered before. It made me wonder if there was something more to this whole Christianity thing.
So, I started attending that evangelical church. But unfortunately, it wasn't the welcoming community I hoped for. Instead, it was filled with legalism and judgment. It felt like another place where I didn't belong, especially when some of my friends got kicked out for questioning the pastor and how he reflected the person of Jesus. I stood by them, which led to me being rebuked by the church elders, who even accused me of being possessed by demons.
Feeling lost and disillusioned, I found myself in a pub one night, talking to my friend Justin Valiquette, the pastor of Nuova Vita at the time. He didn't shame or judge me; he simply invited me to his church, describing it as a welcoming family. And he was right. At Nuova Vita, I didn't just hear the gospel preached; I saw it lived out in the lives of the people there. It was a family that took following Jesus seriously, loving others fully, and living on mission without guilt or shame.
Over time, I came to believe in the gospel, got baptized, and started serving at Nuova Vita. Fast forward, now, I am the pastor at Nuova Vita, where I lead with excitement and passion for God and his word. Against all odds, the church is primarily growing through young adults experiencing the gospel fleshed out through the lives of our members, much like my own story. My desire is for the gospel to be both visible and tangible in how we steward our lives, so that outsiders can experience the life of Jesus through us. Nuova Vita isn't just boldly sharing the gospel; we're living it out as a living sacrifice for all of Salerno to see. And by God's grace, more and more people are becoming engaged with the gospel right where they live, work, and play.
