We have worked for many years now with the Gruppi Biblici Universitari (GBU), a ministry among students in Italy similar to the Christian Unions. Recently we spent an evening with a group of around a dozen Christian students, some Italian and some from elsewhere in the world, to talk together about the aim of the GBU groups: evangelism in the university.

We began by asking, ‘What is Christianity about?’—and how they might answer this if a friend asked them two minutes before a lesson began. Their suggestions were quite a mixture:

  • One talked about Jesus as the Son of God, and how we can be saved through believing in him because of his death and resurrection.
  • Another spoke of the significance of belonging to God’s people and having a personal walk with God in the community of the church.
  • A third said they would not immediately talk about Jesus, as it might close down the conversation for many; instead, they would begin with the hope they have, so that if people see its reality in our lives, they may then listen when we speak of Jesus.

We then turned to God’s own answer. In the opening verses of Romans, Paul states that the gospel is first and foremost about Jesus: how he became a man, and how the Spirit declared him to be God’s Son—particularly ‘by his resurrection from the dead.’ We talked about the good news of what this means for us: grace and the obedience of faith among all who are called. But then we looked again. The good news doesn’t begin with us! It is the fact that Jesus, who was dead, is now alive—a divine declaration in history of his sovereign power over all.

The culture in Italy is steeped in Christian tradition, yet even when we meet students—like one recently—who are well versed in theological issues and capable of framing questions about them, it is striking how unfamiliar many are with the actual text of the Bible. After a long conversation about his questions, we invited this student to read a well-known passage from Mark’s Gospel. As he paid attention, he was visibly taken aback by what was written—as if for the first time he truly saw the words on the page. Italians need to hear the gospel! Italy grapples with deep problems of family fracture, social incohesion, and economic deprivation. Evangelical churches often struggle with internal strife, unhealthy cultures, and a lack of training and resources. These are all good reasons for mission in Italy. But the greater motivation is not simply, as one of the students suggested the other evening, helping people to ‘fill a God-shaped hole’. It is that the good news of Jesus’ lordship has been declared, and by his resurrection he has made known his unassailable purpose to call men and women from every nation as witnesses for his name’s sake. The greatest need and opportunity for mission is that God should be glorified through the proclamation of this gospel.

We have had the great privilege, as Crosslinks mission partners, to do this for many years now, working with students since we first arrived. We love the opportunity to work at the most foundational things and to see students’ lives shaped by them, so that they might go on to serve Christ for a lifetime in the church. This year it seems that more young people—both Italian and international—are coming to the GBU with questions and curiosity than we have ever seen before. It’s great, and perhaps it is a quiet revival, or some kind of Gen Z spiritual wave. Whatever it is, we are mindful that God’s work is not complete when young people watch Christian content on TikTok, or ask more questions, or vote for parties that speak of ‘Christian principles.’ It comes to completion when people name Jesus Christ as Lord in the obedience of faith, and a lifetime of service for his name’s sake flows from that confession.

Please pray that we might see more and more students established in this faith. ‘Those from Italy send you their greetings.’ (Hebrews 13:24) Thank you!