On January 6, 2026 our church had the joy of hosting a gathering of twenty-three ministers and elders representing ten confessional Reformed and Presbyterian churches from across Italy. These churches came from Milan, Monza, Lecce, Pistoia, Brescia, Asti, Legnano, Novara, San Remo, . . . Continue reading →
Missional and Reformed
Martyrs, Raisins, And Raids: Rethinking The Origins Of Islam
Many Muslim men throughout history have aspired to martyrdom because of the qur’anic promise of ḥūrīs in heaven. Traditionally this word has been understood as “beautiful virgin women” who will await them upon their martyr’s death. But what if the term does . . . Continue reading →
Baptism Between the Minarets: The Gospel at Work In Turkey
The ancient city of Smyrna holds a significant place in the annals of church history. It was one of the seven churches addressed by Christ in the book of Revelation, and it was the home of the early church father Polycarp (AD . . . Continue reading →
The Reformation In Italy Continues
As 2025 marches on, Milan is showing the first signs of spring. The cold winter air is beginning to lose its bite. Locals are lingering longer in the piazzas, basking in the growing sunlight. Cherry blossoms and magnolias are starting to unfurl . . . Continue reading →
Presbyterian Congregation Spends $1.8M On Organ
I understand that people love music. I understand that Christians are moved by instrumental music in worship. The question remains, however, does the Lord love instrumental music in new covenant worship? The question is: On what basis do we do what we . . . Continue reading →
The Need For Reformed Witness In Lebanon
Lebanon is a nation with a unique religious landscape. Unlike many Arab countries where Islam is deeply intertwined with national identity, Lebanon stands out as a country with a nominal Christian history. Continue reading →
Uma Defesa da Membresia Confessional
Quem pode se juntar à igreja de Cristo e sob quais condições? Esta é uma pergunta que, às vezes, agitou a igreja. No período moderno, a maioria das igrejas, incluindo as igrejas confessionais presbiterianas e reformadas (P&R), tende a adotar uma posição . . . Continue reading →
Video: Mission In Milan
Pastor Chris Gordon catches up with good friend and fellow Westminster grad Rev. Michael Brown, visiting all the way from Italy. Michael talks about his exciting ministry in Milan and the highs and lows of preaching the Gospel in a Roman Catholic-saturated . . . Continue reading →
Celebrating 5 Years Of Ministry In South Africa
Editor’s Note: The following is an update from Rev. Antonio Coppola on his work and ministry in South Africa. He has written several articles for the Heidelblog and we have published several of his church-planting updates from Covenant Waterfall Presbyterian Church, which . . . Continue reading →
When Church Planting Doesn’t Go According To Plan
I think many church planters overestimate what can be done in two years and underestimate what can be done in ten years. We overemphasise the need for rapid numerical growth and underemphasise the wisdom of building slowly and faithfully. I remember preaching to . . . Continue reading →
Milan Mission Update
I am happy to share with you that, by God’s grace, the ministry of the Word in Milan continues to flourish. God has blessed us with several new families and students. Continue reading →
The Reformed Covenant Theology South Africa Needs
Faithful God is a book the Reformed community in South Africa—and beyond—doesn’t know it needs. Asking someone who identifies as Reformed what that means, their answer will usually include the doctrines of grace as summarised in the five solas. However, throughout Faithful God, Antonio Coppola helps . . . Continue reading →
Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg: The Pioneer-Protestant Missionary
In the wake of the Counter-Reformation and the increasing spread of the Jesuit missions movement, the King of Denmark, Fredrick IV (1671–1730), responded by launching the first Protestant mission. Franz Julius Lutkens, the chaplain to the king, founded the Danish Royal Mission . . . Continue reading →
Ministry Update From South Africa
Editor’s Note: The following is an update from Rev. Antonio Coppola on his work and ministry in South Africa. Earlier this year, he wrote an article discussing his church-planting efforts at Covenant Waterfall Presbyterian Church, as well as his work at Mukhanyo Theological . . . Continue reading →
Jesus Versus The Movers & Shakers
For well over a decade now, I have heard Christians approvingly employ phraseology about social and ecclesiastical constructs—phrases such as “a seat at the table” and “power structures.” I have a friend who—when he was first coming into the denomination in which . . . Continue reading →
On Comity And Mission
Comity between churches is a topic that few in NAPARC dare raise. Darryl Hart, however, wrote this piece doing just that. Many are reluctant to talk about the comity agreement because it is not always observed—likely few church planters or pastors even . . . Continue reading →
Latest Ministry News From South Africa
Editor’s Note: The following is an update from Rev. Antonio Coppola on his work and ministry in South Africa. Earlier this year, he wrote an article discussing his church-planting efforts at Covenant Waterfall Presbyterian Church, as well as his work at Mukhanyo Theological . . . Continue reading →
Give Me the Hills and Hollers, Or I Die!
So, in general, there is some awareness in the wider church of this reality in underserved America’s small-town and rural regions. There is still, however, a greater need to raise up an explicitly Reformed and Presbyterian witness to serve these areas.
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The Gospel Makes Progress In Milan
On Sunday, January 29, 2023 we received a new member into our church. Federico Gobbo, 28, (pictured above, while Elder Vittorio Calderaro makes an announcement from the pulpit) stood during public worship and took vows of membership, entering into full communion with Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia. Continue reading →
Does Jesus Love Sinners In The Mountains, On The Plains, and In the Hollers?
The Mission to the Middle
On Tuesday of this week, HRA board member, PCA ruling elder, and co-host of the Presbycast, Brad Isbell published an important essay, which called attention to the lack of attention paid, in the confessional Presbyterian and Reformed world, to the forgotten middle . . . Continue reading →














