1. Miracle in Italy Being Church Together Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy

2. One vision, a variety of experiences Host congregations Welcoming congregations Revitalized congregations Integrating congregations Migrants led congregation A dynamic creative process

3. The context A massive Catholic country with a high secularization rate Mainly historical churches: 300 local congregations; 200 register the presence of immigrants: 15/20% of their costituency A dramatic shift in 2008: political enterprises on immigration xenophopia, islamophobia, social fears. The immigrants as social scapegoat

4. Miracle activities/1 A workshop in Aversa – Castel Voltutno (South) South Pentecostal Social dis/integration Modest experience of Being Church Together

5. Miracle activities/2 Workshop in Brescia North, developed area Better integration More congregations Co-operation with the multicultural traing program of the Waldensian and Methodist Churches

6. Goals and Strategy Involve new partners (pentecostals) Coordination with existing programs (PFIPL) Train people to be more active in thir congragations Offer practical tools MIRACLE modules Sometimes adapted Ccordination with existing actors Not modules only; worships, choir, visits...

7. Achievements and critical issues Larger recognition of the primary importance of BCT More qualified facilitators for intercultural programs Easier relation between historical and evangelical denominations Underground conflicts Leadership selection and recognition Unbalanced expectations from the church and availability for the church Theological awareness to be implemented

8. Future developments: more... Flexibility in the churches strategy for integration More social and anthropological awareness of the chiurch leadership acting in a multiculltural context Focus on religious freedom Recognition of the multicultural churches as as strategical actors for social integration and inclusion