Chiesa di Cristo di Bologna

Join the Mission ~ September 2026

About Bologna

Known as La Grassa (the fat), La Dotta (the learned), and La Rossa (the red), Bologna is a city of immense historical, intellectual, and culinary significance. Located just 2 hours south-east of Milan, Bologna is the seventh largest city in Italy. The oldest university in continuous operation, the Università di Bologna has over 80,000 students and is a crossroads of Italy.

While the city is famous for its miles of UNESCO-protected porticoes and rich culinary traditions, there remains a significant spiritual hunger. We see Bologna not just as a beautiful destination, but as a gateway where the gospel can take root and flourish in a modern, urban population.

No one lights a lamp and hides it under a bowl or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a lamp stand so that those who come in will see the light

Luke 8:16

Our Story & Mission

La Chiesa di Cristo di Bologna is the first ICOC planting in Italy in 30 years! We invite you to partner with us through prayer, financial support, or by joining our team as we step into this new chapter of ministry. With God’s help, we can bring the light of the Gospel to a city that has shaped history for centuries.

Our journey began with prayer and fasting in early 2025, as disciples from the Chiesa di Cristo di Milano began dreaming of the next Italian church. Led by two native-born Italians, with the support of the European Missions Society, our group has grown to include eight disciples from Milan and various US churches.

We set our hearts on Bologna because of its massive university population and its proximity to our sister church in Milan. Throughout the spring of 2026, our team is meeting to build relationships and navigate the logistics of housing and visas. God willing, September 2026 will bring the first services for this new family of disciples.

Join us in September 2026!

We are seeking 5 types of missionaries willing to move to Bologna this September and join our community in loving God, one another and our neighbors. We are looking for:

Italians: Bring the gospel to your homeland
Students: Start a campus ministry during a year of study abroad
Retirees: Individuals/couples ending their profession but continuing their commission.
Digital nomads: Use your professional freedom to serve one another humbly in love.
One Year Challengers: If you have the money saved, and are willing to spend a year serving God on our planting, then we’d love to have you!

How to Apply

If you feel called to join us, please complete the interest form to the right. As part of the process, we ask for:

  1. A short video introducing yourself and sharing why you want to participate in this planting.

  2. A letter of support from your current minister, elder, or church leadership.

If you have further questions before applying, please reach out to tristen.sleeper@gmail.com

Other Ways to Support

If joining this mission team is not where God is directing you, there are two other ways you can help:

  1. Prayer: Starting a new church is bigger than any of our talents. Please pray that we can successfully get jobs, housing and visas to allow us to participate. Pray also that we develop a loving community and that God blesses us to be able to share that with others.

  2. Spread the word: Tell others about this church planting. We would like their prayers too. And maybe for one of them, this is just the opportunity God is moving them towards.