A family with Christ at the centre.

Preparing for the work

The church’s roots reach back to the late 1980s, when God was stirring believers towards missionary work in Albania, particularly in Vlorë. Danillo Valla, Salvatore Corcelli, Librado Salgado, and others were involved in this preparation.

What began as a personal calling gradually became a shared commitment among the churches of Manfredonia. Before meetings began in Vlorë, a desire was taking shape to serve its people and share the good news of Jesus Christ.

The beginning and development of the work

In summer 1992, following intensive meetings among the leaders of four churches in Manfredonia, Michele and Graziella Ciocola, and Domenico and Eva Ciocicola arrived in Vlorë. Their ministry began with children’s meetings, visits, and literature distribution in the city’s streets.

Weekly meetings with families living near the mission house began that autumn. These gatherings became part of the beginnings of the new community. The first baptisms took place at the City Theatre on 25 April 1993, and the Evangelical Church of Vlora took shape as a fellowship of believers.

Domenico and Eva settled in Vlorë with their children, Rebeca and Andrea, and served until 2001. During this period, the missionary work developed towards a local church ready to take responsibility for its own leadership and ministry.

Taking responsibility and moving forward

In 2001, the church recognised Selamet Zeneli and Gentian Jonuzaj as elders, and Ylli Veizaj and Ilir Çobani as deacons. Recognising this leadership marked the end of the missionary period and the beginning of the church’s self-government.

The church continued to grow and move forward. At the same time, the need for greater maturity and experience became clear, particularly in leadership. The church’s history acknowledges shortcomings and mistakes honestly; growth brought a need to learn and reflect.

A group of teenagers was also growing in age and faith, taking responsibility and joining in ministry. The first marriages within the fellowship followed. The earlier church history recorded 18 marriages at the time it was written—a sign of a new generation of families taking shape.

A season of reflection and maturity

In 2006, the church was left without an eldership. A group of brothers, working in fellowship and harmony with the church, formed a Service Group. It cared for the needs of the community and guided the church until November 2011.

Alongside its day-to-day ministry, this group helped the church through the process of recognising a new eldership. Leadership was then carried by three brothers serving on a trial basis as candidates for eldership. This was a season of transition, reflection, and growing maturity.

In 2013, the church recognised Gentian Jonuzaj, Rezart Lamaj, and Juljan Muhameti as elders. This opened a new stage in the community’s life and ministry.

A shared vision for mission

Following the recognition of the new elders, the church focused on the Great Commission and the question: “Why has God called us to Vlorë at this time?” The commitment was to involve every believer in serving God through their gifts and responsibilities.

The church’s stated vision is to see lives transformed by God’s Word through evangelism, discipleship, and the formation of believers who are focused on mission. It includes training servant leaders by entrusting them with responsibility, and providing a material foundation for serving God’s Kingdom.

Our mission is to show Christ’s love to the people of Vlorë and seek to bring the Gospel to every home in the city. Our story continues with the same calling: to know Christ and make Him known.