In Chianciano, Italy, on April 27th, 2007, the General Assembly of pastors of the Assemblies of God in Italy elected as their new president, Felice Antonio Loria. Brother Loria becomes the third president of the largest evangelical movement in Italy. The first president of the ADI, (Assemblies of God in Italy) was Umberto Gorietti who served as pioneer leader from 1959 to 1977. The second president was Francesco Toppi who served with great distinction leading the ADI to full legal recognition with the government, from 1977 to 2007.
Felice Antonio Loria comes to the office of president of the ADI from a long ministerial experience in the Southern Italy region of Calabria. He has served as the senior pastor of two churches in that region, Caccuri since 1968, Cosenza since 1976. Under his leadership these churches have grown strong.
Among many other responsibilities, Brother Loria has served as District Superintendent of the Calabria region. He was also the District director of the large Christian summer camp in Calabria known as “Zion”, where over the years, thousands of young people have attended and have grown in faith, have been saved, and received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Brother Loria married Esterina Rauti in 1970 and they have three very successful children who are serving the Lord, Francesco, Carolina and Gloria. Esterina, is the daughter of one of the great pioneers of the Pentecostal movement in Calabria, Francesco Rauti.
Brother Loria received his Doctorate in History and Philosophy from the University of Perugia in 1973. He has taught in public high schools for 35 years.
He has served on many different committees. He was chairman of the radio ministry in Italy known as, “Radio Evangelo”. He served as chairman and coordinator of the recent renovations at the orphanage called “Bethany Village” outside of Rome, and also of the retirement home near the same location, called “Emmaus”. He has also served as academic dean of the Italian Bible Institute. He is constantly invited to speak at conferences and special church gatherings. Brother Loria, born in 1946, in a small rural Calabrian town, Caccuri, represents the emerging leadership of the post World War II generation.
Loria brings to the office of president of the ADI a sincere and humble spirit realizing as he said, “Brothers, I am not prepared for this task, therefore I cannot do this without the help of God and without your comprehension, cooperation and prayers.” He gives strong emphasis to biblical preaching and to the discipleship of the believers. He preaches that every believer needs to be serving the Lord.