Italy Mission

Come with me to Italy!

 As many of you may know, my wife and I travel to Europe each year. This last year we went to Naples, Italy specifically to meet Doug and Dee Valenzuela, who have been serving as missionaries in Italy for nearly 30 years.

Italy, like most of Europe, knows little of evangelical Christianity. Most of the churches you see in Europe are more museums than centers of worship and ministry. The majority of Europeans gave up on Christianity years ago. When you find a ministry or a functioning church, they are usually few and far between. Sadly, many Europeans hearts are hardened toward the Gospel and they see no relevance to Christianity and their daily lives. European church planting and mission work in general, is a difficult and discouraging process.

 

What we discovered in Naples is a church that defies the statistics. The Valenzuela’s have invested their lives working and serving the people of Naples, Italy. They now have a church of 300 in Casoria and have planted a daughter church in Arzano of 150 people. One of the methods they have used is an evangelistic city festival which draws thousands of people.

We are putting a short-term mission team together (along with other American churches) to go to Naples, Italy to partner with Italian Christians in running this festival. Festival Casoria is nine days and the mission trip is from September 2-16. Would you pray about being a part of Abundant Life’s first Italian Mission team?  Not sure? Need more information? Email me at dennis@coolchurch.com.

Doug Valenzuela to speak at Abundant Life Church

Doug Valenzuela, missionary to Naples, Italy, will be speaking at all five weekend services at Abundant Life Church March 7 & 8. You will also hear a powerful testimony from Antonio Aruta, whose life has been transformed by the power of Christ and is now one of the Pastors serving in Naples. Abundant Life Church will be hosting an informational dessert with Doug and Dee Valenzuela and Antonio Aruta, Sunday, March 8, at 7:00 P.M. in the Community Room. For those who need directions go to www.coolchurch.com. Seating may be limited, so please RSVP to dennis@coolchurch.com .  

DELTA Ministries Partners with Abundant Life Church

DELTA Americans and Italians join forces to reach a city for Christ!  Partnered with veteran WorldVenture missionaries Doug & Dee Valenzuela and the churches of Arzano and Casoria, Italy, DELTA coordinates teams from around the United States in conducting a nine-night Festival.  This high profile event attracts thousands of people every night where they will hear the saving message of Jesus Christ.  Using an interactive evangelistic approach, team members provide relational connecting points with Italians through activities centered on a festival theme.  Gazebos (booths) are set up in a gathering place and the Americans partner with Italian believers to share the love of Christ as guests participate in the various activities. The festival provides a wonderful platform to share God's love in an area of the world where unemployment is at an astounding 55% and hearts are so very hard. Catholicism has a strong grip on the culture of the people in Italy and evangelicals find it one of the most difficult places for the gospel despite the freedom to proclaim the Message of God. 

The impact of the festival reaches beyond the event itself.  Throughout the year, people continue to respond to the Gospel as a direct impact of the Festival.  Missionary Doug Valenzuela writes, "As I gave the closing invitation yesterday in church we had 5 people come forward!  Months before, they had attended the Festival.  The inspirational music, interactive crowd games and evangelistic messages impacted the whole city with the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Consider being one of the 100 short-termers it takes to conduct this life-changing Festival! Please pray about being a part of this key event in the Naples area.