/I CALL TO ITALY

FOR

STEYE AND YALERI HERRICK

Call To Italy For Steve And V a 1 e r i

f/hat has already been done in Italy?

During World War II, Guy Mayt'ieid was stationed in southern Italy asa chaplain. While there he met Giuseppe Settembrini who asked Guy foronly one thing, to promise to return and help spread the good news of theGospel.

On August 7th, 1947, Guy kept his word.The Mayfield family, together with Betheen Grubaugh (a missionary

nurse), returned to Italy. During the next two years they were joined byCharles & Mary Francis Phipps and Evelyn Jones. Mac k Wilma Coffeytollowed in January of 1953, Charles & Jesse Lee Troyer in May of 1953.

These first years were spent working with a small nucleus of believers and establishing a Bible institute. Although the institute closedits doors five years later for lack of funds and manpower, several youngpeople who were trained there became the leaders in developing Italiancongregations.

Today, the grandchildren of those first students of God's word arenow faithful members of the Church, evidence of the blessings of Godthrough the generations.

In 1964, Harold & Enid Fowler came to Italy, and were followed byRoy & Barbara Goldsberry. Both couples located in unchurched areas: Romeand Taranto, respectively.

Jim & Caranita Wolsieffer, missionary interns from Johnson ChristianCollege in 1971, returned to Italy in 1977. They have since developed athriving radio ministry. "Radio Incontro" (Encounter Radio) reaches intothousands of homes and shops in southern Italy, and has produced numerousleads for evangelistic follow-up.

In just the last few years, Charles k Ivia Phipps have returned toItaly as have Ryan & Carrie (Fowler) Carr, and Jim & Charlea Cormode.Dan & Linda Flory are also now on the field.

Throughout the years the native Italians have grown steadily intheir faith, commitment, and love for the Lord. Vito & Franca Gentilework with a church in Ciampino; Giuseppe & Rosetta Italiano are with thechurch in Terracina; Vito Ligorio is preaching in Latiano and the surrounding area; Giuseppe (Pino) Neglia works closely with the Troyers inLecce; and the Vincenzo Petronelli family work as missionaries in Li lie,France. The men of the Bari church have accepted responsibility of leading the congregation since the death of Malcolm Coffey.

Is there really a need for more missionariea in Italy?

Consider: Italy is roughly the size of the State of Arizona, butholds over 57 million people, one-quarter the population of the entireInit.ed States! Nearly 100 Italian cities have populations of 50 thousandand more. Most of these are surrounded by smaller towns and villages.

Serving these millions of souls are less than 2 dozen New Testamentcongregations. TWO DOZEN! That number includes the non-instruments IChurches of Christ, of which not all are open to fellowshipping with the•' ins trumental ists . "

Adding to the need, death has taken Malcolm Coffey t 12/31/S5) andbuy Mayfield (12/20/87) from the work. Illness has also taken the Carrs))ack to the Statesi, and seriously affected other missionaries.

But ian't Italy already a "Cbriatian'* nation?No. It is true that the Roman Catholic Church has been

accepted as an Italian cultural traditionf but these traditionshave not made Italy "Christian."

Most Italians are familiar with Biblical stories andcharacters, but these people are equally familiar with patronsaints, the veneration of Mary, and other very non-Biblicalconcepts and practices. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church inItaly has presented these practices as equally important asScriptural teachings.

Even the Catholic Church has lost much of its influence inItaly. Although 90% of all Italians are baptized into theCatholic Church as infants, only 52% consider themselves practicing Catholics by the time they are adults. A full third of thecountry votes communist in general elections, and the Red Brigadeactively promotes terrorism throughout the country.

Italy is a nation cynical about The Church; any church. Theinconsistancies of the Roman Catholic hierarchy have been welldocumented throughout the centuries, and many Italians view theinstitutional church as Just another wealthy business, out toprotect its own interests.

The Joy of salvation, the Lordship of Christ - these are newrealities which have no part in the cultural traditions.

We are in Italy not only to acquaint people to the idea ofJesus, but to introduce them to the New Life He came to give!

How bmve we prepared for tbi" nttHing?Steve:

I am fortunate: I was raised in a Christian home, anddedicated myself to the Lord's work during my high school yearsin Ames, Iowa. Following graduation I was accepted at OzarkBible College (now O.C.C.).

My interests were in music, but my first (and last!) week ofOBC's music theory course convinced me that if I had gifts, theymust lay elsewhere. I continued my vocal education, but shiftedmy major to the New Testament program.

My desire to reach the Italian people began to take formduring OBC's "Missions Emphasis Week" in October of my Freshmanyear.

I can see now how the Lord was preparing me for this moment.I had studied one language in high school and was interested inlearning others - including Italian; I was interested in theItalian culture and lifestyle (especially the food!); and I waslearning that my relationship with Christ was more important thanany other. Also, an Italian missionary, Harold Fowler, had begunas OBC's annual mmissionary-on-campus professor.

Throughout that week in October I listened and learned. Avision for missions caught hold, and for the next three years mycommitment to take the Gospel to the Italians grew. At the endof my Junior year at OBC I left for Italy to spend three monthsin a study of the mission field and to help in any way I could.

My internship stretched me spiritually. It helped me tobetter comprehend the Italians' need for the Gospel as well as myability to fit in with the people. I became very good friendswith one Italian my age. Even though we could not understandeach other verbally, we comunicated very well.

I completed my internship, confident of my calling. I would

It is certainly no coincidence that after investigating the Italianmission field and commiting myself to service there, God brought Valeriinto my life. She too had decided to serve God in Italy, and was planning to return there. This fact alone made her interesting, but once Igot to know her... well, we were married on January 12, 1985.

Valeri;

My parents, Malcolm and Wilma Coffey, have been ministering in Italysince 1953. I was born in Bari, Italy, in 1960, and with the exceptionof our furloughs, I was raised there until I was fifteen. My schooling,social background, and mother tongue are Italian. 1 did not becomecomfortable with English until we moved to the States while I was in highschool.

At the age of seventeen I entered Cincinnati Bible College (CBC),where I spent the next five years earning an Associate's degree inEnglish Bible and a Bachelor's degree in Education.

After graduation, two temporary Jobs, and some serious soul-searching, I began teaching in a pre-school in 1983. I was administrator of"Our World," a pre-school/day-care program located in the White OakChristian Church building in Cincinnati (now Apple Blossom Child Care).

I have always felt called back to Italy. In 1978 I returned on asummer internship. For the first time I really saw "my" country as amission field, not just home. I was responsible for teaching VacationBible School and camp classes, doing office work, and attending to themultitudes of details that arise in any mission. My parents related tome not only as a mother and father, but as senior missionaries, sharingwith me the essence of their thirty-plus years: to spread the hope wehave in Christ. .

Since returning to the States my desire to begin ministering inItaly has grown steadily. For me, Italy is not only home, but a "fieldwhite unto harvest."

In August of 1983 I discussed with my parents my desire to return toItaly. Three months later, visiting a friend in Joplin, Mo., I metSteve, who was making plans to return to Italy as soon after his graduation as possible. Now, we are in Italy together!

W!iat have we done in Italy?

In October of 1986 we located in Perugia, home of a university andlanguage institute. Our studies began right away in October lastingthrough November of 1987, with a two month summer break to allow us toparticipate in Christian camps and other activities. Steve studiedlanguage skills (missionaries on the field had advised us that this isthe most effective way to master the language in the shortest time).Valeri took three months of advanced studies in Italian history and artsto further prepare us to understand.the culture that we must make ourown. During our 13-month stay in the city we had the priviledge oflending a hand to Ryan & Carrie Carr and their work. Unfortunately, dueto his health problems and their departure, the work did not continue.However, seeds were planted that we pray with time will grow and showfruit. We try to keep in touch with some of our contacts that we made inPerugia, praying that the Lord will continue to work in their lives.

With the end of our studies, we are now locating a few hours southof Perugia in a town called Sulmona, near Pescara (see map at back). Thetown has a population of approx. 30,000, which along with the denslypopulated surrouding area, amounts to about 200,000 people: all thesepeople with no evangelical work in the immediate area. The only non-catholic work is the Jehovah's Witnesses (which is very strong in thatarea), so we really have our work cut out for us!

Church planting! evangelism, and shepherding are among a few of theministries we plan on. A contact tool that we plan to use is teachingEnglish lessons to any interested individuals. Many are searching forgood English teachers (English being the international language & necessary in many situations). This would give us two important things, one,that essential initial contact, and two a position and reason to be inthe community. We will be attending the church in Pescara until we haveestablished a group of believers large enough to survive alone (4 or 5family units). We also share a special burden for the youth in existingchurches. We have some experience in youth programming and Bible lessons, and expect this area of ministry to be a substantial challenge.

We intend to do in Italy what we have done in the States: use ourskills and gifts to proclaim the Gospel, and teach the converts to belike Jesus. The approaches we take and the programming we use will betailored to the Italian culture, but our goals remain the same.

We taught classes for Suhday School and other church oriented activities in several churches during our collegiate years. During Steve sschooling, he had a year's experience in slide production with ImpactBrass and Singers and dramatical presentations done by the group.

We prepared through our collegiate studies, and have carefully examined the mission field waiting for us. We served on the White Oak evangelism team for a short period before leaving. We also helped in theestablishment of a shepherding program while there.

We bring to the challenge placed before us by God, willing heartsand faithful minds. We hope you will consider being our partners forspreading New Testament Christianity in Italy!

Family Information:

As of January 7th, 1988 the two of us became three. Micah Davidjoined the ranks on the Italian soil. He was born weighing 3.5 kg. andmeasuring 50 cm. (71bs lloz. k 19 in.). Many have contributed in clothing and food to help us. We hope support will increase to meet the increase in expenses and decrease in value of the dollar. ^

The Lord's timing is always right. When we were really ready tomove (after having the baby in Bari), the Lord made an apartment available, one that was far better than any we had seen up to then, yet costing less than others we had heard of like it.

Our new address is: Via Valle 2/A$7039 Sulmona (AQ)

Italy

Forwardinjir Attenta:

Gary & Louise (Siebert) Feldmann have chosen to work with us in themission. They are our stateside contacts.

Gary works for a Cincinnati firm as a Computer specialist. He andLouise were married in May of 1987, at which point he joined our team.

Louise graduated from Cincinnati Bible College in May of 1981.Previously she was a fund-raiser and public relations person for themini Children's Christian Home. Currently she is the administrator ofApple Blossom Child Care Center, which is located in the White OakChristian Church building. u i a

They bring to our team experience and dedication - to the Lordfirst, to our goal second.

Their present address is: 6038 Monticello Dr.Cincinnati, OH 45224

Phone: (513) 681-8411 - Home(513) 741-8882 - Office (Louise)

Any funds for the mission should be sent to the following name andaddress:

Southern European Evangelism MissionP.O. Box 39741

Cincinnati, OH 45239

SDonaorina Churches:

White Oak Christian Chur'bh, Cincinnati, OH, where we were activelyparticipating while in the States, has chosen to be our sponsoringchurch. The Eldership, having considered us and the mission, is willingto provide us with spiritual leadership.

Our other supporting churches are:1) Blendville Christian Church, Joplin, MO;2) Centerville Christian Church, Centerville, OH;3) Church of Christ, Earlham, lA;4) Farraville Church of Christ, Farmville, VA;5) First Church of Christ, Ankeny, lA;6) North Grand Church of Christ, Agps, lA (Steve's home);7) Racine Christian Church, Neosho, MO.

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