Fuggedaboutit: Missionary to Sicily gets the job done

Dateline May 25, 2005
From Lark News

PALERMO — Long known as a pastor's graveyard, Sicily's capital city now has its first mega-church, pastored by missionary Robert Bendeto of Cleveland.

"We've got a good outfit here," Bendeto says, sitting in the office of Palermo Christian Church and Waste Management Company. "I adapted to local culture. Now the church family is getting bigger every week."

On weekdays, evangelism teams go door to door to "persuade" locals to attend. On Sunday morning the worship band, made up of a dozen violins, plays a tense version of "Lord, I Lift Your Name On High."

"Get up right now and praise the Lord!" the song leader commands, and people jump to their feet. Later, the associate underboss gives the announcements and invites everyone to "pay tribute to the Big Don" with their tithes and offerings. People stream forward to drop money into a basket held by a no-nonsense usher in a pinstripe suit and dark sunglasses.
Bendeto's sermon from the book of Proverbs is titled "How to be a Wiseguy, Not a Jamook." He ends with a "shakedown" as a lone violinist plays a haunting rendition of "Just As I Am."

"God did a favor for you a long time ago," Bendeto says. "It's time to return that favor. The books are open for you right now. If you don't come forward, who knows? You might have trouble this week. Crazy things happen. Come show your respect to the Big Don."

Ushers nudge some people and indicate they should go forward. Dozens kneel at the altar, some warily.

As the church gains control over more neighborhoods, Bendeto's ambitions are growing. He recently planted a church in Newark, N.J., with the help of financial backers in Sicily. He hopes one day to have churches up and down the East Coast of America.

"We succeed because we get the job done," Bendeto says. "End of story."