Andrea and Sheila Crocivera

Andrea grew up in Palermo, a port city on the Italian island of Sicily. As a teenager he chose to dedicate his life to serving Jesus. After high school he attended the University of Palermo and graduated with a degree in social work in 2007.

Throughout his high school and college years, Andrea began leading his church’s youth group. He also helped lead youth events, camps, and evangelistic outreaches. In the summer of 2008, Andrea attended YFC’s General Assembly in South Africa, and this marked an important step in Andrea’s desire to serve the Lord in full time ministry.

Sheila grew up in the States and began considering missions at a young age. She attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where she studied Family Ministries with an emphasis in Program Design. After graduating she decided to serve the Lord in Bologna, Italy for a couple of years, but during that time she decided to prolong her stay.

At the end of her time in Bologna, she and Andrea were both asked to participate in a meeting with Youth For Christ leaders to discuss the possibility of beginning Youth For Christ in Italy. That was a significant meeting because it was the beginning of Andrea and Sheila’s relationship with each other and with Youth For Christ.

In 2009 Andrea and Sheila got married and began serving with Youth For Christ in Palermo. In 2010 they opened My Space, a drop in center that served teens for several years. In those initial years, they also helped lead numerous youth groups throughout the island and organized camps and other events for teens and college students.

After years of dreaming and praying, they began Hope Community in 2017, an outreach ministry for the University of Palermo. They opened The Living Room, an outreach center that has become an important part of their ministry as they share the gospel with students and support them through these important and formative years.

In 2019 Andrea became director of Youth For Christ Sicily and began forming a group of parents and young leaders who are passionate about growing together and reaching young people. He is focused on leadership training, envisioning the next ministry steps, and sharing the hope of Christ with young people. Sheila oversees administration and leads worship for camps and other events.

Andrea and Sheila welcomed their son Gabriel in 2017. He loves the social life that ministry provides.