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October 19, 2016

Summer Potential - Why You Should Be An Intern

The Impact on Students

With the help of 134 interns (92 North Americans and 42 Europeans), over 100 evangelistic Josiah Venture camps took place this summer across 13 different countries in Central and Eastern Europe. At these English, music, and sports camps more than 4,000 young nationals heard the message of the gospel, many for the very first time. Over 500 of them put their faith in Jesus, countless more taking steps closer to Christ.

Ana, Tomáš, Kasia, Michał; one week at camp has the potential to change these students’ lives forever.

In order to see lives changed here in this region, JV counts on our summer interns –young leaders who are devoted followers of God, bold in their faith and passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others.

When asked why interns are important, Dawid Werner, Poland’s English camp coordinator, explains, “In the past, I saw many students coming to camps for the first time because of promoting done by interns in public schools. Many of them gave their lives to God at those camps. I also saw many short-term teams encouraged by help they received from interns. I saw many Polish leaders equipped and empowered by interns during camps. So, if you ask me about the impact interns make, I would say, it is huge and great.”

As Ruthanne VandenBosch, JV intern coordinator expresses, “Interns increase our capacity to reach more young people with the gospel each summer. With hundreds of churches offering evangelical camps during the summer, we just need more workers! Interns help us fill in the gaps, and bring all sorts of energy and enthusiasm to the process.”

The Impact on You

We believe that through committing to a summer of serving with JV your life will also change. For close to three months, an internship is your opportunity to step into what God is doing here, as we pray for a movement of God among the youth of this part of the world. Dawid says that if you take it, “This step will make you more like Jesus. It will shape you and it will draw you closer to Him.”

Ruthanne agrees. “You will experience a new culture, dynamic community, deep levels of discipleship and partnerships with local churches… I love that we offer a summer-sized window for students to see what a lifetime of serving God cross-culturally looks like. As I walk someone through the process of becoming a Josiah Venture intern, I often wonder what incredible path God has in mind for them –how many lives will be eternally changed because of the obedience of these young people who are giving up a summer at home to serve God.”

Don’t take our word for it though. As Elle Olszewski, JV summer intern in Slovenia in 2014 and 2016 says, “Interning is stepping onto the battlefield in Central and Eastern Europe. It is diving into the unknown. And it is sacrifice. But it is a front-row seat to the incredible movement of the Lord in this part of the world. It is witnessing the hope of the gospel radically change lives. And it is the greatest adventure to embark on for your summer.”

Ana, Tomáš, Kasia, Michał; one week at camp has the potential to change these students’ lives forever. Anna, Thomas, Katie, Michael;  just one summer might also transform yours.

Interested in interning with us for summer 2017? Click here for videos and more info on how to apply.

Also, we are currently in the middle of our recruitment tour in North America. Please pray with us that God would provide 200 interns this coming summer, and come see us if you’re around one of the following campuses.

Recruitment Tour Schedule:

  • Chicago, IL – Moody Bible Institute – Oct. 19-21
  • Caronport, SK Canada – Briercrest Bible College – Oct. 24-28
  • Azusa, CA – Azusa Pacific University – Oct. 26-27
  • Wheaton, IL – Wheaton College – Oct. 27-28
  • Milligan College, TN – Milligan College – Oct. 27-28
  • Lynchburg, VA – Liberty University – Oct. 28
  • Anderson, SC – Anderson University – Oct. 31
  • Columbia, SC – Columbia International University – Nov. 1
  • Dayton, TN – Bryan College – Nov. 1
  • Lookout Mountain, GA – Covenant College – Nov. 2
  • Searcy, AR – Harding University – Nov. 2
  • Waco, TX – Baylor University – Nov. 3
  • La Mirada, CA – Biola University – Nov. 4
Amy Nickerson

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Sajmir just wanted to belong. As the youngest son in a Muslim family of eight children, he was expected to serve everyone. Sajmir’s family was oppressed in Albania because they were dark skinned Gypsies. On top of that, during the difficult time after the revolution, his father began drinking and beating his mother. “My father never beat me,” Sajmir said, “but he never showed me love. He never hugged me or kissed me. I never saw a father figure. I was afraid of him. Also, outside in the city, people were not very close to me. I spent most of my time alone, playing soccer alone, or basketball alone.” There was only one soccer field in his village, and when Sajmir tried to join a game, the other kids would kick him out. One day, a group came toward the field and Sajmir began to back away, sure they would ask him to leave. “Will you play with us?” they asked. “You want to play with me?” Sajmir replied. For the first time in his life, someone invited him in. After the game, they invited him to church. “What is a church?” he said. Running home, he asked his parents if he could go. “Don’t go to church,” they answered sternly, “you will shame us.” But the next day was Sunday, and he snuck out when no one was looking. “When I stepped into the church, at the door, someone gave me a hug for the first time in my life,” Sajmir said. “They put me in the first row. I felt like a celebrity. Then I heard the story that someone loves you just as you are, that is, Jesus—as I was, dark skinned, rejected. But still, there is someone who died for me.” “I ran and told my family, but their response was: ’If you go one more time, we will tell your brother to beat you up.’ I went again. My brother beat me up. For three months, I was beaten every week. I was loved and accepted in church, while suffering and being beaten in my family. Then my mom said, ‘Let him go.’” Filled with joy, Sajmir fell on his knees and said, “God, I will serve you wherever you want me to.” That was 25 years ago, and today Sajmir and his family are part of our Josiah Venture team in Albania. Through youth ministry, he recently planted a church called “Mosaic,” which has grown to over 100 people. Every day, young people come after school and in the evening for tutoring, children’s meetings, youth meetings, small groups, discipleship groups, and a very lively Fusion choir. The church is open every day, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and there is always something happening. “Our building is a daily home for everyone; it’s a family,” says Sajmir. “I always remember what God did for me in my youth. My heart is burning to see more young people come to Christ and find that they are loved and belong.” During this Advent season, we remember how Jesus left his home to make a home for us. He was sent to find us, where we play our games alone, and to invite us into his family. He found Sajmir, and you, and me. Thanks for helping us share this good news with young people who are still without a home. Dave Patty President, Josiah Venture
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It takes courage and faith to entrust your dream into someone else’s hands. In 1993, a group of Swiss businessmen became burdened with a vision to reach young people in Romania with the Gospel. Coming from a Brethren background, they contacted a Romanian Brethren congregation in the Western part of the country and asked if they could partner with them to build a camp. Surprisingly, their new friends pointed them to the opposite side of the country, which is the poorest area and the most unreached with the gospel. Though far from their church, they were convinced this region was uniquely strategic for advancing God’s kingdom. Providentially, it was also the home to a stunning mountain range and the cleanest air in the entire country. The Swiss gathered together their limited resources and bought a beautiful piece of land in a small valley with breathtaking views of the nearby peaks. That year, they started hosting tent camps with portable toilets and water straight from the adjacent stream. Many young people gave their lives to Christ, and step by step, the camp began to develop. First, the construction of a main building, then cabins, and sports fields. A young man named Janus trusted Christ there, met his wife through the camps, then went to Bible school and became a missionary in nearby Moldova. After 20 years, the Swiss team felt they needed to entrust their labor of love to an organization that could take it to the next level. After researching many possibilities, they approached Josiah Venture and asked if we would be willing to accept the gift of a fully functioning Romanian camp. This month, the transfer of this unique facility to our JV Romania team was completed. It was an unexpected opportunity, but also an answer to specific prayers. Through another act of God’s providence, Janus and his family agreed to return from Moldova and join the JV team to run and expand the camp. As I write this, I am returning from a visit to Lepsa, Romania, where we drafted a plan to expand the current 80 beds to 200, and use the camp as the base for powerful outreach to thousands of young people in this needy region. It will host some of our English camps, serve as a base for training Romanian youth leaders, and house Edge Sports outreaches. My heart is full of joy at the courage and faith of these Swiss brothers! Pray with us now that the Lord would provide generous resources to make the expansion possible. If God leads you to give an extra gift to this strategic project you can make a donation by clicking here. Thank you for making it possible for us to respond to unexpected opportunities. Thank you, Dave Patty President, Josiah Venture
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