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November 23, 2017

Thanks For the Harvest

Back when living on farms was common and farmers made up well over half the North American workforce, Thanksgiving was celebrated as a way to give thanks for the year’s harvest. Though I feel far removed from the fields of those farmers and know next to nothing about agriculture, this year I find I’m more grateful than ever for good fruit and our God who blesses us with it.

There are a couple of clear reasons for this newfound appreciation for sowing seeds and reaping rewards. For one thing, Josiah Venture has recently been talking a lot about the spiritual harvest Jesus speaks of in places like Luke 10. Maybe you’ve seen our From the Harvest, To the Harvest videos or social media posts. On top of that, I’ve now lived as a missionary in Europe for over a year and have had many opportunities within that time to see and be a part of how God is moving.

So, in this season of gratitude, and as many JV team members gather at Malenovice this week to eat pumpkin pie and enjoy being together, here are some of the things I’m remembering to thank God for.

Past Seasons

Last year, at JV’s Fall Conference, the theme was Inspire and we explored what we could learn from the Moravians in the 1700s who followed God passionately and spread seeds of the gospel across the globe. I’ve attended a lot more of our organization’s events since then, but I still regularly think about the faith-filled men and women who devoted their lives to the harvest in the past.

The fact is not lost on me that those Europeans, from right around the area I live in now, sowed the very seeds that grew into the “Great Awakening,” shaping not only the UK, but also the North American church, which led to my personal faith in Christ today. As I walk down cobblestone streets here, I see traces of the legacy they left. This place echoes with praises from the past. These fellow Christians, as well as the many around the world, both before and after them, labored for the sake of the gospel and now we get to enter into their worship. This inspires me, making me wonder what people in the future will say of our legacy, and leaving me thankful for godly examples of those who worked in the fields before we got here.

The Fields

Which leads me to the fields that Jesus says are “ripe for the harvest.” This year, I am also thankful for the opportunities God has given Josiah Venture and myself to be involved in His harvest through working in the fields. For us, the field we focus on is in Central and Eastern Europe. Revival was real here in the days of the Moravians, but communism changed the atmosphere, and those who know Jesus personally are now harder to find.

In Romania this summer, I noticed a teen at the mall wearing a t-shirt with big, bold letters that read: My life is only mine. That kid, like so many of his postmodern peers, doesn’t realize the joy, hope, and purpose that’s found in living for more than yourself; being a part of something bigger than you could have dreamed up on your own.

I pray that this would change. That someday, that guy and his friends would get the chance to live for God instead. This is why JV does what we do –because the fields are here, right in front of us and they are ready for growth. I’m thankful that this is the case.

The Workers

Another thing I’m thankful for is that we get to serve Christ together. You, who read this blog and pray for JV and give toward our ministry and come on short-term teams and internships, are as much a part of fueling this movement of God as those of us who are full-time JV employees. We are thankful for all of you who make it possible for us to be here impacting the Kingdom of God and who believe with us in our mission, vision, and core values.

Besides all of you, I get to work alongside an amazing group of full-time staff who are committed, creative, compassionate people who love Jesus and others well. Every day, I am challenged and encouraged by the dynamic community I get to be a part of and feel so privileged to get to see God work in and through the members of the JV team.

More and more, we are also seeing God raise up young leaders across this region; disciples making disciples, from the harvest, to the harvest. As I get to travel a lot for work and sit down often to hear stories about what is happening, these nationals are some of my favorite people to connect with and the ones who get me the most excited about things to come.

The Fruit

While I spend a lot of my time communicating the need for a movement of God here in Europe, this article wouldn’t be complete without remembering that God is already producing a lot of good fruit.

This summer, we put on 120 evangelistic camps through local churches in 13 European countries. Around 2,800 young people heard the gospel and almost 600 of them made professions of faith in Jesus Christ. Our evangelistic activities across JV’s ministries continue to expand and this year over 12,500 unbelievers heard the gospel through these events, around 1,870 making a profession of faith in Christ as a result. On the discipling and training front, our JV staff have led over 7,350 people in disciple-making activities this year and have trained over 5,600 young leaders at conferences and other events.

That’s just a brief look into some of the numbers, but what is more important is that each one of those numbers represents a person with a name, face, and smile. Someone who has beliefs about life that drive their decisions and behaviors in the day to day. These people were created by God and are extremely loved by Him, whether they think that’s true or not, and this year, they made steps closer to Him. Closer to the Lord of the Harvest who brings everlasting fruit. When I think about that, it’s easy to be thankful.

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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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