Back

December 15, 2017

Josiah Venture's Home

I grew up as a JV missionary kid, and if you know anything about kids who spend their childhoods moving around a lot, you know that for them home is often more associated with people than places. The comfort and stability normally rooted in a familiar country, city, or even building isn’t a certainty they can count on. Their hearts are more grounded in relationships that remain even when the surroundings change.

I relate. However, when I think of my childhood years, there is one place that stands out as special and consistent. A place that is the backdrop of so many of my favorite times with family and friends. A place that has helped shape me into the person I am now and has played a significant role in my development as a Christian. A place that still feels like home today.

Malenovice, Josiah Venture’s training center in the Moravian hills of the Czech Republic, isn’t just a place that feels like home to me, it’s a home to all of Josiah Venture. Over the past 19 years it has served the movement of God among the youth here in Central and Eastern Europe by being a key spot to gather together as the JV family, equip young leaders, and host a wide variety of camps, conferences, and other ministry events.

Home to the JV Family

Malenovice is home to the JV family. Staff members have gotten married there, announced pregnancies, and celebrated holidays. Kids like me have grown up running through the hallways, spending way too many hours playing the game Mafia, having sleepovers, and bonding with friends they can relate to on a deep level.

Laurel Jenkins, one of our JV missionaries, describes the impact of the place this way, “My family and I live in Slovenia. Less than 1% of the population are believers. Day in and day out we live in a culture where it really feels like you are the only one. The only one that believes in God. The only one that is raising kids to follow after Him. The only one doing youth ministry in our country… now this is not true entirely, but it feels that way often. Malenovice is a place that yearly gives us a wider perspective. When we are there gathering for a conference, we see clearly that we are not the only ones. There are so many believers from all over that come together to worship, grow, and learn at Malenovice. It is like a lighthouse for our family; a beacon of hope, if you will, that God is at work here.”

She says that when she thinks of Malenovice, she thinks of crowded dining rooms and rich fellowship, polish pottery symbolizing JV’s love of hosting people and doing it with style, and solid Biblical teachings that have brought life change to her, her family, and many others.

Home to Young Leaders

Malenovice has also been home to the young leaders Josiah Venture equips. Interns have been prepared for their summers of ministry during a stay on the training center’s hill before being sent out to share the gospel at our evangelistic camps throughout the region. Church leaders have met to make important decisions and seek God’s will together under our roof. European nationals have come from miles away to learn how to be more effective in their ministries.

Kuldar Kaljuste from Estonia has been coming to events at Malenovice since 2009, including our annual fall conference especially designed to train national youth leaders like him. He says, “Every September, I get really excited about coming there. I feel how God is asking all of us: ‘Come to this mountain, because I have something to tell you again!’ So every time we try to take as many key youth leaders with us, because each time God is talking to us there so clearly. And I usually go through the year still thinking back on what we heard at Malenovice.”

Andrejs Goloborodko from Latvia says he too has been shaped by teachings at Malenovice. “There are specific things and principles I have learned that I could immediately apply to my life and also teach to others back home…. But it is not just materials and principles that changed my life and other people’s lives. Learning from speakers and teachers while at Malenovice has built me as a whole person. A disciple of Jesus, who makes disciples who make disciples. That has become my goal –to invest in other people, no matter what my position in the Church or on the mission field will be.”

Home to the Ministry

Besides being a place where the JV family can gather together as a unified team, and a place where young, Christian leaders can come for training, Malenovice is also a place where evangelistic ministry happens and young people meet Jesus.

Tereza Steel, a Czech local who has interned with us and attended camp and other church events at our facilities, says she got to be there when her best friend became a Jesus follower in one of the cabins. “It was a clear highlight of my whole high school experience. It happened during a girls retreat…. In the evening, as we were ready to get to bed, my friend looked at me and said: ‘I’m ready to pray the prayer!’ I got to hold her hand as she was being adopted into God’s family –one of the happiest days of my life.”

A Bigger Home

These are just some of the ways God has been using Malenovice to transform people’s lives throughout the years.

But now we are facing a problem. Our home isn’t big enough to house all the JV team members, young leaders, and ministry events as God moves and we grow. Our largest meeting room holds just 150 people, when we have over 400 from across a 14 country region already interested in attending various events.

Maybe you’ve heard that our solution to this is our Event Center project. We will be building a new event center on our 17-acre property that will help us seat, feed, and house more people we want to serve. We are in the final stages of the permit process and hope to break ground this spring.

We have already raised the majority of the money needed, but we could still use your help. Out of the 5.5 million total needed, there is $850,000 to go. Currently, we have a $250,000 match out for gifts given between now and the end of the year.

Would you consider donating towards this project? Click here to learn more about the Event Center and how you can help fuel the movement of God here in Central and Eastern Europe by giving JV a suitable home.

Related Posts

Read Story

Stories

Christmas Traditions

Every culture has its own Christmas traditions. Many of us already have our Christmas trees up, have begun playing our favourite Christmas music, and are checking items off our shopping list. In most European cities, Christmas markets have taken over town squares and observe their own unique traditions for Christmas Day. For example, in Poland, families prepare an extra place at the table in case of an unexpected guest; in Bulgaria, the oldest person in the house breaks open homemade bread with a coin baked inside; and in Czechia, children hide a fish scale under their dinner plate for good luck. Traditions are a wonderful thing as long as we remind ourselves why we keep them. One tradition that has meant a lot to my family and me for many years is lighting an Advent wreath. We usually make ours out of fir branches and four white candles, sometimes adding extra decorations like dried orange slices or pinecones. Then on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, we read from the Bible, say prayers, sing songs, and light the candles in an increasing number: first one, then two, then three, and finally four. This tradition has its origins in the sixth century, and many European churches and Christians practice it. But after such a long time, it is easy to forget what it all means. Here is some of the significance. First of all, Advent derives from the Latin word for “coming, arrival.” It denotes the beginning of the year for Christians, who prepare our hearts for the arrival of God, by both remembering Jesus’ incarnation and anticipating his second coming. The circular shape of the wreath signifies the never-ending nature of God’s love for humanity. The fir branches remind us that, even in the dead of winter, God is at work to bring forth new life. And the successive lighting of the candles signals God’s determination to send his light into the world: the incarnation of his son. We love this tradition, but, to be honest, we don’t always keep it perfectly. This year, we had to dig out some old candles to use for our wreath, we have struggled to get through the Bible readings with our young children, and we often forget to light the right candle on the right day. But God is teaching me that this is alright. The season of Advent, along with its many traditions, is not made more or less meaningful by how faithfully I keep it. The season of Advent is made most meaningful because of how faithful God is at drawing near to us. The Apostle Paul summarised it well: “But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son… so that we might become God’s children.” (Gal. 4:4-5, GNT). This Advent, may you find renewed meaning in your traditions. And may you remember and rely on God, who is most faithful to draw near to those who need his light.
Read Story

Discipleship, Evangelism, Stories

Home

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
Read Story

Stories

A Thanksgiving Challenge and Promise

Philippians 4:4-7 states, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Two things stand out to me from this verse: a challenge and a promise. The Challenge: Christians are commanded to not be anxious about anything. Instead, we are to be thankful. Paul wrote this letter as he was in prison, preparing for his martyrdom. He acknowledged that his entire ministry was in the Lord’s power and he had nothing to be anxious about. Furthermore, his friends were not supposed to be anxious either. Rather, they were to thank the Lord for his provision and truth. In this situation, Paul was not instructing his friends to deny that there was hardship. He admitted that there would be pain in the future. However, with that, the Church was to devote all troubles to the Lord. How would this play out in a modern Thanksgiving Day context? Jenny Llamas was born in the Czech Republic, so she did not grow up with Thanksgiving. Landen, her American husband, did and has had so much fun introducing the holiday to her. From American football to turkey trots to sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, Landen and Jenny love getting to spend Thanksgiving either with their family or at Josiah Venture’s conference center in Malenovice, Czech with Josiah Venture missionaries. One challenge for Jenny, though, has been when people are asked to share what they are thankful for. It’s not the mental search for thankfulness that’s difficult for Jenny. Instead, it’s all the other thoughts that come to her mind too. It’s “the hard things in my life that sometimes even seem louder than the things I’m thankful for,” Jenny said. During these times, she wants to find ways to process and acknowledge times of hardship while also remaining thankful. So, how does Jenny do that when she is reminded of hard times during Thanksgiving? How does she process both pain and thankfulness? Jenny’s favorite part of Thanksgiving is the meal preparation. She has her own quiet time in the kitchen. As she experiments with all sorts of traditional American recipes, she reflects on how God has worked in her life over the past year. She recalls the exciting times of blossoming relationships with friends and the painful memories of things uncertain and hurtful. It’s in these moments that Jenny brings everything to God, both the good and the bad. That’s where the promise of Philippians comes into play. The Promise: In response to giving thanks, the Lord will surround us with his peace. When we submit to the Lord in thanksgiving, he places a spiritual shield around our hearts and minds. He takes us out of a state of fear and provides us with the ability to give thanks in all circumstances. When the meal preparation is complete and Jenny steps out to celebrate with friends, she reminds herself that God wants her to have peace. God has given her a spiritual family with whom she can process heartache and pain. He also provides her with the time to journal, writing down her thoughts as a way of acknowledging hardship and giving it to the Lord. Then, he gives her rest. “I say a quick prayer to the God who sees me,” she said. “I give myself permission to rejoice in what God has done and … take a break from the hard things knowing that God sees them and he holds them.” This Thanksgiving, I invite you to recognize the trials in your life and give them over completely to God. Replace the state of anxiety with the action of thankfulness, preparing your heart for worship as we enter into this holiday season. “The Lord is at hand.” (Phil. 4:5b)