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April 4, 2018

Our Why

Take it from someone who conducts a lot of interviews: asking the right questions is important.

Some of the most significant questions we can ask in life start with the word “why.” Why questions help us understand the motive behind an action; the driving force of any compelling story. They make room for reasons and inspire us to commit to our beliefs. Asking why can allow us to see the needs in the world and find our purpose within it. Why is the foundation we build our lives on.

At Josiah Venture, as we seek to follow Christ’s commission to make disciples, we often get asked about our specific whys. Here are some of those common questions and the answers that keep our team propelling forward in ministry.

Why the name Josiah Venture?

In the Bible, Josiah was only eight years old when he became king of Judah. During a time when most people around him had turned from God and were worshipping idols instead, he chose to leave a different legacy. As young as in his teenage years, Josiah did right in the eyes of the Lord—following the law, rebuilding the temple, and leading his nation to repentance and reformation. He was willing to take risks for God, venturing to say and do what his father and grandfather did not.

Why missions in Central and Eastern Europe?

At one point, countries in this region were godly nations sending missionaries all over the world and spreading revival that has impacted the church for generations since. Today, however, Central and Eastern Europe is a lot like Judah was back in Josiah’s day. While as much as 80 percent of the population here used to believe in God, the statistics are staggeringly lower now; as low as one percent. History took its toll, but since the fall of communism, people have the freedom once again to openly live the lives they want and explore spiritual matters. Josiah Venture does missions here in Europe because we know that God wants to bring his people back to himself, breaking down idols and restoring his church.

Why focus on young people?

As we seek revival here, we recognize that young people have the potential to play a pivotal role in transforming society. God used Josiah to change the hearts of many, and we believe he can do the same using the next generation in this part of the world. With their energy, passion, and openness, young people are poised to fuel the movement and mission of God when they accept his love and good news. We are excited to work with young leaders because they are eager to learn and have years to devote themselves to making disciples who make disciples. The impact they might make can truly change the world.

Why work with the local church?

We know a movement of God has to be rooted in the church. Just as King Josiah worked to see the temple thriving, we delight in witnessing the local church flourish. The church is the bride of Christ, his body, and we value it as such. This being the case, Josiah Venture is a team devoted to actively building up local congregations, providing programs, conferences, and training materials designed especially for them and their needs. All the ministry we do happens in and through the local church community.

Why do what you do?

While we serve in full-time ministry with Josiah Venture, our why is at the forefront of our minds, written on our hearts, and taught to our children. When put simply, our why is that in a garden mankind messed things up by disobeying God, but in a miraculous turn of events he sent his perfect son, Jesus, to take our punishment by dying on a cross. He rose again and has given us the chance to accept his grace. We love him are honored to be invited into his kingdom work. His command is to go and make disciples of all nations. We’ve been invited to do this here among the youth of Central and Eastern Europe, spreading the incredible news that we can have a lasting relationship with the God of the Universe. So, why do we do what we do? Because just as Josiah did back in Scripture, we long to see God’s people repent and reform—leaving a different legacy for future generations.

What why are you building your life on? Can you get behind ours? If so, check out our online Prayer Room where you can pray for current ministry requests, or browse our People and Places pages above to find out more about the JV team and how you can support us.

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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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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)