October 19, 2017

A Summer Well Spent

You can do a lot with your summer.

If you’re a college student, summer break gives you the flexibility and freedom to invest in your future while having fun. It’s the time for stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something exciting that you don’t have space in your schedule for during the school year. Whether working a full-time job to pay off debt, taking an epic road trip with your closest friends, or volunteering more at church or a local ministry, the summer season brings plenty of opportunities for you to serve Christ and challenge yourself while making memories that you’ll talk about for years to come.

One such opportunity is interning with us here at Josiah Venture.

This past summer, with the help of 105 interns (82 North Americans and 23 Europeans), we put on over 100 evangelistic English, music, and sports camps across Central and Eastern Europe, where thousands of young nationals heard the message of the gospel, many for the very first time, and local believers were encouraged to take steps closer to Jesus.

We know you can do a lot with your summer, but here are a few reasons why you should consider spending your next summer interning with us.

The Harvest Needs Workers

Maybe you’ve already heard us talk about the harvest recently. Well, what Jesus called the harvest back in His day –the crowds in need of His hope– is right here and now. Josiah Venture serves a movement of God among the youth of Central and Eastern Europe that finds its home in the local church and transforms society. We do so because only around one in a hundred young people here know that Jesus loves them. We want to change that, but in order to do so, we need workers. You could be one of them.

Chris Cox, one of our Edge International interns last summer, explains it this way, “The fields here are ripe for the harvest. At most of the camps, it was mostly non-Christians….you can probably just love on them and they’ll respond to that….It’s simple, that kid is probably not a Christian and I can share the gospel and it would be the first time they’ve had someone share that with them.”

Partner with us for a summer, and you’ll help fill a need. As Ruthanne VandenBosch, our intern coordinator says, “As we ask God to send more workers into the fields of Central and Eastern Europe, He often answers these prayers through our interns.” Our camps wouldn’t happen without our interns working with us to spread the gospel and disciple young believers.

The Harvest Will Change Others

This need that you’d help fill as an intern changes young people’s lives for the better. There is eternal fruit that comes from your ministry with us. In kicking around soccer balls, in playing funny games, in teaching English idioms, and helping put on concerts you get to be an example of Christ’s love to teenagers who don’t see that very often.

As Kellie Wolff, a 2017 intern in Bulgaria, says, “At the end of the day, it’s not about me, it’s not about my intern team, it’s about Jesus and His light shining. And I truly want to be a part of that in whatever way possible –whether that’s filling up water balloons for people to have a water balloon fight or if that’s taking a girl aside and telling her that she’s loved and accepted by Jesus.”

When you’re willing to be humble and serve God however you can here as an intern, we’re sure you’ll see Him show up and change lives in major ways. Here’s a video of one student in Slovakia whose life was eternally changed by attending a JV camp.

The Harvest Will Change You

Besides helping to reap a good harvest and seeing God change people’s lives, as an intern, we think you’ll see God change things in your own life too.

If you’re like Chris or Kellie, you’ll go home at the end of the summer more motivated and inspired to be intentionally involved in ministry in your local context and having learned significant lessons about who God is and who He’s created you to be.

To encourage you to apply, Kellie says, “College is a time where we’re figuring out who we are. I can’t imagine a better place to do that than overseas serving with other believers.”

You can do a lot with your summer.

What if for your next one you consider interning with Josiah Venture? You’ll get to travel, experience different cultures, make new friends, develop leadership skills, all while having a fun adventure in Europe. Everything you’d want in a summer break, right?

You’ll find though that the JV internship is about a lot more than that, because when you come to serve with us, you’ll be meeting a need for harvest workers, helping to change lives and bring God’s kingdom here in Europe, and seeing yourself change in significant ways as well.

That’s why Chris recommends the internship, calling it a “a summer well spent.”

Do you want to intern with us for summer 2018? Or do you know someone who would make a great intern? Click here for videos and more info on how to apply.

Also, we are currently on our recruitment tour. Please pray with us that God would provide the right interns for this coming summer, and come visit us if you’re around one of the following college campuses.

Recruitment Tour Schedule:

Oct. 23 …Multnomah University and Corban University, OR
Oct. 24 …Sangre de Cristo Seminary, CO and Taylor University, IN
Oct. 25 …Moody Spokane, WA
Oct. 26 …Colorado Christian, CO

Oct. 30 …Covenant College, GA
Oct. 31 …Bryan College, TN

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It is the human condition to dream. Five years ago, I dreamed of starting a podcast for Josiah Venture. I approached the then-director of the International Team, Kyle Evans, and told him of my idea for a Josiah Venture podcast. He asked, “Who do you imagine hosting this podcast?” After a short pause, I replied, “Um…me?” To which he said, “My thoughts exactly.” I knew this was what God was asking me to do.  The podcast, “Josiah Venture Stories,” was officially launched on April 6th, 2021, roughly a year after this initial conversation. It took a little while to get the ball rolling. I needed time to research the best equipment, come up with the name, decide on the format and structure, and everything else that goes with starting a podcast. I enjoy thinking through the strategy and practical steps for a process, and it’s exciting to see a dream become a plan and a plan become reality. A common statistic in podcasting is that 90% of podcasts don’t publish more than three episodes. Many dreams come crashing to a quick end due to the lack of traction and momentum. Some podcasts fail because there isn’t a clear content strategy, episodes are released sporadically, the quality is poor, or proper marketing and promotion are lacking.  To be in the top 1% of podcasts in the world, you only need to publish 21 episodes. This month, the “Josiah Venture Stories” podcast has published 121 episodes featuring various missionaries, Josiah Venture kids, interns, short-term missions team members, alumni, and more. That is something to celebrate! My favorite part of hosting the podcast is hearing about God’s faithfulness, journeys of faith, and the unlikely stories of how people became missionaries. Multiple responses to the question, “How did you know God was calling you to full-time missions?” start with, “Well, I never thought I would be a missionary.” This proves that we never know what God is going to do with our lives or where the roads of life might lead. God simply asks us to trust him. I have repeatedly asked guests on the podcast, “What message of hope would you give to young people today?” The responses are always insightful and inspirational.   Baška from Slovakia said, “I usually tell them to trust God and his plan. I know it’s really difficult, and it seems easy to say but harder to live, but every time that I trusted God, it was better than I expected. Trusting God gave me so much hope and so much peace.” Mark Krupa, a missionary who has lived in the Czech Republic for 26 years, said, “ I would encourage them to look into the living water. Jesus went around saying, ‘I am living water. Come to me and you won’t thirst again.’ Spiritually, young people are hungry, and Jesus can fill them. I would encourage young people to look into what the secret of Christianity is. Colossians 1:27 says, ‘To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ The secret of Christianity is actually Jesus in you.” Not only does this podcast exist to tell long-form stories of the movement of God among the youth of Central and Eastern Europe, but it also encourages the listener as they hear stories for all ages. If you have listened to the podcast once or to every episode, thank you. Would you please consider, not just listening, but also sharing an episode or two with a friend or on your social media? Another thing that truly goes a long way in the podcasting world is reviews. Do you enjoy our podcast? Help more people discover our podcast by following us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and writing us an honest review. Here’s what people are saying about the podcast: “What a rich podcast—full of encouragement, new insights and perspectives about what God is doing in central and Eastern Europe.” -Ben_Rob_27 “Last summer, I went with a group from my church in Colorado to stay in Albania for a month and help with summer camps. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! One of my favorite parts about this experience was hearing the life stories of the people in charge, how they came to be a part of this amazing organization, and their hearts behind the ministry that they are doing. This podcast gives you an even deeper and wider insight into the organization as a whole. You are able to hear what is truly going on in different countries from those living there. It’s so inspiring as a young adult to hear the ways God is moving through the faithful servants he has called to make an impact on people my age and younger. Thanks for sharing these stories!” -Kiko1170 Thank you for listening, investing in the ministry of Josiah Venture, and hearing the stories of our missionaries.

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Dear Friends, What happens when we say “yes”? Ermal was obsessed with soccer as a child and headed to university in his home country of Albania with the dream to become a famous professional player. He never quite made the top level of performance required and was deeply discouraged. At the same time, he was growing in his relationship with God under the disciplemaking care of a local pastor. Hearing God’s call into ministry, he said “yes” to a major life change and returned to his small village to shepherd a local congregation of just 35 believers. But his passion for young people–⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and for soccer–⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠never left. So, when our JV Albania team approached him four years ago with the invitation to join JV and develop a sports ministry in his church and throughout his valley, he heard the call of God and said “yes.” In just a few years, Ermal had started Edge Soccer teams in six villages with no prior evangelical witness, reaching over 60 young people every week. A part of every practice was a short Bible study, and the young boys were relationally shepherded to faith in Christ. After a time of prayer in early November of 2024, Ermal came to his wife Nertila with an outlandish vision. “I believe God is calling us to share the gospel with 1000 young people before Christmas.” “Are you kidding me?” his wife replied. “I was thinking like a human,” she later shared. “How can we reach 1000 kids in such a short period of time?” “I don’t have any ideas,” Ermal said, “but I think God is calling us.” “I was very challenged,” Nertila reflected later, “and didn’t know how to handle that pressure. But then I said, ‘Here I am God, if you want to use us. Let your will be done.’” Then, out of the blue, a call came from Operation Mobilization, who wanted to send 6 people from Moldova to help with whatever they wanted. Ermal said “yes.” Next, Ermal had an idea to request 1000 Shoebox gift packages from Samaritan’s purse. It was an unusual request, but they said “yes.” He contacted six schools and asked if he could share the story of Jesus at Christmas.  Albania is historically Muslim, and the directors are not allowed to do anything religious in the school building. “Would you be willing to talk to our students outside?” they asked. He said “yes.” It was a simple program. Two songs, a 15-minute message about Jesus, and heartfelt testimonies from the Moldovans. And, of course, some shoebox gifts. But the students were very open, and many asked to hear more about Jesus. Others gave their addresses and wanted to join the youth activities. The director of the largest school is now meeting regularly with Ermal for Bible study.  When Christmas came, they counted the numbers and realized that over 1000 young people had heard a clear gospel message in just a few short weeks. A simple “yes” to the call of God brought miraculous fruit. This month, you also said “yes” through your gifts and prayers. Thank you.