Bulgaria

General Description

Bulgaria identifies as an Orthodox country, but less than 1% of its people are professing followers of Jesus. Young people are open and even hungry for spiritual conversations despite skepticism towards the protestant church.

Josiah Venture in Bulgaria is in a phase of solidifying partnerships with local churches and expanding ministry highways to reach young people through sports, wilderness, music, and other youth activities. As a team made up mostly of nationals, interns will serve alongside indigenous leaders within the local church. 

JV Bulgaria interns will help to prepare and facilitate camps as well as ongoing local youth ministries. As they are equipped to fulfill Christ’s commission, interns will participate in evangelism and discipleship through relationship building.

A summer internship in Bulgaria is a stretching experience that allows you to take initiative and lead in a variety of situations and therefore requires a pioneering spirit and a willingness to adapt. We are looking for flexible and teachable interns who want to serve in a highly relational ministry that will be both challenging and rewarding. Interns will grow as leaders, gain competency in church-based youth ministry, and develop skills unique to their area of ministry specialty: wilderness, Edge sports, or media. Every intern can expect to participate in 1-3 camps as part of a high-energy and spiritually-impactful summer. Interns will be mentored by JV staff in Bulgaria and gain a greater perspective of God's calling to make disciples who make disciples.

In Bulgaria, we have a variety of Edge sports leagues that meet throughout the year to train in soccer, ultimate frisbee, and dance fitness. During the summer, interns are a part of ongoing training and sport-specific camps for students to hone their skills and hear the gospel. Interns will teach sports skills, build relationships, and help connect students to the local church. 

Dates of Service

2024 dates will be available in June, 2023

Cost

TBD (includes training, administration, in-field travel, food, lodging and airfare). 

Please note that cost does not include a mandatory background check.

Support

The support raising deadline is May 1. Once an intern has been accepted, the JV office will open an account and the intern will receive a link to access their account online. The account will be updated once per week. These donations are tax deductible and should be made payable and mailed to the JV office. Donations made payable to Josiah Venture cannot be transferred to the ministry of another organization or used for educational purposes, nor can they be returned to the donor.

Travel

International flights will be arranged through Josiah Venture after the first $500 of support is raised by the intern.  A visa is not required.

Vaccinations and Insurance

Up-to-date tetanus, and COVID vaccinations are recommended, but not required for an internship in this country/program. Basic overseas health insurance coverage will be provided by Josiah Venture for all US interns.

Location

The summer begins with a week of training in the Czech Republic. You will then be located at Josiah Venture camps throughout Eastern and Central Europe.

In-Field Transportation

Cars, trains, trams, buses, walking, etc.

Withdrawal

All donations will remain with Josiah Venture.

Application Deadline is January 31, 2024