Josiah Venture Stories

In this episode of Josiah Venture Stories, Gwynne Gardner interviews Lelde Keice from Latvia. Lelde became a Christian at 14 through a youth camp and was introduced to Josiah Venture during high school. She later moved to England to pursue an Applied Theology and Youth Work degree at Moorlands College. Called back to Latvia in 2015, she now serves as the Camps Director for JV Latvia and coordinates mission teams.   Gwynne and Lelde discuss the impact of Christian camps on youth, Latvia's spiritual climate, and mission teams' role in local ministries. Lelde shares personal anecdotes and insights on how camps and mission teams foster significant life change and spiritual growth among young people.   Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com Online Prayer Room Summer Internships Mission Trips   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!   Sign-up for our new Monthly Podcast Newsletter!

In this interview, Lee Humerian shares his journey from rock star to full-time missionary in Ukraine. Lee and his wife, Katie, led mission teams to the Czech Republic and then to Ukraine, which sparked their passion for youth ministry, leading them to join Josiah Venture in 2017. They have been deeply involved in various ministries, including Exit Tours and music camps. Due to the war in Ukraine, they have also led trauma-healing retreats. Lee now leads the evangelistic ministry programs team, while Katie handles human resources. They focus on supporting local church leaders and organizing camps for youth. This summer, the camp theme across our 16 Central and Eastern European countries was "Real Life," and Lee wrote the outlines for the evening talks, which focused on the life of the apostle Paul, for over 120 evangelistic camps.  "We can't have the theme 'Real Life' without having stories from our real lives. Your story is powerful. I always think of the verse in Revelation: "We will overcome the enemy by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony." Our stories have the power to overcome the enemy, and so that was my proclamation." -Lee Despite the ongoing war and its impact, their ministry continues to thrive with a commitment to youth and their community. Please continue to pray for an end to the war in Ukraine, and for all of the after-camp follow-up events that are happening right now across all of the JV countries. Pray that young people will come to realize that real life is life with Jesus.    Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com Online Prayer Room Summer Internships   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!

Summer is one of the most exciting seasons across the 16 Central and Eastern European countries where Josiah Venture serves. Local churches are gearing up for camps, short-term teams are arriving, and perhaps one of the most energizing parts of the season—our summer internship program—is officially underway. This program welcomes college students and young adults passionate about spreading the gospel. Interns share their experiences, starting with their Amazing Race team-building exercise and subsequent training in the Czech Republic. In this episode, interns Rosie Kaminski and Inita Gutmane recount their journey to joining the program, experiences during the Amazing Race, training sessions, and the impactful work they are involved in. Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com Online Prayer Room Summer Internships   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!

Summer is one of the most exciting seasons across the 16 Central and Eastern European countries where Josiah Venture serves. Local churches are gearing up for camps, short-term teams are arriving, and perhaps one of the most energizing parts of the season—our summer internship program—is officially underway. This program welcomes college students and young adults passionate about spreading the gospel. Interns share their experiences, starting with their Amazing Race team-building exercise and subsequent training in the Czech Republic. In this episode, interns Julie Weeks, Isaiah Martin, and Adele Tamberg recount their journey to joining the program, experiences during the Amazing Race, training sessions, and the impactful work they are involved in.   Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com Online Prayer Room Summer Internships   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!

Get to know Extended Summer Intern, Aidan Carson, in this episode. Originally from Chandler, Arizona, Aidan majored in civil engineering and worked as an engineer before feeling called to intern. After interning last summer, he’s back for another season, eager to continue building friendships with students and missionaries, make new connections, and help others become disciples of Jesus. Aidan shares his desire to grow in understanding the Czech language and culture, as well as his passion for supporting Edge Sports leaders as they use ultimate frisbee to reach young people who don’t know Jesus yet. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Aidan’s personal faith journey • What led him to serve on mission teams and apply for the summer internship • Why he returned for another internship • How you can pray for him this summer • And more! Join us as we welcome Aidan to the show and hear his heart for ministry in Central and Eastern Europe. Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!

Jesus was more than just a good teacher or an amazing leader.  He embodied all he taught and put flesh on all he communicated.  He was (and IS) the Word, Light, Life, and so much more.  When people encountered him, they were changed in a manner that was hard to explain.  Can we be transformed today in similar ways? The theme of our 2025 Spring Conference was "Jesus Stories: Transformative Encounters with Christ." We were led by Peter Mead, a gifted Bible teacher, author, and pastor from the UK. He guided us through six stories of Jesus from the Gospel of John. This specific talk is called "LAUNCHED" and is the last of this series. Prepare yourself to be surprised and changed through these "Jesus Stories."   Get to know Peter More: pouredout.org www.cordeo.org.uk Biblicalpreaching.net The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Spotify The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Apple Podcasts Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!

Jesus was more than just a good teacher or an amazing leader.  He embodied all he taught and put flesh on all he communicated.  He was (and IS) the Word, Light, Life, and so much more.  When people encountered him, they were changed in a manner that was hard to explain.  Can we be transformed today in similar ways? The theme of our 2025 Spring Conference was "Jesus Stories: Transformative Encounters with Christ." We were led by Peter Mead, a gifted Bible teacher, author, and pastor from the UK. He guided us through six stories of Jesus from the Gospel of John. This specific talk is called "TROUBLED." Prepare yourself to be surprised and changed through these "Jesus Stories."   Get to know Peter More: pouredout.org www.cordeo.org.uk Biblicalpreaching.net The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Spotify The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Apple Podcasts Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com   Book referenced on this episode: Pontius Pilate: A Novel by Paul L. Maier   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!

Jesus was more than just a good teacher or an amazing leader.  He embodied all he taught and put flesh on all he communicated.  He was (and IS) the Word, Light, Life, and so much more.  When people encountered him, they were changed in a manner that was hard to explain.  Can we be transformed today in similar ways? The theme of our 2025 Spring Conference was "Jesus Stories: Transformative Encounters with Christ." We were led by Peter Mead, a gifted Bible teacher, author, and pastor from the UK. He guided us through six stories of Jesus from the Gospel of John. This specific talk is called "DRAWN." Prepare yourself to be surprised and changed through these "Jesus Stories."   Get to know Peter More: pouredout.org www.cordeo.org.uk Biblicalpreaching.net The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Spotify The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Apple Podcasts Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!

Jesus was more than just a good teacher or an amazing leader.  He embodied all he taught and put flesh on all he communicated.  He was (and IS) the Word, Light, Life, and so much more.  When people encountered him, they were changed in a manner that was hard to explain.  Can we be transformed today in similar ways? The theme of our 2025 Spring Conference was "Jesus Stories: Transformative Encounters with Christ." We were led by Peter Mead, a gifted Bible teacher, author, and pastor from the UK. He guided us through six stories of Jesus from the Gospel of John. This specific talk is called "IMPRESSED." Prepare yourself to be surprised and changed through these "Jesus Stories."   Get to know Peter More: pouredout.org www.cordeo.org.uk Biblicalpreaching.net The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Spotify The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Apple Podcasts Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!

Jesus was more than just a good teacher or an amazing leader.  He embodied all he taught and put flesh on all he communicated.  He was (and IS) the Word, Light, Life, and so much more.  When people encountered him, they were changed in a manner that was hard to explain.  Can we be transformed today in similar ways? The theme of our 2025 Spring Conference was "Jesus Stories: Transformative Encounters with Christ." We were led by Peter Mead, a gifted Bible teacher, author, and pastor from the UK. He guided us through six stories of Jesus from the Gospel of John. This specific talk is called "SATISFIED." Prepare yourself to be surprised and changed through these "Jesus Stories."   Get to know Peter More: pouredout.org www.cordeo.org.uk Biblicalpreaching.net The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Spotify The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Apple Podcasts Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!

Jesus was more than just a good teacher or an amazing leader.  He embodied all he taught and put flesh on all he communicated.  He was (and IS) the Word, Light, Life, and so much more.  When people encountered him, they were changed in a manner that was hard to explain.  Can we be transformed today in similar ways? The theme of our 2025 Spring Conference was "Jesus Stories: Transformative Encounters with Christ." We were led by Peter Mead, a gifted Bible teacher, author, and pastor from the UK. He guided us through six stories of Jesus from the Gospel of John. This specific talk is called "Alive." Prepare yourself to be surprised and changed through these "Jesus Stories."   Get to know Peter More: pouredout.org www.cordeo.org.uk Biblicalpreaching.net The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Spotify The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Apple Podcasts Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!

Peter Mead is the director of Cor Deo and part of the leadership team of Trinity Chippenham, a church in the UK Peter helped to plant back in 2014. Peter shares his background, including being raised in a missionary family, his initial resistance to ministry and preaching roles, and how his faith journey led him to embrace these callings. He discusses the inspiration behind the ministry training program Cor Deo, his involvement in church planting, and his approach to preparing sermons and teaching. Peter also talks about his recent venture into podcasting with a focus on preaching and provides insights into his writing process. The episode concludes with Peter's message of hope for the younger generation, emphasizing the transformative power of Jesus. Peter was the main speaker at our annual Spring Conference and his teachings on "Jesus Stories: Transformative Encounters with Christ," will be released on the podcast over the next month. We invite you to listen to these teaching episodes and explore the gospel of John more deeply.  Get to know Peter More: pouredout.org www.cordeo.org.uk Biblicalpreaching.net The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Spotify The Biblical Preaching Podcast - On Apple Podcasts Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!

In this conversation, Josiah Venture alumnus Susan Ellis shares her remarkable journey from a life-changing trip to Europe in 1985 to becoming a Josiah Venture missionary in 1995. She discusses her deep emotional connection with Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland, where she served for 20 years. Susan's work spanned youth ministry, discipleship, marketing, and program development. In 2015, she returned to California to support her aging mother and now serves as the Director of Local Compassion Global Outreach and Congregational Care at her childhood church. Susan underscores the enduring impact of bold faith and discipleship, both of which are cornerstones of her life's work. She also shares insights on being single in ministry and encourages others to take steps towards missions, highlighting the transformative power of serving God full-time.   Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you, friends, and have a blessed day!

Get to know Baška Benešová from Slovakia and be inspired by her incredible journey of faith. She gave her life to Jesus at a youth church camp at the age of 13 and has been involved in ministering to teens and young adults ever since. She currently leads the English camp at her local church and works as the director of pointonline.sk for TCK (Training Center Kompas), providing resources and support for youth leaders. Baška also shares insights into her participation in KPM, the Annual Youth Leaders Conference, and her experience with the School for Youth Leaders.  The episode ends with a heartfelt message on trusting God's plan and the importance of community support. Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com   Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or on your social media. Thank you friends, and have a blessed day!

In today’s special episode of Josiah Venture Stories, we’re live from the Digital Missions Summit in the Czech Republic! This incredible event brings together content creators, influencers, and storytellers from Central and Eastern Europe who are passionate about sharing the gospel in the digital space. Joining me are three amazing guests who are pioneers in using their creative gifts to advance the Kingdom of God online. With a live audience submitting questions, this episode dives deep into the challenges, joys, and strategies of being a Christian content creator in a world dominated by screens. If you’re passionate about using your digital presence to inspire and connect others with the gospel, this episode is packed with insights, encouragement, and practical advice. Guests: Aaron Bratcher, Germany: Pastor and YouTuber / IG: @aaron.bratcher Helenka Ukropcová, Czech Republic: Missionary and Social Media Manager for Josiah Venture, Czech - @kam_cz / IG: @heliiinka Sven Muller, Croatia: Youth Pastor and Content Creator / IG: @sven.marko.muller Key Takeaways: The importance of being a Christian content creator in the digital space. How to balance creating vs. consuming and when and how to rest Why collaboration and community are essential for Christian content creators. Connect with Us: Follow @josiahventure on Instagram Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com Contact: social@josiahventure.com Listener Challenge: What’s one step you can take this week to share the gospel through your digital platform? Whether it’s posting a story, creating a video, or connecting with a follower in need, take the leap and make an impact! Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other creators who might be inspired to join the mission of sharing Christ in the digital space.  

Mark Krupa has been a Josiah Venture missionary for 26 years. He currently works as a Christian coach to young people and youth pastors and serves as the Josiah Venture country leader for Croatia. He discusses his ministry work dedicated to youth ministry and church leaders in the Czech Republic and Croatia. Mark shares his passion for seeing spiritual growth among youth and church leaders, emphasizing the importance of healthy leadership and vibrant youth groups. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Mark also talks about his personal interests, including working on old cars and exploring Europe. He explains his transition to Christian coaching after a decade of traditional ministry, outlining how coaching helps empower leaders by asking the right questions and providing support tailored to individual needs. Mark also gives insights into the spiritual climate in the Czech Republic, the ongoing prayer for revival, and his current responsibilities supporting the Josiah Venture team in Croatia. He ends with an encouraging message for young people to explore the transformative power of Jesus in their lives.   Learn more about Josiah Venture Social Media: @josiahventure Contact: social@josiahventure.com Josiah Venture Prayer Room: pray.josiahventure.com Josiah Venture Prayer Room APP: josiahventure.com/prayer-room-app

Faith Child is a multi-award-winning rapper, presenter, and one of the UK’s top Contemporary Christian Artists. Born and raised in South London, his music is an eclectic blend of Rap, Electro, and Pop. Putting his life experiences into music, Faith Child has a remarkable story that dates back to his birth. His consistent message is, " You are not a mistake. God has a plan and a purpose for every single person." Being a seasoned performer, he has performed in over 20 countries, in intimate settings of 50 people, and to larger audiences of more than 50,000 across Europe, America, and Africa. Faith Child has partnered with Josiah Venture multiple times for Exit Tours for over a decade. We are so thankful for his ministry partnership and for inspiring the next generation with God's love through his music.   faithchildmusic.com Faith Child - Artist Profile on Spotify Listen to "Holy Place" with Faith Child, Joe L Barnes   Learn more about Josiah Venture Social Media: @josiahventure Contact: social@josiahventure.com Josiah Venture Prayer Room: pray.josiahventure.com Josiah Venture Prayer Room APP: josiahventure.com/prayer-room-app

How do you hold onto hope in the midst of war? In this episode, Kristy shares how the team in Ukraine is doing after three years of full-scale, active war. At the end of the episode, she also shares specific ways you can continue to pray as we ask the Lord to bring peace and end the war. You can also support Ukraine by clicking on the following links: Help Ukraine - General Fund Get to Know Our Missionaries in Ukraine Help a Frontline Worker in Ukraine Send a Ukrainian to Summer Camp Kristy and her husband, Ben, have served in Ukraine for 18 years. Their first introduction to Josiah Venture was when they served as high school students in the Czech Republic at English camps. That exposure to peer evangelism started them on a journey with Josiah Venture to share Christ with the youth of Central & Eastern Europe. In 2002, they served as summer interns in Czech before marrying in January 2003. For the next three consecutive years, Ben and Kristy led short-term high school teams from southern New Jersey to the Czech Republic for camp ministry. During these summer trips, they felt God calling them into full-time missions. Josiah Venture suggested that they help launch a new team in Ukraine, and in January 2007, they moved there. After serving as camp directors and in a local youth group for several years, they began leading the Josiah Venture Ukraine team, Epokha, in 2011. Ben and Kristy serve in a dynamic local church, train Ukraine's youth, volunteer with the Department of Education, and teach and equip leaders across Central and Eastern Europe. They live in Lviv, Ukraine, with their children, Marissa and Dylan. 00:00 Introduction to Christy Williams 00:37 Journey to Full-Time Missions 01:07 Life and Ministry in Ukraine 02:19 Family and Personal Background 04:00 Passion for Youth Ministry 05:20 High School Sweethearts and Early Missions 06:09 First Mission Trip to the Czech Republic 09:59 Transition to Ukraine 13:45 Early Days in Ukraine 17:05 Impact of the Ongoing War 27:11 Holding on to Hope in the Midst of War 27:30 The Power of Psalms and Prayer 28:05 Eternity and the Life of Christ 30:13 Team Ukraine's Mission and Resilience 31:33 Stories of Resilience and Transformation 32:41 Challenges and Opportunities in Ministry 37:30 Mental Health and Trauma Care 42:02 Unity Among Churches in Ukraine 45:50 Prayer Requests and Final Thoughts   Learn more about Josiah Venture Social Media: @josiahventure Contact: social@josiahventure.com Josiah Venture Prayer Room: pray.josiahventure.com Josiah Venture Prayer Room APP: josiahventure.com/prayer-room-app

In this episode, John and Erin Kloosterhuis share their journey into missions, starting from their college years, where they felt called to a life devoted to missions and relational evangelism. They discuss their move to the Czech Republic and later to Slovakia to support Josiah Venture's international communications team. John, an assistant communications director and UX design director, and Erin, who works in digital marketing, elaborate on using their skills and passions for God's kingdom. They reflect on the significance of media in missions and share their personal experiences and challenges. They currently live and work in Bratislava, Slovakia, with their two sons, Nathan & Ezra, to continue supporting a growing movement of God among the next generation in Central and Eastern Europe. CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE: JOSIAHVENTURE.COM   Learn more about Josiah Venture Social Media: @josiahventure Contact: social@josiahventure.com Josiah Venture Prayer Room: pray.josiahventure.com Josiah Venture Prayer Room APP: josiahventure.com/prayer-room-app

Get excited for new Podcast content in 2025! For January, we will take a break from the interview-style episodes to share the main talks from our last fall conference, "Word Formed." The fourth and final episode of our "Word Formed" conference series is “Sacred Rhythms, Atomic Habits” with Landen Llamas. In this episode, Landen explores ways to develop consistent, sacred habits of encountering God and His Word. He discusses the struggle of maintaining good habits and introduces insights from James Clear's book 'Atomic Habits,' focusing on how to incorporate these principles into spiritual practices. Landen examines how to cultivate a lifetime of following God through consistent engagement with His Word, drawing lessons from Scripture, such as Psalm 119 and Deuteronomy 6. Thank you for joining us for this teaching podcast. Watch/Listen to more teaching from the "Word Formed" Fall Conference.  Follow @formissioneu on Instagram Praxologie Podcast Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Learn more about Josiah Venture Website: www.josiahventure.com Social Media: @josiahventure Contact: social@josiahventure.com Josiah Venture Prayer Room: pray.josiahventure.com Josiah Venture Prayer Room APP: josiahventure.com/prayer-room-app