In this special Thanksgiving episode of Josiah Venture Stories, host Gwynne Gardner shares reflections from Josiah Venture missionaries across Central and Eastern Europe. They express gratitude for God's faithfulness, share favorite Thanksgiving dishes, and highlight meaningful Bible verses. Stories include experiences from the following missionaries:

🇸🇰 Darina Malá / Slovakia 🇸🇮 Kingsley Hunnicutt / Slovenia 🇺🇦 Hayley Arnold / Ukraine 🇵🇱 Caleb Tedder / Poland 🇱🇻 Katka Roney / Latvia 🇪🇪 Garrett Haas / Estonia 🇨🇿 Daniela Dickson / Czech Republic 🇭🇺 Maggie Bella / Hungary 🇦🇱 Ioani Dhima / Albania 🇷🇴 Adina Oaie / Romania 🇭🇷 Mark Krupa / Czech Republic & Croatia

We invite you to reflect on what you are thankful for in this season, and we ask you to join in praying for God's movement across Central and Eastern Europe.

Connect with Us:

• Follow @josiahventure on Instagram
• Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com
• Contact: [email protected]
• Online Prayer Room
• Prayer Room App
• Summer Internships
• Mission Trips

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In this insightful session, Jonathan Ogden, a Manchester-born singer-songwriter with a background in graphic design and former lead singer of the band Rivers & Robots, shares his personal and creative journey at Media Academy in the Czech Republic.

He reflects on his upbringing in a large Christian family and how his faith became a personal commitment during his teenage years. Jonathan discusses his extensive involvement in music and creativity from a young age, his passion for creating and storytelling, and how he combined his interests in animation, graphic design, and music.

He also discusses the formation of his ministry, Magnify Studios, which aims to provide resources and build community for Christian artists, as well as the challenges and opportunities of using social media for promotion. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of authenticity, trust in God, and continual learning in the creative process.

He answers questions from the audience on topics such as the role of the church in supporting creatives, overcoming creative blocks, and navigating the impact of AI on music. Jonathan concludes by underscoring the significance of staying rooted in faith and the community in the creative journey.

Learn more about Jonathan:

• His Website
• Follow on Instagram
• Check out his music on Spotify
• Learn more about Magnify Studios

Connect with Us:

• Follow @josiahventure on Instagram
• Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com
• Contact: [email protected]
• 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!

Diana "DU" Anton serves in Bucharest, Romania, alongside her husband Bogdan. DU shares her spiritual journey from a young age and her calling into full-time ministry with Josiah Venture. She recounts her initial resistance to ministry, her supportive family, and her life's work in discipling young women and promoting the gospel. DU also details her personal challenges and triumphs, including her journey to marriage at 34 and the miraculous birth of their son, Adam, after years of struggle with infertility. The interview provides deep insights into the spiritual climate of Romania, DU's faith-driven life, and her hope and encouragement for young people today. Connect with Us:

• Follow @josiahventure on Instagram
• Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com
• Contact: [email protected]

Learn About our Team in Romania

• Online Prayer Room
• Summer Internships
• Mission Trips

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In this podcast episode, Mateja Todorovska shares her remarkable journey from growing up in a Catholic church to becoming deeply involved in New Age practices and the occult. After believing she was serving God through these practices, Mateja's life changed dramatically in December 2018 when she encountered Jesus while watching a YouTube video. This revelation led her to repent and fully embrace Christianity, even leading her former New Age followers to Christ. Mateja lives in Slovenia with her family, works with Josiah Venture, and is committed to helping others through her faith. Mateja also provides guidance on how to engage lovingly with those who are still involved in New Age beliefs.

Connect with Us:

• Follow @josiahventure on Instagram
• Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com
• Contact: [email protected]
• 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!

Discover the heart behind the Josiah Venture Fall Conference, featuring insights from Rob Chestnut and Brooke Stevens. They share the significance and purpose of the annual training and equipping event, detailing its varied history and evolution over the years. They explore this year's theme, 'Victorious: Equipped for the Battle, Anchored in Christ,' and share their personal experiences and insights into spiritual warfare. "There's a spiritual shift that's taking place in this next generation, like in ways that we really haven't seen before." -Rob "Is Jesus getting the headline of the story that I'm telling right now when it comes to spiritual warfare, or am I giving the headline to the enemy? He doesn't deserve and should never have the headline. That's why this is "Victorious"." -Brooke We invite you to join us in prayer for this year's conference!

• Pray for clarity and wisdom for our speakers.
• Pray that this conference would be Spirit-led!
• Pray for smooth and safe travel for everyone coming to the conference.

Connect with Us:

• Follow @josiahventure on Instagram
• Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com
• Contact: [email protected]
• 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 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: [email protected]
• 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: [email protected]
• 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: [email protected]
• 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: [email protected]
• 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: [email protected]

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!