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Josiah Venture Stories

Josiah Venture Stories

By: Gwynne Gardner
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Josiah Venture is a non-profit mission organization that equips young leaders in Central and Eastern Europe to fulfill Christ's commission through the local church. We want to see passionate followers of Jesus Christ with a vision to reach and disciple their generation for him. This podcast is about sharing life-changing stories from on-the-ground missionaries and the local people they work with to inspire and fuel the movement of God in Central and Eastern Europe.2024 Christianity Spirituality
Episodes
  • A Summer on Mission: Meet the 2026 Interns

    A Summer on Mission: Meet the 2026 Interns
    Jun 9 2026

    Summer ministry is underway across the 16 countries where Josiah Venture serves, and this episode introduces several of the 2026 summer interns (Rachel Langley-Slovenia, Vince Johnson-Czech Republic, Aaron Connors-Ukraine, Anya Mediakovska-Ukraine, Isaiah Jackson-Latvia, Ryan Kepler-Estonia, Talitha Bowman-Ukraine, & Masha Horova-Ukraine), who are stepping into a season of service across Central and Eastern Europe.

    Hosted by Julia Budd, this episode features conversations with interns serving in Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Latvia, and Estonia. They share how God led them to Josiah Venture, what they learned through the Amazing Race and Intern Training, and what they are hoping God will do in and through them this summer.

    From returning interns continuing relationships with students, to Ukrainian interns serving their home country in the midst of war, to young adults discerning long-term missions, each story points to a shared desire: to make Christ known and serve the local church.

    We invite you to pray for all the interns as they begin summer ministry — for bold gospel conversations, unity in teams, strength for Ukrainian leaders, wisdom in cross-cultural ministry, physical endurance, spiritual rest, and students across Central and Eastern Europe to take steps toward Jesus.

    Specific prayer requests for each intern can be found in our Online Prayer Room, linked below.

    Connect with Us:

    • Follow @josiahventure on Instagram
    • Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com
    • Contact: social@josiahventure.com
    • Online Prayer Room
    • Prayer Room App
    • 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!
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    45 mins
  • Eric Mayer's Extended Summer Internship Journey

    Eric Mayer's Extended Summer Internship Journey
    May 26 2026

    Eric Mayer, a 25-year-old extended summer intern with Josiah Venture serving in Estonia, is from Southern California and a Grand Canyon University marketing and advertising graduate with a minor in Christian studies. He shares his background in sports (especially soccer), faith journey, and church involvement.

    Eric's journey with Josiah Venture began with a two-week Mission Team trip to Ukraine, where he participated in a Fusion Camp. Though not a musician himself, he quickly discovered a passion for building meaningful relationships with young people and sharing the hope of Jesus through conversations, mentorship, and teaching advanced English.

    Recently, Eric has been focusing on the EDGE Sports ministry in Estonia and will help lead the Estonian intern team this summer. Having played sports his entire life, he loves using athletics, competition, and team-building experiences to connect with students and point them toward Christ. Eric is passionate about creating spaces where authentic relationships and Gospel conversations can thrive. As he returns for another summer of ministry, he's especially excited to continue growing relationships with students he met last year, step into greater leadership opportunities, and prayerfully discern what long-term ministry with Josiah Venture in Estonia could look like.

    Connect with Us:

    • Follow @josiahventure on Instagram
    • Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com
    • Contact: social@josiahventure.com
    • Online Prayer Room
    • Prayer Room App
    • 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!
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    51 mins
  • Inspiring Hope Through Music with Nadiya Vorobyova

    Inspiring Hope Through Music with Nadiya Vorobyova
    Apr 21 2026
    From launching youth programs to inspiring leaders, Nadiya Vorobyova's journey amidst the war in Ukraine will move you. Join us for insights on leadership, faith, and the power of community. Find out how she's using music as a tool for transformation in trying times.

    Nadiya first connected with Josiah Venture in 2008 through an English camp at Christ Fellowship Church in Lviv, Ukraine. After many years of involvement, her heart opened to the youth in her city. Seeking new ideas for ministry, she attended a Fusion camp in the Czech Republic and, inspired by its impact, launched Fusion at her church in 2014. In 2017, she helped JV Ukraine establish the Exit Tour ministry, and, after its success, joined Josiah Venture full-time to support youth outreach in churches and schools.

    As the Fusion Ukraine country leader, she supports local leaders, provides music resources, and oversees four choirs. She discusses Fusion's impact, stories of students growing into ministry, the challenges of serving during war, and prayer requests and hopes for the upcoming Fusiondary music festival.

    Learn more about Fusiondary:
    https://fusiondary.fusionjv.eu/
    @fusiondaryfestival

    Connect with Us:
    • Follow @josiahventure on Instagram
    • Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com
    • Contact: social@josiahventure.com
    • Online Prayer Room
    • Prayer Room App
    • 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!
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    31 mins
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