Josiah Venture Stories

Gwynne Gardner

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.

  1. FEB 10

    Valentine's Wedding: A Cross-Cultural Love Story with the Kaspars

    In this heartwarming episode, Brad and Lucie share their unique love story that began through their involvement with Josiah Venture. Brad, originally from Chicago, and Lucie, from the Czech Republic, recount how their paths crossed in ministry, leading to an unexpected but beautiful marriage. They discuss their first impressions, the challenges of a cross-cultural relationship, and the importance of communication and support in their marriage. Towards the end, they reflect on their current ministry efforts, including training young leaders and participating in mission trips to Ukraine, and provide insights on the impact of their work. Their story is a testament to how God brings people together from different backgrounds to serve a greater purpose. As they approach their 18th wedding anniversary (this Valentine's Day!), they reflect on their journey and offer advice and inspiration to others. This heartfelt story showcases the power of love, faith, and dedication in both marriage and ministry. 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!

    54 min
  2. FEB 2

    "Stand Firm for Our Nation" with Ben Williams, Victorious Teaching

    We are excited to release the main talks from our last Fall Conference, which was "VICTORIOUS: Equipped for the Battle, Anchored in Christ" and focused on spiritual warfare and the unseen battle for the next generation across Europe.   Our annual Josiah Venture Fall Conference is designed to equip our team for the year of ministry ahead. Every conference includes amazing teaching, worship, and fellowship. At the 2025 gathering, we learned to see the unseen, stand with authority, and fight with spiritual power—anchored in Christ's ultimate victory. We invite you to join us in being equipped for the battle. In this last episode of our Fall Conference teaching series, "Stand Firm for Our Nation," Executive Vice President of National Ministries, Ben Williams, shares how we can stand firm for our nation and commissions us for the battle.  During this "Victorious" teaching series, we have considered these three moves (see, stand, fight) in the context of our personal lives, disciple-making relationships, our church or team, and our nations. A battle is happening across Central and Eastern Europe for the hearts of the next generation.    We pray this teaching series on spiritual warfare has equipped you and reminded you that Jesus is victorious. We don't have to wonder how things will turn out. We know with confidence that Jesus wins!   Thank you for standing with us in the battle and for listening to this teaching episode of the podcast. If this series has been a blessing to you, please consider sharing it with others.      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!

    33 min
  3. JAN 27

    "Worship as a Weapon" with Korban Miller, Victorious Teaching

    We are excited to release the main talks from our last Fall Conference, which was "VICTORIOUS: Equipped for the Battle, Anchored in Christ" and focused on spiritual warfare and the unseen battle for the next generation across Europe.   Our annual Josiah Venture Fall Conference is designed to equip our team for the year of ministry ahead. Every conference includes amazing teaching, worship, and fellowship. At the 2025 gathering, we learned to see the unseen, stand with authority, and fight with spiritual power—anchored in Christ's ultimate victory. We invite you to join us in being equipped for the battle. In this episode, entitled "Worship as a Weapon," worship leader and missionary to Poland, Korban Miller, teaches that worship music is a vehicle for the weapons of spiritual warfare. Music connects, unites, and trains us to remember. He teaches that "Music is not a logical choice when it comes to fighting battles, but it actually changes the spiritual world, and barriers like walls, doors, or chains transform into places of freedom."          Thank you for listening to this teaching episode of the podcast.   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!

    57 min
  4. JAN 20

    "Stand Firm for the Body" with Flaviu Coman, Victorious Teaching

    We are excited to release the main talks from our last Fall Conference, which was "VICTORIOUS: Equipped for the Battle, Anchored in Christ" and focused on spiritual warfare and the unseen battle for the next generation across Europe.   Our annual Josiah Venture Fall Conference is designed to equip our team for the year of ministry ahead. Every conference includes amazing teaching, worship, and fellowship. At the 2025 gathering, we learned to see the unseen, stand with authority, and fight with spiritual power—anchored in Christ's ultimate victory. We invite you to join us in being equipped for the battle. In this episode, entitled "Stand Firm for the Body," the country leader to Romania, Flaviu Coman, and his translator, Tino Peste, share how love is the most powerful weapon against spiritual attack, and he implores us to fight for unity among believers. He reminds us that "Love for God and people is the foundation of unity, and unity makes us unbreakable." And now, enjoy listening to this teaching episode of the podcast and join us in praying for the unity of believers!   Thank you for listening to this teaching episode of the podcast.   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!

    54 min
  5. JAN 13

    "Living in the Ongoing Battle" with Kristy Williams, Victorious Teaching

    We are excited to release the main talks from our last Fall Conference, which was "VICTORIOUS: Equipped for the Battle, Anchored in Christ" and focused on spiritual warfare and the unseen battle for the next generation across Europe.   Our annual Josiah Venture Fall Conference is designed to equip our team for the year of ministry ahead. Every conference includes amazing teaching, worship, and fellowship. At the 2025 gathering, we learned to see the unseen, stand with authority, and fight with spiritual power—anchored in Christ's ultimate victory. We invite you to join us in being equipped for the battle.   In this episode, entitled "Living in the Ongoing Battle," Kristy Williams, a missionary in Ukraine, shares about how we find victory in a battle that seems like it will never end. She reminds us that suffering is never for nothing in the spiritual realm and that the mature in Christ know how to both mourn or lament the battle and take action to exercise faith in God and his ultimate victory. As you hear these stories, please pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and pray that the war will end. February 24th, 2026, marks four years of full-scale war. Thank you for listening to this teaching episode of the podcast.   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!     *We had to take the clip out that Kristy used from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. It is the scene where Saruman is talking to Grima Wormtongue just before they witness the vast Uruk-hai army marching to war. It sets the stage for the massive battle that will happen at Helm's Deep. You can watch the clip here if you are interested.

    58 min
  6. JAN 6

    "Stand Firm for Youth" with Diana Anton & Timo Mahrik, Victorious Teaching

    We are excited to release the main talks from our last Fall Conference, which was "VICTORIOUS: Equipped for the Battle, Anchored in Christ" and focused on spiritual warfare and the unseen battle for the next generation across Europe.   Our annual Josiah Venture Fall Conference is designed to equip our team for the year of ministry ahead. Every conference includes amazing teaching, worship, and fellowship. At the 2025 gathering, we learned to see the unseen, stand with authority, and fight with spiritual power—anchored in Christ's ultimate victory. We invite you to join us in being equipped for the battle.   In this episode, entitled "Stand Firm for Youth," you will hear from two Josiah Venture missionaries: Diana Anton from Romania and Timo Mahrik, the country leader for Slovakia. They share how we can stand firm as leaders while making disciples. They encourage us to pray for courage and strength when trying to understand the battles that youth and youth workers are encountering. And now, enjoy listening to this teaching episode of the podcast.   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!

    1 hr
5
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

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.