Josiah Venture Stories

A Summer on Mission: Meet the 2026 Interns

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 [https://www.instagram.com/josiahventure/] on Instagram * Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com [http://josiahventure.com/] * Contact: social@josiahventure.com [social@josiahventure.com] * Online Prayer Room [https://pray.josiahventure.com/] * Prayer Room App [https://www.josiahventure.com/2021/02/09/prayer-room-app/] * Summer Internships [https://www.josiahventure.com/mobilize/internships/] * Mission Trips [https://www.josiahventure.com/mobilize/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!

Eric Mayer's Extended Summer Internship Journey

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 [https://www.instagram.com/josiahventure/] on Instagram * Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com [http://josiahventure.com/] * Contact: social@josiahventure.com [social@josiahventure.com] * Online Prayer Room [https://pray.josiahventure.com/] * Prayer Room App [https://www.josiahventure.com/2021/02/09/prayer-room-app/] * Summer Internships [https://www.josiahventure.com/mobilize/internships/] * Mission Trips [https://www.josiahventure.com/mobilize/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!

Inspiring Hope Through Music with Nadiya Vorobyova

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/ [https://fusiondary.fusionjv.eu/] @fusiondaryfestival [https://www.instagram.com/fusiondaryfestival/] Connect with Us: * Follow @josiahventure [https://www.instagram.com/josiahventure/] on Instagram * Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com [http://josiahventure.com/] * Contact: social@josiahventure.com [social@josiahventure.com] * Online Prayer Room [https://pray.josiahventure.com/] * Prayer Room App [https://www.josiahventure.com/2021/02/09/prayer-room-app/] * Summer Internships [https://www.josiahventure.com/mobilize/internships/] * Mission Trips [https://www.josiahventure.com/mobilize/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! [https://app.flodesk.com/form/690b67e376e97c6b8d8d373d]

Dare to Believe! Music and Relational Ministry with Shelby Hlavsa Flowers

Dare to be inspired! Discover how Shelby Halsa Flowers has helped grow Fusion International and the powerful role music plays in spreading joy and faith. Shelby first traveled to the Czech Republic in 2010 as part of a mission team serving at one of the very first Fusion camps. She was immediately inspired by the way Fusion connects young people to the gospel through music, and she never looked back. After serving two summers as an intern, Shelby moved to Ostrava and has lived there since 2014, serving locally and internationally. In 2018, she became the director of Fusion International and has helped to establish and support Fusion choirs across eleven countries. She and her Czech husband, Radek, married in 2023 and serve together at their local church in Ostrava. Connect with Us: * Follow @josiahventure [https://www.instagram.com/josiahventure/] on Instagram * Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com [http://josiahventure.com/] * Contact: social@josiahventure.com [social@josiahventure.com] * Online Prayer Room [https://pray.josiahventure.com/] * Prayer Room App [https://www.josiahventure.com/2021/02/09/prayer-room-app/] * Summer Internships [https://www.josiahventure.com/mobilize/internships/] * Mission Trips [https://www.josiahventure.com/mobilize/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! [https://app.flodesk.com/form/690b67e376e97c6b8d8d373d]

Gifts and Talents for the Kingdom with Amanda Snyder

"There's no sweeter place than being right in the will of the Father and what he has for you, and I don't wanna live outside of that." Amanda Discover how Amanda Snyder's passion for music, young people, and missions led her to incredible adventures and leadership roles with Josiah Venture. A must-listen for those chasing their call with purpose. Amanda Snyder first served with Josiah Venture in the summer of 2012 at the first Fusion camp in Slovenia. During this experience, she developed a strong passion for using music as a platform to share the gospel and sensed a clear calling to invest in the youth of Slovenia. On her third trip, this calling was confirmed, and in 2016, she moved to Celje, Slovenia, to serve full-time. Amanda served on the Fusion Slovenia team for 5 years, including 3 years as team leader. Following this season, she transitioned into broader leadership, providing national-level support for Josiah Venture Slovenia. Today, Amanda continues to live in Celje, where she is actively involved in her local church. She also serves on the National Ministries Division, working alongside the Josiah Venture council to help advance ministry initiatives and support the continued growth and effectiveness of JV across all 16 of our countries, utilizing her strengths in execution and leadership. Connect with Us: * Follow @josiahventure [https://www.instagram.com/josiahventure/] on Instagram * Learn more about Josiah Venture at josiahventure.com [http://josiahventure.com/] * Contact: social@josiahventure.com [social@josiahventure.com] * Online Prayer Room [https://pray.josiahventure.com/] * Prayer Room App [https://www.josiahventure.com/2021/02/09/prayer-room-app/] * Summer Internships [https://www.josiahventure.com/mobilize/internships/] * Mission Trips [https://www.josiahventure.com/mobilize/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! [https://app.flodesk.com/form/690b67e376e97c6b8d8d373d]