Who is reaching Polish youth?
Taste … and see that the Lord is good. (Ps 34:8)
In spite of a population of 38 million people, Poland has only a handful of full time youth workers. Most youth groups are led by someone who shouldn’t have the time or space for such intensive ministry. Someone like Ania.
Ania should be overwhelmed, or maybe even depressed. Her husband passed away five years ago, leaving her with three kids to raise on her own. A working mom and full-time student, she juggles the responsibility of providing for her family and caring for young children. For most people that would be more than enough. But Ania also has a deep desire that the young people in her church and community become committed followers of Christ.
When she heard that Fala (the name of JV Poland’s organization) offered a school of youth leaders, she made space in her already full schedule for five weekends of study. There Ania was exposed to Christ’s life in a deeper way, and learned how he reached the lost and made disciples. Because the school of leaders focuses on equipping teams, she was able to bring several students from her church with her.
In spite of her difficult circumstances, Ania is full of faith. “The School for Ministry Teams helped me realize the importance of team leadership,” she says. “In the past I always did everything on my own. I always believed it was right to equip others, but I never knew how to do it. This training gave me the confidence and skills to begin a ministry team in my youth group.”
Ania takes what she learns and immediately passes it on, giving selflessly to the next generation. Because of that the youth ministry in her church is alive and transformational – and the young people she is building into are already reaching their friends.
Maybe we should all be more like Ania.
CommentsJV staff go to prison
Taste … and see that the Lord is good. (Ps 34:8)
Though it started like a classic missionary story, Ben and Kristy Williams did not take the typical path to the mission field.
Their first exposure to missions was as teenagers. Blanchard Alliance, the Williams home church in Wheaton, began to send teams to the Czech Republic with Josiah Venture in the late 90s. For Ben and Kristy it was a challenging and life changing experience to serve in these camps, but both felt led into the business world. After marriage and a lot of study, they ended up with engineering and business degrees and on the fast track up the corporate ladder at Lockheed Martin. Recognizing their gifting and promise, the company paid for both to complete masters degrees.
In spite of business success, the Williams couldn’t get the needs of young people in Eastern Europe off their minds. After much prayer, they decided to step out in faith and leave Lockheed Martin for the mission field. In 2006 they joined Josiah Venture full time.
At first they assumed that God would lead them back to Czech, where God first captured their hearts. At that time, however, JV was expanding into the Ukraine, and they were asked to consider serving in this challenging and needy place.
Now Ben and Kristy are learning the Ukrainian language, and are training young leaders in the city of Lviv. When they were challenged to ask God for increased fruit, they realized that a unique opportunity was right before them. A pastor founded their Ukrainian church in Lviv with a special heart for prison ministry. With great boldness he regularly takes people from his church into the prisons. They share the good news of Jesus and challenge people to repentance and faith. Nearly half of their congregation is formed of ex-convicts who have been delivered by Christ from the bondage of sin.
Ben and Kristy remembered their visits to the youth prison, and wondered if it might be possible to do more extended work there. “What about an English camp in prison?” they thought. “At least the invitations are easy!”
They thought it was impossible, but at least worth a try. Surprisingly, the warden of the youth prison agreed! Now plans are under way to help this church do the first JV English camp behind bars, sometime in the month of July.
God is opening unusual doors as we ask for increased fruit! Keep Ben and Kristy in your prayers as they prepare for this unique event.
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