April 18, 2009
…for the Word of God is LIVING and ACTIVE
Last night at the store we ran into one of our Czech friends. When we asked him how he was doing, Honza responded with a big smile and said, “I’m completely exhausted.” His past ten days have been filled with newscasts, presentations, and interviews with journalists as he leads the debut of the new Czech Bible. He recounted how each journalist present at the release party in Prague was presented with his own Bible. For many, it was the first Bible they had ever owned. As the week progressed, Honza heard from one reporter after another that each had spent considerable time reading it.
Here is more news we received from a fellow missionary in Prague:
“Last Thursday night the new and only available modern translation of the Bible was publicly released in Prague. Over 400 people attended the event at Bethlehem Chapel in historic Old Town. I have never seen a gathering of this size in Prague for a Biblical or Christian topic. The event was full of press, young and old, Christians and non-Christians.
Sasa shared from his heart why he wanted to translate the Bible. He told how Jesus Christ changed his life. He explained how God asked him to translate the Bible 17 years ago just after the fall of Communism. It was powerful and it felt like everyone in the room was soft-hearted, willing to listen because of the respect they had for the work Sasa had done.
Then the denominational leader of the Moravian Brethren (the heritage of Jan Huss) taught briefly from Deuteronomy 8:3 .’…man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.’ He shared how hope, life, and truth which we cannot find anywhere else, are found in these pages of Scripture. His teaching also had supernatural tenderness that seemed to just enter straight into people's hearts.
Finally, some famous Czech actors did a series of dramatic readings from Scripture. This reading of the Bible in public, by celebrities, seems to be getting the most news coverage. It was powerful to see the message of God's redemptive love communicated simply to the people of the Czech Republic, from start to finish.
You have to realize... it is extremely rare for the average Czech person to hear a testimony or teaching like this at any single point in his life. I believe all of the prayer that has gone into this day, along with the work of the translation, created a strong foundation for the Word of God to be received.”
This all took place in one of the most atheistic nations in the world!
God’s Word is living and active.
Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates hearts.
Rejoice with us! Your prayers are making a difference. Please keep praying that “whenever we open our mouths, we will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel.”
God is on the move in Eastern Europe!
January 05, 2009
Romania Girls' conference
A
year ago, Diana, one of our key female leaders in Romania, came to spend some
time resting in our home. Diana ( or DU) is a faithful servant of Jesus
with a deep passion and love for young women in her country.
During her week
here, Jesus met DU sweetly yet powerfully. From that time, God grew a desire in DU’s heart to call her
other sisters into deeper intimacy with Jesus. A couple of months later
she invited me to come and speak about this at their 3rd annual
conference for women in ministry.
Around 125 young women from all over Romania came, most in their 20’s, and all actively involved in serving the women in their churches and communities. In refreshing new ways, DU and her national team of women have come together to be purposeful about discipleship. They are a true picture of multiplication.... intentionally passing on Jesus’ example to other women, who are then passing it forward to more. These women came from varied backgrounds, but they have sacrificially poured themselves into the women around them.
Though
they are young, they are FULL of faith. And their pursuit of Jesus is
relentless. It was my very great privilege to walk with these beautiful young
women as they press into new territory and take new ground for the kingdom.
January 04, 2009
After the 2x3 Vision Night Tour
October 05, 2008
Amy and I are writing to invite you to the Josiah Venture "2x3 Campaign" Vision Night happening soon near you (or maybe not so near city:) Some of you may have already received an invitation in the mail. Those of you who live far from any of the venues, we also want you to have an invitation (below). Maybe it's really not too far, or maybe you might be close to one of the other cities.
You can click on this link and register right now.
The purpose of the evening is first, to celebrate what God has done and is doing in Central and Eastern Europe through the ministry of Josiah Venture, secondly, to thank those of you who have in faith supported this ministry through prayer, giving, and even serving, and thirdly, to invite people into a new and deeper connection to the ministry of Josiah Venture. This event is the first of its kind in Josiah Venture's 15 year history. We hope that you will be encouraged and inspired as you hear the bigger story of Josiah Venture and the vision God is calling each of our eleven countries to. It will be our joy for you to meet nationals from these countries that will be present at the events. We are truly an international community of servants passionate about reaching this generation for Christ.
Look forward to seeing you there!
