Welcome, Carrie and George!

We are very excited to announce that our close friends Carrie and George Vera are now officially a part of the JV Eastern Germany team.
A little over a year ago, God first laid on their hearts to consider joining us and Josiah Venture in former East Germany. As it became more clear to them that God was opening doors and calling them to full time mission work, they began conversations with Josiah Venture and - as you already know from a previous blog update - they were able to attend Josiah Venture's spring conference in the Czech Republic in May. They completed their application process over the summer and are now officially accepted. It happened just in time for Josiah Venture's fall orientation, which they were able to attend last week.
George and Carrie have a heart for reaching young people for Christ and have worked with youth in various settings. We believe our personalities and areas of strength will complement each other and make us a good team. George and Carrie have a 20 months old daughter and are expecting their second child in March of 2012. They are now also in the process of raising support in hopes to move to Eastern Germany by next fall.
We will keep you updated as their profile goes up on the Josiah Venture website. Would you pray for them as they prepare to move overseas and raise support? Would you prayerfully consider supporting both of our families and the Josiah Venture ministry in Eastern Germany?
Please, also pray for us as we still hope to recruit more team members even while we are still in the support raising process. Thank you for your support.

The 30/30 Sleep Talk Challenge!

So, Joel sleep talks!

This morning as Eliana and I were getting up, Joel's head pops off the pillow and he explains to us, "Also, when you think youth ministry, think ages 13-30.." He trailed off when he realized we already know this :-)


It's part of his usual explanation about the Josiah Venture ministry, going into detail on the word "youth" in Josiah Venture's vision statement: 
A movement of God among the YOUTH of Eastern Europe that finds its home in the local church and transforms society.

Now that was his first time talking in his sleep about fundraising but how often does he talk in his sleep??

Oh, if we had a dollar for every time Joel sleep talks!!

Seriously! Are you willing to give us a dollar for every night Joel sleep talks? That pretty much comes to $30 a month.

We are looking for 30 people to support the JV ministry in Eastern Germany at $30/month. Will you be one of them? 

You know, sometimes Joel talks in his sleep multiple times a night, so if you are able, consider supporting us at $60, $90, or $120 a month. Thank you for helping us get overseas!

You can give to our ministry at: https://www.josiahventure.com/give/people/191


Still got questions about our ministry?
Email us at jhopkins@josiahventure.com or ehopkins@josiahventure.com

Church Supprt

This past weekend, we had the chance to visit a church very dear to my heart: Fellowship Chapel of Bolingbrook. This is where I (Ellen) became a believer in 2000. We were invited to speak about our missions plans in Sunday School and Joel preached during the service.

Please, continue to pray for us as we visit churches we have been involved with in the past to seek support for our missions plans. This fall, while Joel and I are both working part time, we are focusing on raising support. Our hope and goal is to raise 100% by the end of the year. Are you able to help us reach our goal?

Back from English Camp

Joel and our youth group returned safely from the Czech Republic last Wednesday. Thank you for your prayers.

Our youth group helped to put on an English camp for Czech believers and unbelievers. Our group was stretched as their taught English, made new friends, and shared their faith with peers from a different culture. Every one of them loved their experience.

To find out more about how Josiah Venture English Camps work, check out Dave Patty's latest blog:
http://www.josiahventure.com/blog/what-is-jv-doing-this-summer/

Website Addition

Check out the brand new Eastern Germany tab to learn more about the area we are planning to move to. Pray for us as we get the first team together to go.
http://www.josiahventure.com/people-and-places/eastern-germany

English Camp

The Czech English camp our youth group is participating in has started today. Please, pray for them this week. Pray for opportunities, courage, unity, and maturity. Also, pray for Joel who has been asked to preach at one of the Czech churches a week from this Sunday.

Missions Trip

Joel and our high school youth group Quest left today for a two and a half week missions trip to a Josiah Venture English Camp in the Czech Republic. Please pray for safety while they are traveling, courage and opportunity for our students, and open hearts for those they are ministering to.
Also, pray for Eliana and I while we wait at home for Daddy to come back :-)