Venturing Out in Faith: How God Is Working in Ukraine
Josiah Venture
When Anya first heard the music, she had no idea it would change the direction of her life.
She was a teenager at a local school in L’viv, Ukraine, when a visiting choir performed what Ben and Kristy Williams jokingly describe as a “little bit too wild” concert. The school administrators, in fact, asked the group not to return.
But the seeds had already been planted. Anya followed the music to a local church, encountered Jesus for the first time, and began a journey to faith that would transform her life and the lives of many others.
She was a teenager at a local school in L’viv, Ukraine, when a visiting choir performed what Ben and Kristy Williams jokingly describe as a “little bit too wild” concert. The school administrators, in fact, asked the group not to return.
But the seeds had already been planted. Anya followed the music to a local church, encountered Jesus for the first time, and began a journey to faith that would transform her life and the lives of many others.
A Calling Rooted in the Next Generation
Anya’s story is only one of many that Ben and Kristy can share from their experience serving in Ukraine as part of the Josiah Venture, a ministry named after King Josiah in 2 Kings 22. Josiah was a young leader who encountered God and helped lead a nation back to Him.
Much like its namesake, Josiah Venture focuses on reaching and discipling young people in 16 post-communist countries across Central and Eastern Europe. The ministry works exclusively through local churches rather than operating independently.
“We’re going after the next generation of leaders who can transform not only their churches, but also transform the nation for Christ,” Ben says. In Ukraine, where fewer than 1 percent of the nation’s people know Jesus, the ministry partners with approximately 125 churches, equipping youth leaders to reach students at school, sports fields, music venues, and community spaces.
“We want to go where the young people already are because, let's be honest, waiting for non-churched people to flood your church and to just bust down your doors isn’t going to happen,” Kristy says. “That just isn't really the vibe of the culture today.”
Much like its namesake, Josiah Venture focuses on reaching and discipling young people in 16 post-communist countries across Central and Eastern Europe. The ministry works exclusively through local churches rather than operating independently.
“We’re going after the next generation of leaders who can transform not only their churches, but also transform the nation for Christ,” Ben says. In Ukraine, where fewer than 1 percent of the nation’s people know Jesus, the ministry partners with approximately 125 churches, equipping youth leaders to reach students at school, sports fields, music venues, and community spaces.
“We want to go where the young people already are because, let's be honest, waiting for non-churched people to flood your church and to just bust down your doors isn’t going to happen,” Kristy says. “That just isn't really the vibe of the culture today.”
Ministry in the Midst of War
The Williamses, along with their two children, Marissa and Dylan, have lived in Ukraine for 19 years, including the last 11 years of war with Russia. While life in western Ukraine can feel “about 60% normal,” Ben notes, “the other 40% is highly abnormal—missile attacks, bomb shelters, power outages, and constant uncertainty.”
“There is a lot of sadness. Everyone knows people who have died in the war and people who are fighting on the front lines,” Kristy says. Yet, despite the trauma and loss surrounding them, their ministry has not slowed. In fact, it has grown.
“In the last four years, our ministry has doubled,” Ben says. “Young people are asking real questions — about death, meaning, eternity. The openness to the gospel is greater than we’ve ever seen.”
Josiah Venture hosts outreach camps, sports ministries, music initiatives, and leadership training for youth across the country. Its efforts are coupled with pastoral care, helping young people process their grief, fear, and loss while pointing them to lasting hope in Christ.
“There is a lot of sadness. Everyone knows people who have died in the war and people who are fighting on the front lines,” Kristy says. Yet, despite the trauma and loss surrounding them, their ministry has not slowed. In fact, it has grown.
“In the last four years, our ministry has doubled,” Ben says. “Young people are asking real questions — about death, meaning, eternity. The openness to the gospel is greater than we’ve ever seen.”
Josiah Venture hosts outreach camps, sports ministries, music initiatives, and leadership training for youth across the country. Its efforts are coupled with pastoral care, helping young people process their grief, fear, and loss while pointing them to lasting hope in Christ.
How Fellowship Alliance Chapel Can Help
Supporting Ben and Kristy’s work gives FAC the opportunity to invest directly in the spiritual transformation of Ukrainian youth at a pivotal moment in history. Our financial resources help fund camps, outreach events, and scholarships for families who can no longer afford to participate. Donations also help equip Christian dormitories for displaced young people who have lost their homes due to the war.
Just as important, Kristy emphasizes, is prayer support.
“Keep Ukraine constantly in your prayers,” she says. “I like to compare it to the Soviet Union for those of us who were around in the eighties. I remember as a kid praying for the Soviet Union to collapse, because there was nothing good about it. The church was being persecuted, people couldn't worship God. Then that era ended, and it was God orchestrating it.”
As Anya’s story demonstrates, God continues to touch the lives of Ukrainian youth through Ben and Kristy Williams. Today, Anya leads worship, disciples young women, and has returned to her school — this time as a believer — openly sharing the gospel with a new generation.
For Ben and Kristy, young people like Anya are the reason they have spent nearly two decades living and serving in Ukraine.
“One thing I'm sure of is, when it looks bad, God's still sovereign,” Ben says. “He’s in control, and he’s doing something to bring people to himself and demonstrate his love, compassion, and his redeeming work. Let's be involved.”
Just as important, Kristy emphasizes, is prayer support.
“Keep Ukraine constantly in your prayers,” she says. “I like to compare it to the Soviet Union for those of us who were around in the eighties. I remember as a kid praying for the Soviet Union to collapse, because there was nothing good about it. The church was being persecuted, people couldn't worship God. Then that era ended, and it was God orchestrating it.”
As Anya’s story demonstrates, God continues to touch the lives of Ukrainian youth through Ben and Kristy Williams. Today, Anya leads worship, disciples young women, and has returned to her school — this time as a believer — openly sharing the gospel with a new generation.
For Ben and Kristy, young people like Anya are the reason they have spent nearly two decades living and serving in Ukraine.
“One thing I'm sure of is, when it looks bad, God's still sovereign,” Ben says. “He’s in control, and he’s doing something to bring people to himself and demonstrate his love, compassion, and his redeeming work. Let's be involved.”
