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Today's Verse |
Josh grew up on a farm in beautiful Vail, Iowa. He went to 12 years of Catholic school. After growing up in a Catholic home he became an atheist and joined the U.S. Army. While in the army he met a group of believers who were always talking about God and how He answers their prayers. After several months of being under conviction he finally gave in and went to a service with some of his friends. That morning he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, repented of his sins and became a new creature in Christ.
Later that year of 1994, Kevin Raub,
a man of God who has a heart to start independent Baptist churches near military bases, came to Fort Hood, Texas and started Freedom Baptist Church. Josh was discipled by Pastor Raub for about three
years until he turned the church over to Troy Green. Josh also grew in the Lord as Pastor Green taught him in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Freedom being a newly developing church, Josh had a part in leading the singing, playing the guitar, teaching Adult Sunday School, and he was also the treasurer for a while. Because Pastor Green had a heart for missions, Josh saw many slide presentations and met many missionaries through the years. Pastor Green is now serving the Lord in Germany.
One of those visiting missionaries preached out of the book of Romans. He read verse 20 of chapter 15 which says, "Yea so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:" God had already been speaking to Josh's heart about that verse and the mission field, and he confirmed it that morning through that message. He has never questioned as to which area of the world to go-Southeast Asia has always been on his heart. Thus, here he is in Indonesia!
In the year 2000 an opportunity to attend the Olympics in Sydney, Australia was offered to Josh. A group of Christians with 1.3 million Gospel tracts in about 100 different languages was going to step through this door of opportunity. By the grace of God, Josh was able to attend this awesome event. This is where he saw what could happen on the receiving end of a group of prayer warriors. He says he learned the true power of prayer on this trip.
Josh's pastor is now Matthew McVaney who served the Lord in Germany for seven years. Pastor McVaney, having experience from deputation, pastoring and being on the mission field, has helped in yet another area of discipleship for Josh.
Copyright 2008 Joshua Leise