Jason.
Jason.

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Jason is the founder of Ignite Student Ministries, a dynamic ministry igniting youth, young adults and university students to passionately pursue Christ and transform society in high schools, work places and universities around the world.

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Willing to Go

Jason VanaJason Vana

Photo Credit: Benjamin Wojnar

In one week from today, I will pack up my car, drive to the city of Chicago, hop a plane and begin the 15 hours of travel to the Czech Republic.

I couldn’t be more excited.

If you know me at all, or have followed this blog for any amount of time, you know my heart beats for Czech.
And all of Central and Eastern Europe.

I have made a commitment to that area of the world.
I have traveled there eight times in the last six years.
I have given up countless vacation days, hours upon hours of planning and preparation, money and resources to make a difference in that area of the world.
I have lost sleep, spent my 28th birthday on an airplane, suffered jet lag, lack of sleep and countless attacks to see God move in the lives of young people.

It’s been worth every second.

I’ve been privileged to see God move through my teams.
I’ve had a front row seat to the transformation He is making in the lives of young people in Czech.
I have been able to pray for young people, see a young man experience healing for his teeth, and watched as youth began to understand the potential God has for them.
I’ve seen lives changed, hope restored and a passion for God ignited within a nation.

It has left me wondering why I, of all people, get to do this.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” – Isaiah 6:8

I’m not quite sure what this year’s trip holds. I don’t know what God has up His sleeve. I can only guess as to the way He will move in the lives of my team, the Czech youth and myself.

All I know is that I am willing.

Willing to do whatever it takes to impact the life of even just one person.
Willing to endure long plane rides when I hate flying.
Willing to work hard, get little sleep and step outside my comfort zone.
Willing to stay up late praying for others.
Willing to spend hours preparing messages, planning outreaches and administering this team.
Willing to re-wear clothes, live out of a suitcase and give up sleeping in my own bed., all so that someone might experience a deeper level with God.

When you’re willing, God moves through you to greatly impact the lives of others.

I want to thank all of you who have prayed, donated and provided encouragement for this trip and every trip I have taken in the past. Your partnership makes every story, every transformation, every example of a changed life possible.

You are just as much part of this trip as those physically going to Czech.

This next week, I will be taking Monday and Wednesday off from blogging, to give me more time to finalize plans and finish packing, along with getting settled into my new job.

Blogging the Journey
I will publish one final pre-trip post next Friday, and will be posting updates on the trip while in Czech. These updates will be published whenever time and internet access allows, and won’t follow my typical Monday, Wednesday, Friday format.

You can receive these updates via email by subscribing in the orange box below.

Jason is the founder of Ignite Student Ministries, a dynamic ministry igniting youth, young adults and university students to passionately pursue Christ and transform society in high schools, work places and universities around the world.