Jacob Dykstra

Missionary to Austria

Ministry Description

Still in the early stages of development, the ministry of Word of Life in Austria already has been presented with tremendous opportunities to share the gospel of Christ. Pioneered in 1997 by Bobby Parshauer, Word of Life Austria is now fully recognized and incorporated by the Austrian government. The ministry is currently coordinated by Johnny and Thays Fürst. Word of Life owns a property located near Villach in south-central Austria.

The ministry focuses on children's and youth´s programs and aims to annually reach 2,000 people with the gospel message through camps, children's musicals, bible clubs, Local Churches Ministry and other evangelistic outreaches. The future plans of Word of Life Austria includes expanding the staff and developing a stronger Bible Club. Praise the Lord for the great things He is doing in Austria!

About Jacob

I grew up in a home where my family loved Jesus and served Him faithfully week in and week out, in our church and in our community. This was not just limited to my parents, but my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, they all showed me what it looked like to live a life dedicated to serving God in every area. So, as I grew older, I came to realize what the gospel was, and at an early age came to an understanding that God had created me to be in relationship with Him, but that my sin severed that relationship, and no number of good deeds could remove that sin. But paying the price for sin Jesus died and rose again, and everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life. Believing that simple truth, I was saved from the punishment of my sin, and now had a relationship with God.

Very shortly after, around the age of six is when I would say I first felt the call to ministry, and although I wasn’t exactly in a position to go into ministry at six years old I did begin serving where I could in the church and planned on pursuing an education after high school that would help to qualify me for ministry in terms of a career path. Over the last two years the Lord has grown me in so many was through my time at the Word of Life Bible Institute. One way He has especially grown me is in my understanding of ministry not simply as a career path for the future, but as faithfully serving Christ, by faithfully serving others, exactly where He has you today.

Throughout this last year, I intently sought the Lord’s guidance in what He had for me next as I continued my education. As I prayed and sought the Scriptures, God really put cross cultural ministry on my heart, and the doors opened for me to be able to take a two-year cross culture internship with Word of Life. I was open to going to whatever country the Lord put on my heart, and at the close of my second year at the Bible Institute I was able to take a short-term mission’s trip to Austria and got to experience the need for youth ministries in Austria firsthand. After much prayer and conversation, it became clear that serving the youth in Austria through Word of Life’s Cross-Cultural Internship was where God was calling me to go.

Life Verse

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."