Get to Know the Paredes Family

Ministry Description

Kata works as the Guest Services Coordinator and I am a full time student (part time assistant for IT on campus). We are also both very active in supporting the rest of the team around us and picking up extra responsabilities, if there is ever a need. In other words, Kata pretty much runs almost all of the regular WOL admin outside of the BI while I consistently step in as the onsite medic and help with a large variety of other maintenance tasks as well.
We are both transitioning to full time support raising missionary service, with the help of the Launch program. We are both Launch missionaries now and will be transitioning to full time service during the next 2 years, as I finish my 2nd year of the BI and Kata attends her first year as well.

Learn more about the ministry in Hungary.

About Joshua

I came from a past full of hurt and regrett.
For my entire young adulthood, I worked tirelessly to escape everything I had experienced in young life. I accomplished a lot through military service, volunteer work, education and humanitarian relief but my accomplishments did nothing for me.
I found my faith on the cusp of complete failure. Our family was on the verge of falling appart and I had no room left to hide away my hurt, guilt or problems.
On the verge of doing something terrible, I did something out of character. For the time, I turned to God with a sincere heart. I didn't t realize it at the time, but in my desperation, I actually said a very genuine sinners prayer. That prayer was answered in a very personal and healing way. Almost instantly; most of the hurt, the regrett and the doubt was lifted. I haven't turned bank since that day, 8 years ago. I became and to this day am obsessed with the power and healing love that I have seen, personally, from God.
From that time, God quickly began to work in my life and the lives of my family. From the very beginning, we actually felt drawn to WOL Hungary and even reached out, but it wasn't for another 5 years that we actually started working with them directly.
Leading up to our time with WOL was a series of trials and opportunities, that prepared both of us and also helped us to understand the spiritual gifts that God had given us and also the plan God had for us to serve. The last preparation that I had to make was walking away from a job where I was making more than enough but sacrificing time for it from my family and from my faith. I have two retirements and the extra money was nice but it was far from the most important thing in my life. I reluctantly left my job but with full conviction and a joyfull heart. That choice was honored by God more than I deserved and without any waiting. I started working on campus right away as the camp medic and from there decided to attend the Bible Institute.
From being a student, I began to volunteer as an assistant for the IT on site and from there enrolled in the Launch program. Now, I plan on finishing 2nd year, while continuing to serve part time.
After my 2nd year, I plan on serving full time on campus. There are many things I have to offer, from years of experience, including 10 years of military service and 6 years of Joint opperations, which required large ammounts of diverse training from every branch of the military.
More than anything, my wife and I both are passionate about serving God and giving to others. I can at least speak for myself that compassion and giving are two of my spiritual gifts. We plan on using all of the skills we have learned and even learning new ones to serve God.
Above all else, our main goal is to grow stronger in Christ to honor Him using us to strengthen and prepare those around us for whatever His will is for their lives.

About Kata

I was raised in a non-believing family. At 19 years old, I had decided to move to the US all by myself , where later on i became a victim of human trafficking which GOD saved me from .
GOD also put Josh in my life. At that time, I was still healing from wounds caused in the past.
Josh and i both come from a lot of hurt and struggle. The beginning of our marriage was very rough as a result and GOD used this to open our hearts and ignite our faith.
Both of us found our faith together 8 years ago . We got baptized in Salem, Oregon .We moved to Hungary with 3 kids not knowing what the Lord has planned for us . It was one of our best choices but far from the last time we decided to follow God. We have all grown in faith tremendously since then. Not just Josh and I but also the kids. Above all else, this has by far been one of our greatest blessings.
Our oldest son, Steven decided just last year that he wants to follow Jesus and got baptized.

Philippians 2: 3-4 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or van conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your Town intereses jut Bach of you to the interests of others."

Contact Information

Address:
Joshua Paredes
Word of Life Hungary
PO Box 600
Schroon Lake, NY 12870