WE Missionary of the Month, July 2025
"The Little Black Rock"
A Missionary's Call to the Czech Republic – An Interview with Justin Holden
When did you first feel called to the mission field?
I was called in 2012. I was on a bit of a “missions tour,” visiting a few places to sense where God might be leading me long-term. I spent two weeks in Southport, England, and another two in Liberec, Czech Republic.
My daily prayer during this time was, “God, if this is where you want me to be, have someone give me a piece of the city.” What I meant was literal — something insignificant, not the kind of thing someone normally gives as a souvenir. Just something personal and unexpected. That was my “fleece,” if you will.
I really enjoyed my time in England. I was hoping God would answer my prayer there — but I left empty-handed. “Okay,” I thought. “God must have something better in mind.”
So then you visited the Czech Republic. How did that go?
Honestly, it was a bit of a shock. There was beauty, of course, and the people I stayed with — Stan Hart and his family — were wonderful. But culturally? It was hard. The language felt like another planet. People weren’t as immediately warm or welcoming as I was used to (I’d been living in the South, after all). And get this — in Czech, when someone says “Oh really?” it sounds like they’re cussing at you. It was jarring.
By the end of the trip, I was exhausted and not particularly eager to stay. Still nothing. I actually felt relieved. “Okay, God, you must want me somewhere warmer!” (I began to think of South America, Spain, something like that.)
My last full day, I had just spoken at Stan and Jiřina’s church. I was waiting in the car with their youngest daughter, Markétka — she was about four years old at the time. She was playing quietly by herself. Out of nowhere, she looked up at me and stuck out her little fist. I held out my hand, and she dropped something into it.
It was a small, black rock.
It hit me like a wave. This was the sign I had prayed for — but in the place I had least expected. I went home shaken. Was it real? Just a coincidence? Was I reading too much into it? Should I ignore it, or lean in?
What if I said no?
Would that make me like Jonah?
I decided to test the waters. I went for three months — the maximum time under the visa-free agreement — to see if this really was God’s plan. I used that time to prepare the documents for a long-term visa, with the idea that if it was God’s will, I’d come back full-time.
It hit me like a wave. This was the sign I had prayed for — but in the place I had least expected. I went home shaken. Was it real? Just a coincidence? Was I reading too much into it? Should I ignore it, or lean in? What if I said no?
I fell in love with the Czech Republic in those three months. That's when I knew. God wanted me here — and He had plans for me.
Practicalities of Moving to a Foreign Mission Field
From travel, airfare, visas, and housing, what did it take for you to go to the Czech Republic?
I came over on what’s called a živnostenský list — a trade license visa. As far as the Czech government was concerned, I was here as a self-employed English teacher. I taught English for six years to support myself and pay all my bills, but I also volunteered in the church and in our denomination’s youth ministry (in the Czech Republic, it is common for only the Pastor to be a paid position-that remains true to current status-all others are on a voluntary basis), and I helped organize national events and conferences.
There are several paths for Visas, depending on your situation:
Short-term:
- Schengen Visa (90 days in 180): No need to apply in advance for Americans.
Long-term:
- Long-term Visa: First step for many missionaries. In the Czech Republic, this is usually called a cultural visa.
- Employee Card: If you’re employed by a registered church.
- Entrepreneur Visa (Živno): For self-employed missionaries like me.
- Study Visa: If you combine your ministry with formal education.
- Family Reunification Visa: If you have family ties.
- Permanent Residency: After 5 years of legal stay.
Application usually involves:
- Applying at a Czech embassy in your home country
- Proof of accommodation and finances
- Health insurance (With my visa type, I’m enrolled in Czech public health insurance. I pay monthly, but it’s significantly more affordable than U.S. insurance.)
- Criminal background check
- Documents showing purpose of stay (letters from your church, etc.)
It’s not a fast process — sometimes 60–90 days for long-term visas — but it’s doable with patience and planning. I had to fly to Chicago twice for my Visa: once for the interview and once to pick up the Visa. This was the Embassy that serviced my region of the US to apply for a Visa.
All in all it took saving and preparing to go on the foreign mission field around $1500 for Visas, and $5,000 for airfare to the Czech Republic, housing deposits, first month’s rent, and I also had to show the Czech Republic a bank balance of $5,000 to prove that I could be self reliant when I arrived. This was a bare bones budget to get established.
Off-season airfare is always cheaper. Travel agents can sometimes get better deals or baggage allowances, so don’t overlook that.
As for packing: simplicity is key. We often bring too much. You probably need less than you think. Digitize what you can. Bring clothes for the climate. And trust that God will provide what you lack.
How hard was it to learn to the language? Did you know the language before you went?
It was brutal. Czech is among the hardest for English speakers — gendered grammar (three genders!), flexible word order, cases, and unique sounds. I begged God, “If you want me here, give me the language.”
In about a year, I was conversational. Not fluent — but I could be understood. A couple of years later, I passed the C1 exam, which is near-native level. That was a huge breakthrough.
It is a common requirement in Europe to have at least B1 proficiency in the language to obtain Permanent Residence Status (Green Card). Thankfully I adapted, learned, and studied, and am now at a C1 level. Very seldom would natives now recognize me to have a foreign accent. It has helped me connect with the people and respect their culture.
Tell us about finding housing, communication needs, employment, and finding a local church.
Initially, I had secured a place to stay with a deposit and first month’s rent, however, furnishing it was another story. That came slowly and as needed. A lot came from IKEA, and thankfully it has lasted now several years.
A phone plan was also a must and it was super affordable. You can get a prepaid SIM or eSIM for $15–$20/month with loads of data and unlimited local calls. Plus, tools like WhatsApp, Facetime, and iMessages make it easy to stay connected to loved ones abroad.
It’s possible to find work and support yourself, but not always easy. Education matters here. Without a degree, finding a job can be tough. Americans often teach English — though it’s getting harder now that more Czechs speak well. If you’re serious about staying long-term, building qualifications helps.
I wouldn’t have made it without my local church in Liberec. Honestly. They accepted me, supported me, and became family. I even met my wife there — but that’s a story for another time.
Final Thoughts
What should someone know before they go?
Don’t do what I did. I didn’t study the culture at all beforehand — and I don’t recommend that.
If you feel called to a people, you should learn about their history, culture, and their perspective on the world. That doesn’t mean you give up your own identity, but it means you lead with humility and curiosity.
I’ve seen missionaries cause pain simply because they didn’t understand the culture they were speaking into. Sometimes I’ve been that missionary. Each culture is different — not better or worse, just different. And if something isn’t directly unbiblical or godless, then maybe it’s not worth “fixing.”
Looking back, what would you say to someone who feels called, but scared?
I’d say: it’s okay to be scared. I was. But obedience isn’t about confidence — it’s about trust. And sometimes God’s leading comes in the form of a little black rock from the hand of a four-year-old girl.
He speaks. Sometimes quietly, sometimes unexpectedly. But when He calls — He equips. Always.
Justin Holden
Justin and his wife, Lucie, share a deep passion for equipping young leaders to impact their communities and for strengthening local churches.
Their ministry spans various roles, from leading youth conferences to providing one-on-one coaching for youth group leaders. Their primary focus is offering regional support to individual leaders and youth groups. Based in Liberec, they actively serve in their local church.
Their most important disciples, little Atalia and Anabel, joined them in 2022 and 2023.
As a family, they are committed to a life of discipleship—raising up disciples who, in turn, make disciples.
Contact Justin at jholden@josiahventure.com
