About Worthwhile Adventures

A happy family of three, a man, a woman, and a child, standing outdoors in front of trees with colorful autumn leaves, smiling at the camera.

Alisha and Joshua Garber's journey together began in college, united by a shared calling to serve and love people across cultures. Over the past two decades, this calling has led their family to unexpected places — Mexico, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Barcelona — each shaping their understanding of faith and community.

Now, with over ten years of experience in postmodern, post-Christendom contexts, the Garbers feel a profound sense of purpose as they prepare to plant roots in Belfast, Northern Ireland. They are eager to engage with the local community, fostering relationships and nurturing a faith that resonates in today's world.

Their connection with Communitas International began in 2023, drawn by a mutual commitment to starting and shaping communities of faith that love like Jesus. This partnership has enriched their mission, providing support and a network of like-minded individuals.

Fun Fact: The Garber family has a tradition of learning a local dish in every country they live in. Their favorite so far? Lithuania's cold beet soup, Šaltibarščiai!

A man with a beard and tattoos, wearing a red and black plaid shirt and a cap, smiling with arms crossed, standing in a warmly lit room with artwork on the brick wall behind him.
A smiling woman with short brown hair wearing a green lace dress, standing outdoors with a blurred natural background.
Asher stands and a garden with a gap-toothed smile and holding a stuffed Kermit the Frog.

Meet the Garbers

  • I'm Alisha Garber — a force of faith, creativity, and leadership with a heart for people at the margins. With 10 years of military service and another 10 years serving as an international faith worker in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Spain, I’ve truly lived out a calling to bridge cultures and inspire communities.

    With 22 years of ministry experience, I’m especially passionate about mentoring the next generation of faith leaders — helping them grow into dynamic young changemakers who are ready to impact the world. As a creative artist, I use my unique gifts to fuel a radical ministry at the margins and radical inclusion at The Table.

    When I’m not leading, teaching, or creating, I’m a bombastic wife to Josh of nearly 20 years, a mama to our energetic son Asher, and a dog mom to our mutt Merlinda. Together, we’re a family on a mission to share the story of Jesus with the world, one act of love at a time.

    Fun fact: I'm the world's biggest Muppet fan — no contest.

  • I'm Joshua S. Garber — a storyteller, worship leader, theological thinker, and family man passionate about helping communities explore how Jesus-centered faith can lead to peace, justice, and belonging in a fragmented world.

    My family and I have served in Mexico, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Spain, experiencing the beauty and tension of post-Christendom contexts. These cross-cultural experiences have deepened my conviction that the Sermon on the Mount is more than inspiration — it’s instruction. Over the years, that understanding has led me into work that combines activism, relational ministry, youth discipleship, and the creative arts.

    I’m energized by creative ministry: leading worship that speaks to the soul, filmmaking and crafting words that connect with people’s lived experiences, and encouraging others to wrestle faithfully with hard questions. I believe hospitality, humor, and a well-cooked meal can be just as theological as a sermon.

    Fun fact: The best football team is Liverpool FC.

  • Born in Klaipėda, Lithuania, Asher is known for his jovial personality, winning smile, and ability to eat his weight in watermelon.

    His name straddles his parents’ love for nature and the Bible, with an ash being a type of tree and Asher being one of Jacob's sons and a tribe of Israel. Asher’s middle name is in reference to Saint Francis of Assisi, who is known for his love of nature, critique of capitalism, objection to violence, and vitally important efforts in reforming the early Christian church.

    Asher wishes more people in the world were vegetarians like him and, until recently, thought squirrels were mythical creatures.

    Currently, his interests include reading, Pokémon, riding bike, and swimming.

Frequently Asked Questions |
Worthwhile Adventures

A musical band performing on stage with three members singing and playing instruments, with a drum set in the background.

Our lives have not moved in a straight line and we get a lot of questions. Whether you’re new or just have been away for awhile, here’s some background that should help fill in the gaps.

  • The term originated during Joshua and Alisha Garber’s first cross-cultural experience serving in the Czech Republic. It has become a container for the type of postmodern, post-Christendom ministry the’ve engaged in over the years.

    The Worthwhile Adventures website is the ministry site and personal blog of the Garber family, sharing stories of faith, mission, and everyday life as they follow Jesus across borders and cultures. They write about peacebuilding, spiritual formation, and life as a family serving in international contexts.

  • We are currently preparing to serve in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in partnership with Communitas International. Our work focuses on cultivating faith communities, faith-based reconciliation, community engagement, and storytelling through the arts.

  • We believe mission is about presence, not programs. Our work often includes:

    • Building relationships across cultural and religious divides

    • Supporting peace and reconciliation initiatives

    • Creating art, making music, and telling stories that encourage Christ-centered community

    • Participating in local worship, youth mentoring, and hospitality

    • Building safe, inclusive spaces for those who don’t feel comfortable with the institutional church but are interested in following Jesus

  • A missionary-in-residence is someone who lives among a community to learn, support, and minister in a grounded, relational way. We’ve previously served as missionaries-in-residence in Barcelona, Catalunya, and currently at Hope House Farm in Phoenix, Arizona, a ministry of Neighborhood Ministries.

  • Communitas International is a global church-planting movement focused on helping ordinary people live out the gospel in their neighborhoods. Our family partners with Communitas as our sending organization for ministry in Belfast.

  • You can support our ministry in several ways:

    • Pray for us as we transition and build relationships

    • Subscribe to our newsletter for updates

    • Give financially through our Support Page

    • Share our stories with others who care about peacemaking and global church work

  • From 2017–2022, we served with Mennonite Mission Network in Barcelona, Spain, supporting a small Anabaptist church in worship, youth ministry, and communications. We left after realizing that, for a variety of reasons, the church could no longer support two full-time workers and transitioned into a new season of rest and discernment.

  • Our vision is shaped by Anabaptist theology, Jesus-centered discipleship, and a belief that peacemaking and reconciliation are central to the gospel. We write and live with a desire to embody Christ’s radical love — especially where it’s least expected.

  • We believe following Jesus — especially in uncertain, uncomfortable, or unfamiliar places — is always a worthwhile adventure. The name reflects our hope to live with purpose, presence, and playful faith wherever we go.

  • Yes! Joshua and Alisha are both experienced speakers, musicians, and workshop leaders. You can reach out via our Contact Page for inquiries about:

    • Speaking engagements

    • Sermons or workshops

    • Guest blog posts or podcasts

  • Visit our Blog or read our column on Anabaptist World to explore reflections on:

    • Faith and cross-cultural life

    • Peacemaking and justice

    • Spiritual formation

    • Family life on mission

    We update regularly with honest, hope-filled stories from the field.