By Andrea Ziebarth, Released Time Administrative Assistant “I LOVE data entry!” is not a phrase you may often hear, but I’ve heard it said at the Released Time offices at Joy El by a couple of the volunteers who faithfully serve the ministry each week. While some may see an endless stack of forms needing…
By Aaron E. Ziebarth, Executive Director. Last year 77 students attended the Brownstown Released Time at the end of the year. This year they have exceeded that already. “I can’t help but think that this is because of the School Coordinator’s bold risky steps of faith, setting a goal (she didn’t think they would happen)…
Aaron E. Ziebarth, Executive Director Every week we ask for feedback from parents. Why? Because I want to make sure we are offering the best experience summer camp experience possible and because I want to encourage our staff with stories of how they have served well. Sometimes we need to make improvements, and we are…
By Aaron. E. Ziebarth, Executive Director I received a request to visit the Kreutz Creek Released Time in York County. The reporter wanted to come and learn about the Released Time Bible Program. As I met Joel, I was impressed with his skills and his desire to learn about the impact of this program. As…
By Aaron E. Ziebarth, Executive Director It usually happens about every other week. A volunteer in the Released Time Bible Program tells me how excited they are that they were able to share their testimony with a child. And then they tell me something to the extent that, “It has been a long time since…
By Aaron E. Ziebarth, Executive Director “This retreat exceeded all my expectations.” Chapel had just ended and a group leader was walking my way. She spoke these words with great energy and enthusiasm after the final session of this weekend’s Joy El Camps momentum retreat. “I have been to Joy El before for a marriage…
By Aaron E. Ziebarth, Executive Director We live in a world that deals with natural disasters, terrorism, political upheaval, division on social media and more. I recently came across a blog by Margaret Feinberg, 7 Ways to Fill the World with Joy Today. I was encouraged by the practical suggestions. The name “Camp Joy El”…
By Aaron E. Ziebarth, Executive Director Recently I was meeting with some of the regional leaders for Released Time. Mim Hake, Joy El’s Equipping Coordinator in York County shared how she stepped out in faith. The end result, Released Time happened for many children because of her risk! I was so moved by the story…
By Aaron E. Ziebarth, Executive Director Would you be able to call me really quickly? Just last week, I received those words in a text from one of our collegiate summer staff members. I was in the midst of several things, but the text was urgent enough that I made it an immediate priority and…
By Stephanie Ziebarth, Barnabas Mentor Coordinator On Sunday morning there was a knock on my Disciples Lodge room door. I opened the door to find Nate Marshall, director of Joy El Generation’s 4.12 Leadership Training Program. “I just wanted to make sure you heard that Miss Patti has passed on to heaven,” he informed me…