By Miriam Ankerbrand, Group Events Coordinator Recently, I visited one of our Bible Adventure classes. Bible Adventure is a part of Joy El, a Christian camp and retreat center in PA. When I arrived, the school coordinator greeted me, “Oh, we’re glad you’re here today! We’d love to have you be a listener!…
By Jeanette Biesecker, Director of Ministry Advancement When she first traversed the grounds of newly established Camp Joy El, a Christian Camp in Pennsylvania, Lois Ann Glessner (then Hunsberger) had no inkling that her future would be so deeply entwined with that of the camp. She recalls, “I was just a kid and I…
By Nate Marshall, Director of the 4.12 Leadership Training Program “There is no way I can do this.” That is one of the first responses most of us give when doing something out of our comfort zone – and most times it’s a natural response, but not the place God wants us to…
By Aaron E. Ziebarth, Executive Director We have so much to be thankful for. Each member of the Joy El staff is writing and posting one thing each day they are thankful on our hallway wall. What are you thankful for? “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love…
By Lisa Doyle, Assistant Director of Bible Adventure/CIA Some time ago we were challenged to write a six-word poem during our leadership development time. My moment of inspiration hit and I had it in a flash: Invitation given, no longer an atheist! There is nothing that thrills me more than people moving from…
By Tori Marshall, Food Service Coordinator Ephesians 2:10 NIV “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Have you ever thought “I can’t do this, how could God ever use me, I’m not special” or “I’m not good enough, smart…
By Nate Marshall, Director of 4.12 Leadership Training Program “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” –Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV) (emphasis added) Have you ever had the opportunity to be a part of a conversation that you knew was “of…
By Andrea Ziebarth, Bible Adventure/CIA Administrator and Creative Marketing Coordinator It’s just a small black & white 4.25 x 5.5 white sheet of paper. No pretty design, no color, no pretty photos. But the impact of this printed form creates a powerful opportunity for some Bible Adventure volunteers to lift up some real needs…
By Miriam Ankerbrand – Group Events Coordinator Recently, I had lunch with a pastor and his wife who led a weekend retreat at Joy El, a Christian retreat center in pa. As we conversed, we talked about the highs and lows of their weekend. Pastor Ed* got really serious for a moment and said…
By Rachel Shively, 4.12 Leadership Training Program Coordinator One tradition of the 4.12 Leadership Training Summit in September is going offsite with the first year students who are joined by students in their fourth and fifth year. Hiking is a very popular activity among the staff at Joy El that creates many friendships and can…