To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Camp Joy-El, we asked our alumni and staff, past and present, to share memories about camp. We decided to create a series of memory blogs and share some of these great memories and testimonies with you!
Wayne Myers in his younger years.
Wayne Myers shared:
“Joy El is where I came to know Jesus as my Savior and Lord. It is where I grew in my faith as I was mentored by many, including Gregg Garman and Jim Roberts, former directors.
I went through the CIT program, sang in Living Miracles, and served in various roles after high school including dining room coordinator and head male counselor. I have several friendships that began at Joy El that have continued to this day 30+ years later!
Joy El was such a special place that I brought my wife to serve at Joy El for a minicamp week. At the end of that time, I took her on a walk and proposed to her on the camp grounds!
Some of the most memorable weeks of camp were as a counselor for HandiVenture camp where I had to trust God and serve selflessly. What joy those weeks brought! God has blessed me so much to serve at Joy El and see my kids now serving also delights my heart!
Wayne’s daughter, Leah also shared a testimony:
My life would be very different if it wasn’t for Camp Joy El.
My dad came to camp as a 3rd grader and started a relationship with Jesus here. Not only that, but as he grew up he was discipled and mentored here. My father would not be the same person he is today if it wasn’t for camp.
I came to camp at a very young age. Every summer, I spent a week at camp and would grow my relationship with the Lord. Camp pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Camp was one of the first places that I realized that God was real.
When I got to high school, I joined the 4.12 program and was stretched yet again. People believed that I could lead and encouraged me to do that. Not only did I grow in my leadership, but my relationship with Christ became grounded. While so many classmates and friends walked away from our faith, camp helped me to stay grounded.
Camp has taught me hard work, leadership, and how to love people well, even if they are different from me. The Lord continually works in this place.
