A Growing Partnership: Angel Tree Expands Opportunities for Kids at Joy El
For 13 years, Joy El has partnered with Prison Fellowship to provide a week of free camp to children with an incarcerated parent through Angel Tree. The first few years…
Joy Cuts Through The Noise
A camper and 4.12 Student recently was featured in an article by Prison Fellowship. Check it out: Eight-year-old Thomas sat alone in the corner of the chapel. He covered his…
Learning to Overcome
Over the years, there have been many children who come to camp who have many obstacles and hurdles to overcome to have a happy life. These children don’t ask to…
A Little Prayer in a Tattered Bag
Here is a throwback post from 2020: As a staff member who is often working behind the scenes, there are times when you wonder if what you are doing is…
The Generations Serving Together
This summer was my 12th summer at Joy El, a Christian Retreat Center in PA! I’ve been excited each year to see how God works in the lives of…
Ministry is Hard, But Worth It
By Miriam Ankerbrand Development Coordinator When I was preparing to come work at Joy El almost nine years ago, I spoke with my pastor, Bill Spangler. I was worried…
A Little Prayer in a Tattered Bag
By Miriam Ankerbrand Development Coordinator/Bookkeeper As a staff member who is often working behind the scenes, there are times when you wonder if what you are doing is really making…
The Blessing of Partnership
By Miriam Ankerbrand, Group Events Coordinator Each year I have the privilege of working with the Angel Tree camping program through Prison Fellowship to bring children of incarcerated men and…
For the Least of These-Part 2
By Miriam Ankerbrand – Group Events Coordinator *Matthew came to his first week of Christian camps for the summer! At the closing program, he was chosen to give his testimony…
“For the Least of These”
Before camp started this summer, I realized that one of our Angel Tree campers, *Matthew, was already registered and paid in-full for his week of Christian camps. Knowing he could…