By Brenda Brazee, Assistant Director of Bible Adventure and CIAI loved vacation Bible school as a child. I remember one particular year they said, “Whoever memorizes the most verses, brings friends, and comes each day receives extra points, and whoever earns these points can win prizes.” Now, I’ve always been a bit competitive…
By Hannah Cox, Development and Volunteer Coordinator
You may have seen one of the Joy El vans out on the road in your community, but may not have ever realized just how important something as simple as a vehicle is to…
By Justin Kipe, Director of Camping MinistriesRecently we had the Joy El Bible Adventure weekend, a Christian retreat weekend for students in grades 2 to 6. It was an exciting and powerful time of …
By Karissa Darius, Camping Ministries Assistant
Recently, a dozen of Joy El staff members attended the Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA) Alleghany Sectional. This sectional is a place where those who work at Christian camps…
By Stephanie Ziebarth, Barnabas Ministry Coordinator
The other day I spent two hours walking around my neighborhood, catching up with the best friend of my youth. Chief among the topics we covered was parenting. I could not help but share the newest material from my parenting toolbox: Growing With by Kara Powell and Steven Argue.
Released earlier this month by Baker Books, Growing With has a long subtitle that happens to be very appropriate: Every Parent’s Guide to Helping Teenagers and Young Adults Thrive in Their Faith, Family, and Future. The book introduces
By Aaron E. Ziebarth, Executive Director
For many working parents, the summer break presents a problem. Parents want something valuable, yet affordable, for their children, but they don’t want day care or to leave children home alone. Joy El Camps is
By Stephanie Ziebarth, Barnabas Mentor Coordinator
When Samantha Cantrell decided to join Joy El’s, a Christian camp in PA, 4.12 Leadership Training Program in eighth grade, she had ideas about how God might use the program in her life. Almost five years later, Sam realizes her initial expectations did not get met, but that God worked in a very different…
By Aaron E. Ziebarth, Executive Director
Psalm 19:1 For the director of music. A psalm of David. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.”
Psalm 19 explains just how much we see when we are outside. We see God’s glory declared. This is a significant part of the camp experience. Children are able to get outdoors and see God revealed. I often hear that they can really feel…
Growing With by Kara Powell and Steven Argue released March 5. Starting off on Amazon as #1 in the youth ministry category and #3 in the Christian living family category, the book is already being resoundingly received as an excellent resource. I have been happily reading through it, gleaning practical application for both my Joy El role and my own family.
My husband Aaron and I recently had the opportunity to spend about 24 hours on a Bible college campus. While there, I connected with a handful of students who had been in the 4.12 Leadership Training Program at one point. Two of them specifically told me I could share their encouraging comments with others, so I have shared their comments below.