By Amy Diehl Executive Assistant I recently had the privilege of attending the baptism of my niece. Baptisms are always emotional for me. Watching someone proclaim their faith fills my heart. Children ranging from 6 years old to 16 years old climbed the ladder into an inflatable pool about 3 feet high to stand alone…
DetailsBy 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 a difference. This year has been especially trying with the many changes that have come because of the pandemic – working from home, changes of…
DetailsBy Courtney Martin, Program Director One key emphasis of Joy El is the importance of Scripture memory. Having gone through Joy El’s Bible Adventure Program, growing up attending camp events at Joy El Camps and Retreats, being in the 4.12 Leadership Training Program and now serving on staff, I’ve developed the habit of making scripture…
DetailsBy Lois Ann Glessner, Training and Curriculum Coordinator Our 2020-2021 theme for Bible Adventure is “On Purpose”, based on Exodus 9:16. What is the purpose of Bible Adventure? Our mission? “Providing opportunities for people to experience life-change through personal encounters with God.” Recently, I had a conversation with a longtime volunteer/fan of Joy El…
DetailsWritten by Stephanie Ziebarth Jeanette Biesecker (far right in the photo) laughs when you ask her to share what she’s learned in just over 16 years of ministry at Joy El. “It would be impossible to list it all!” she declares. Yet she quickly begins to list broader categories, such as leadership and personal growth.…
DetailsBy Anna Blazes, Camping Ministries Assistant Many Christian camps in Pennsylvania and around the county were not able to open for summer camp this year. We were blessed here at Joy El that God made a way for us continue to do summer camp ministry. As summer camp is now finishing up here at Joy…
Detailsby Nate Marshall, Director of the 4.12 Leadership Training Program I connected with several recent 4.12 Leadership Training Program graduates one summer evening. All these young adults had been in the 4.12 program and are serving on summer staff. As the graduates reminisced, their faces showed contemplation, excitement, and emotion as they recalled how God…
DetailsBy Jeanette Biesecker, Director of Ministry Advancement Every year during summer camp as a member of the year-round staff, I get to ride the day camp bus on Mondays some weeks to meet and greet parents. Because my job is usually “behind the scenes,” getting to interact with campers on the bus rides is a…
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