By: Kim Sanger
Assistant Director of Bible Adventure/CIA
I am always inspired by moments when I get to witness the church becoming The Church. At Joy El, we enjoy many partnerships. Some that we
enjoy are as follows: prayer partners, business partners, financial partners, volunteers, community partners, among others. At Bible Adventure and CIA, one particular partnership stands out as most important – the partnership we enjoy with the host churches.
We are privileged to partner with churches that open their doors to us each week to use their facility to serve public school children. There are some that have opened not only their doors, but their hearts to this ministry.
They have embraced the opportunity this partnership offers to meet the needs (both physical and spiritual) of their surrounding community that wouldn’t enter their building otherwise. I have recently heard of stories that a few of the BA/CIA teams and host church members have combined their efforts to provide food and clothing for one of their struggling Bible Adventure students and family members. They are also providing the opportunity for this student to attend an upcoming weekend retreat at Joy El.
Transportation to and from church on Sunday morning is offered and provided to BA students and family members each week. Another host church has provided holiday meals to the BA/CIA students and families. This host church also plans on hosting summer events for the children who attend BA and CIA during the school year. I have heard other host church pastors say that they don’t have children who attend their church on Sunday morning, so they view BA/CIA as their children’s ministry. They look forward to their building being filled with the laughter and excitement of kids each week.
It is a privilege to serve alongside so many who view this ministry as something that extends beyond four walls. When the Bible Adventure/CIA host church adopts this ministry as an extension of their own ministry, God makes amazing things happen. These host churches and BA/CIA volunteers are demonstrating I Corinthians 1:10 which tells us to all agree with one another in what we say and that there be no divisions among us, but that we are perfectly united in mind and thought.
“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the
gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” – 2 Corinthians 9:13
Upcoming events and summer camp
- Joy El Work Days
- Father Daughter Retreat (April 9-11)
- Summer Day Camps
- Summer Wilderness Camps
- Summer Overnight Camps
