Tuesday evening, April 27, 2021, Executive Director and Pickens native, Steve Lowe, shared with 250+ guests at Young Life’s SharpTop Cove how The Joy House’s story began twenty years ago in the heart of a 33-year-old electrical engineer seeking to follow the will of God to bring restoration to teens and families.

Steve shared example after example of how God has showered The Joy House with unexpected blessings throughout the years, from the perfect piece of land off Cove Road to the “just right” staff members to build the ministry together. Lowe stated how a “faithful God who makes a way” has been the story of the ministry all along.

The evening was especially reflective on the tremendous impact Garry Barber, The Joy House’s beloved Counseling Center Director who passed away in December of 2020, had on the ministry, the community and even the mission to come.

Abby Elam, who served alongside Barber for many years, tearfully expressed how he mentored her and fellow counselor, Bill Wattenbarger, to be counselors “offering grace and compassion” to the people that walk through the Counseling Center doors. Elam is grateful to be able to provide services that are affordable for the community, much due to the generosity of the ministry supporters, and she assures that the ministry will carry on the mission that Barber so passionately lived, which includes loving, caring for, grieving with, and leaning into the lives of their clients.