As we approach Christmas I enjoy listening to Christmas music. I really do love “Joy to the World” and the rich truth it conveys. It also would seem to be a most appropriate song for a ministry named The Joy House. My attention is particularly drawn to the 3rd stanza which says: “No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow, far as the curse is found.”

Our world is under the curse of our own sin which leads to multiple sorrows, but Jesus comes to break that curse and let his blessings flow that we may know true JOY.

I’ve seen this truth lived out before my eyes this year in the lives of those we serve. Joy restored to one who was marred in a pattern of self-harm but has come to realize the love Jesus has for them as it was shared from others. Another resident hopeless and under a dark cloud of grief and depression on entry into the program who through Jesus now has a hope and a future. One robbed of peace in their anger and conflict with their parents, but now able to know peace and healing in that relationship. Yes, Jesus does come to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.

With the opening of our new girl’s home this year we are now ministering with more teens on campus than at any time in our history. We are continuing to keep a waiting list of families seeking help. Our counseling center ministry has been active all year helping others find this freedom and joy in Jesus as the curse of sin is broken.

Through your partnership with us you are a part of seeing the curse of sin broken and the joy of Jesus restored. With the addition of a 3rd home and the ability to minister to more teens & families through our teen-residential program also comes an increase in operating costs. Our annual operating costs have increased approximately $100,000. As you consider gifts in the year-end please give prayerful consideration to continue partnering with us to see these lives changed. There are instructions provided for year-end giving later in this newsletter.

Thanks for your continued partnership and I hope you know the blessings of Christ this Christmas and the joy He brings as the curse of sin is broken in all our lives. Merry Christmas!!!

This isn't something I like to admit, but before I came to The Joy House God was just something that was talked about in church on Sundays and Wednesdays. I had no relationship with God and honestly, I didn't necessarily want one. I was happy and content where I was, living in my sin. 

All of my strong Christian friends didn't want to be around me because of everything I was doing.I was fine with that because I made new friends. My new "friends" encouraged my addictions and helped keep my relationship with God where it was, nonexistent. 

All of that changed when I became a resident of The Joy House. I was separated from all of these bad influences and was introduced to girls my age who had a relationship with God. They were open and always growing in their walk with Christ. What shocked me was that they chose all of that. No one was forcing them. Those girls planted a seed in me. Going to church and listening to Pastor Jacob preach watered that seed. Mr. Chase and Mrs. Veronica being open about their past struggles helped me get through mine. They gave that seed some much needed light. 

Everyone here at The Joy House cares about me and my spiritual journey. I have been able to thrive, learn some hard lessons and most importantly I have been able to grow. I have grown in ways I didn't think were possible. It is all because of The Joy House. Being here has saved me life and I am forever grateful. 

If you are mailing a gift it must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2023. If you want to donate online, you may do so by going to thejoyhouse.org or clicking this link. You can make donations online until midnight on December 31, 2023. If you want to give the donation to us personally, it must be in hand by midnight on December 31, 2023. 

We will not be maintaining normal office hours from Monday, December 25th through Monday, January 1st. However, if you need to speak to Steve personally regarding a year-end gift you can contact him by leaving a voicemail or by e-mail at steve@thejoyhouse.org. He will be checking both of these and will be glad to contact you.