We’re less than three weeks away from this year’s Jammin for Joy!! We’ve had an unprecedented response!! We will have approximately 350 players joining us to participate in the tourney. That is almost a 100 increase from last year. The field has been nearly full for a month and we are still receiving inquiries from individuals/teams that want to play. In addition to that we’ve also secured more than 30+ sponsors for this year’s tourney. We’re so grateful to both our sponsors and players.
We are now making the final plans for this to be the best ever Jammin for Joy!! Although this is an amateur tournament, we advertise it as “the tourney where you’re treated like a pro.” Why is that you ask?? Because of all we provide our players. It includes lunch each day as part of their registration, an incredible player pack (unmatched by any tourney I’ve ever seen), door prizes, paddle raffles. All of these things make for a fun and competitive experience.
While we’re having all this fun and competition, we’re raising funds to benefit those we serve here at The Joy House. Aside from the money we raise from the tourney, we’ve seen many of our pickleball friends join us as partners over the last couple of years.
I have a few special prayer requests I’d like you to pray with us: We will be sharing about the ministry with all of our pickleball players. Please pray that the Lord would touch their hearts with the ministry and many of them will join us as long-term partners. For all the details to come together in our planning over the next 2-1/2 weeks For smooth operations of the tourney with a great playing and event experience for our players that includes everyone staying injury free. Please pray for no rain for those 3 days and sub-90 temperatures. Rain really complicates things. We look forward to bringing you pictures and updates of this awesome event in our August E-News. |
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| School’s in! Since stepping into the position of Director of Education in May, I have gotten to experience an awesome and productive side of the Joy House ministry first-hand. Hours of time from experienced professionals are poured into the Joy House students throughout the day, mainly focusing in the main four subjects that teens need to learn: English, Math, Science and Social Studies. Students work through Accelerated Christian Education workbooks at their own place, wherein they are able to learn and process new material in bite-size portions rather than having to swallow an entire textbook within a short time. This helps the students not only retain the information they’re learning but also helps them to truly understand the importance of what they study through a Biblical worldview. We often see students excel and even move ahead entire grades while attending the Joy House Academy, due to the one-on-one attention they receive from paraprofessionals and from being able to work through and comprehend their study materials in such a profound way. I have been floored to see with my own eyes the efficiency and effectiveness in which our academy operated in and to see students who used to struggle in even basic subjects excel with confidence and proficiency. No Apples needed here, the greatest gift for educators is seeing the success of their students as they overcome their former challenges! |
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As a houseparent, the sacred responsibility of guiding troubled teenage girls towards a brighter future is a profound mission entrusted to us by the Lord. This role requires patience, wisdom, and steadfast faith in God’s guidance. The Bible’s teaching continuously offers comfort and guidance, reinforcing our sense of purpose and the support behind our efforts.
The decision to become a houseparent is not one to be taken lightly. This role requires tremendous dedication, compassion, and perseverance. The Bible speaks of this commitment in Proverbs 3: 5-6 (ESV) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” This verse reassures us that by relying on God and seeking His guidance, we can navigate the challenges and uncertainties of this role with confidence and grace.
A stable and nurturing environment is essential for troubled teenage girls. As houseparent’s, our foremost duty is to create this type of refuge. Psalm 46:1 (ESV) states, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Just as the Lord provides refuge, we must also be a pillar of strength for these young girls, providing a nurturing environment for their healing and growth.
Several of these girls have encountered significant hardships, some because of the choices they have made, and may struggle with feelings of hopelessness. Others, however, may feel as though they do not need the help we offer. Our calling is to instill them a sense of hope and faith in their future. Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) offers a strong message of hope; “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” By sharing this promise, we can help these girls in understanding that their worth is not determined by their past experiences. Instead, they are cherished and valued by God, with a future full of promise and peace.
As a houseparent, it is essential to model and teach the principles of love and compassion. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (ESV) beautifully summarizes the essence of love: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Through our actions and words, we must demonstrate Christ-like love, showing these girls that they deserve kindness and can give kindness in return.
Part of guiding these girls includes equipping them with wisdom and discernment. James 1:5 (ESV) encourages us: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” By seeking God’s Guidance in our daily interactions and choices, we can provide sound advice and support, aiding our girls in developing their own wisdom and decision-making skills.
A solid grounding in faith can support these girls through life’s difficulties. Romans 15:13 (ESV) provides us with a prayer of faith. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” By encouraging our teenage girls to develop a personal relationship with God, we can help them find joy, peace, and a resilient hope that goes beyond their circumstances.
Being a houseparent to these teenage girls is a sacred calling that demands steadfast faith, limitless love, and a deep commitment to their well-being. By placing our trust in the Lord and relying on the wisdom and strength found in the Bible, we can deeply influence their lives. Our purpose is to lead them, care for them, and assist them in discovering their God-given potential, ensuring that they come out of this program stronger, more optimistic, and ready to embrace a brighter future. It is a beautiful reminder of the words of Philippians 4:13 (ESV): “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” and find comfort in the knowledge that we are never alone in this line of work. |
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We’re excited to again do a Cherokee Banquet this fall! We’re also deeply grateful to our friends and partners at Mt. Zion Baptist church in Canton who will be hosting this year’s banquet. It will be on Tuesday September 24th at 6:30 PM. We serve more teens and families from Cherokee County in our teen-residential program than any other county. However, we’re still seeking to raise both awareness and resources in Cherokee County. We realize that it can be inconvenient for some of our Cherokee friends to bring people to our annual banquet, so we’re bringing a banquet to you.
This evening will be a night of fellowship, celebration and inspiration as we share about the program including testimonies from some of those whose lives have been changed.
We are looking for some of our Cherokee partners to serve as table hosts. That simply means you invite and fill a table of 8. There is no cost to host a table. We’ll simply present an opportunity at the end of the evening for all of our guests to give as they are led by the Lord. If you will serve as a table host please reach out to me, Steve, via phone (706-253-7569) or email: [email protected] letting me know you would like to serve as a host.
If you would simply like to attend as a guest you can RSVP at the link provided below.
Please be in prayer for this special evening as we to raise awareness about The Joy House and enlist new partners to join us in our mission. |
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| We are excited to share that we have new boy's home parents moving onto The Joy House Campus. We will be sharing more about them in the upcoming months. God has really provided for The Joy House in this area and we are grateful. They are doing a huge spring cleaning of the boy's home and have created an Amazon list of supplies that would benefit the home. If you would like to partner with us in this way that would be such a blessing. We are thankful for the community that surrounds us. The Amazon link is below. |
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