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January 1st marks the beginning of my 13th year at Joy!
To put that in perspective, that’s the time it takes to go through four years of high school, four years of college, and four years earning a master’s degree.
So you’d think that after 12 years as Joy!’s lead pastor, I would have learned a few things.
And I have.
Joy!—I love you.
One of the most important lessons God has taught me is this:
People will come. People will go. And people will come again.
And here’s the beautiful evidence of that truth--
from 2023 to 2024, Joy!’s average weekly worship attendance grew by 13.4%, followed by an additional 6.4% increase from 2024 to 2025. That’s nearly 40 more people each week.
Another lesson I’ve learned is that Joy!’s generosity knows no limits.
Your generosity has helped secure a sound financial footing, with commitments approaching $1 million over the next three years. That means we have the resources to maintain our building and grounds—and even more importantly, to move money from mortgage to ministry.
Thank you for your faith, your trust, and your ongoing commitment to Joy!.
Another lesson I’ve learned over these past 12 years is this: churches like Joy! matter—deeply.
And I have learned that places like Joy! are as unique as an oasis in the middle of a desert.
In a world that can feel dry, divided, and exhausting, we are seeing people come from all kinds of church backgrounds looking for a place of life, rest, renewal, and JOY! A place where the gospel is preached and all people are truly welcome. A place where God’s inclusive Spirit flows not only through the halls, but through the people.
We strive to model that same inclusive Spirit of God who chose to announce Jesus’ arrival first—not to kings or political leaders—but to shepherds who were despised and dismissed by the religious insiders of the day.
Make no mistake: people are looking for a church like that.
And Joy!—that’s us.
That’s you.
God is using you to quench dry hearts and heal hurt souls.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for calling me to be your pastor!
To put that in perspective, that’s the time it takes to go through four years of high school, four years of college, and four years earning a master’s degree.
So you’d think that after 12 years as Joy!’s lead pastor, I would have learned a few things.
And I have.
Joy!—I love you.
One of the most important lessons God has taught me is this:
People will come. People will go. And people will come again.
And here’s the beautiful evidence of that truth--
from 2023 to 2024, Joy!’s average weekly worship attendance grew by 13.4%, followed by an additional 6.4% increase from 2024 to 2025. That’s nearly 40 more people each week.
Another lesson I’ve learned is that Joy!’s generosity knows no limits.
Your generosity has helped secure a sound financial footing, with commitments approaching $1 million over the next three years. That means we have the resources to maintain our building and grounds—and even more importantly, to move money from mortgage to ministry.
Thank you for your faith, your trust, and your ongoing commitment to Joy!.
Another lesson I’ve learned over these past 12 years is this: churches like Joy! matter—deeply.
And I have learned that places like Joy! are as unique as an oasis in the middle of a desert.
In a world that can feel dry, divided, and exhausting, we are seeing people come from all kinds of church backgrounds looking for a place of life, rest, renewal, and JOY! A place where the gospel is preached and all people are truly welcome. A place where God’s inclusive Spirit flows not only through the halls, but through the people.
We strive to model that same inclusive Spirit of God who chose to announce Jesus’ arrival first—not to kings or political leaders—but to shepherds who were despised and dismissed by the religious insiders of the day.
Make no mistake: people are looking for a church like that.
And Joy!—that’s us.
That’s you.
God is using you to quench dry hearts and heal hurt souls.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for calling me to be your pastor!
