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ournalLast week I visited two Bible Adventure programs. Children were excit-edly singing the Bible songs and actively listening to God’s Word being taught. Then they shared memorized scripture with their listeners. All of this is so valuable for them and their spiritual growth.In just over three months, many of these students will be attending a week or two of summer camp at Joy El. It is our goal that every camper who comes to Joy El will be presented with the gospel of Jesus Christ in an individualized environment and challenged to a rst-time or growth commitment in his/her relationship with Him.As a culture, we are consumed by the question, “Who am I?” According to the Journal of Educational and Social Research, children begin constructing their personal identity as early as the age of four. The world tells us that our identity is found in our internal char-acteristics and external circumstances. Research from the Survey Center on American Life revealed that Gen Z is the least religious generation yet with 34% claiming to be religious-ly unaliated. Barna Group research conrms that children and teens are less likely to include God in their identity and more likely to dene themselves by temporary, worldly things.We are called to be image-bearers of God, who wants to adopt us as His children. Camp-ers need to know that their identity is secure when it is founded in Christ alone. We believe that life is hopeless without Christ and that children need the hope of Christ. This summer we will be teaching them that our identity is in Christ, who loves us uncondition-ally. Our identity never changes because He never changes.This summer at Joy El we will be learning this through a theme of royalty. We will be talking about our identity as children of the true King. We will look at earthly king Saul and then Jesus, the King of Kings. Generally, decorations will include crowns, castles, purple, red carpet, knights, and other medieval items.Our prayer is that all campers will understand that their identity is founded in being chil-dren of God.God’s Word tells us in Romans 8:16-17a: “The Spirit himself testies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ...”Please pray with us for this understanding to be deeply rooted in children this summer.Aaron E. Ziebarth, CEOChildren of the One True KingVolume 40 Spring 20231. A Word from the CEO-Children of the One True King2. Equipping for Battle From Fear to Faith Keeping Faith Fresh3. Royal Children Memorial/Honorariums4. Mark Your CalendarThe Privilege of GivingOur commitment to you:Joy El is a member of ECFA (theEvangelical Council for FinancialAccountability). The ECFA seal (seenhere) is an expressionof our commitment tointegrity in all aspectsof our ministry. Pleasevisit www.ecfa.org tond out more aboutECFA. All donations to Joy El are tax deductible.To learn about more ways to give, call Miriam Ankerbrand at 717-369-4539 or email miriam@joyel.orgAaron E. Ziebarth, CEO717-369-4539 • www.joyelcamps.org • info@joyel.org

The excitement of summer camp theme Called to Royalty is building! Summer camp brochures have gone out and reg-istrations are coming in daily. We are choosing summer sta who will be on the battleground this summer sharing Jesus with all campers. While we have many counselors and sta that will be in the middle of the battleeld right alongside of campers, there are other sta that are in supporting positions. It has been my privilege over the years to work alongside summer support sta and watch them gain experience and grow into the leadership roles they now have. These dierent roles are held by upper level high school students as well as college age students. They may not be front and center on the battle-eld but their roles are vital in helping campers grow as heirs of God. The Dining Sta Man-ager also leads a group of our 4.12 students that are serving food and washing dishes. Maintenance Assistants help keep the camp safe, in working condition and pretty to look at. They are building skills throughout the sum-mer and are learning to be leaders through servanthood. The canteen/camp store coordi-nator position makes campers smile. Wearing that sweatshirt, hat or sunglasses brings back memories of their week of camp when they began a relationship with Jesus or grew to the next step of their faith.The many sup-port sta are in a unique position where they can catch those little moments of checking in with a camper and asking simple ques-tions….”what did you learn today?’, “how can I pray for you?”, or “how is your walk with Jesus going?” As we head into this season of Sum-mer Camp, it will be amazing to see how God calls them to serve in the many support sta roles.Equipping for BattleFrom Fear to FaithBy Steven Kagey,Interim Director of Camping MinistryCamper connections make the dierence at Joy ElEating together allows campersto begin life-long friendshipsSta develop servant heartswhile servingAs thunder struck outside the cabin, Tim was found lying on the cabin oor hiding and crying from fear of the storm. “Are you alright Tim*?” asked his counselor James*. James currently serves as a student in the 4.12 Leadership Train-ing Program and was placed as Tim’s junior counselor during a week of camp this past summer. Tim jumped into James’ arms and kept crying in fear. James carried him over to the bunk and sat down with him. They started talking and Tim quickly shared how scared he was of the loud noises happening outside. James shared as he held Tim in his arms. “You can give your fears to Jesus, and he will carry you through them.” The storm that night paved the way for a deeper conversation where James was able to share with Tim about both God’s power and love. Through this conver-sation, Tim began a relationship with Jesus. After they prayed the fear began to melt away and Tim jumped on top of his bunk shouting to the whole cabin that he was a follow-er of Jesus! After that night Tim was no longer captivated by his fear but instead embraced his identity as a child of God. I am grateful to see God continue to bring children into his Kingdom through young lead-ers like James! *Name changed By Rachel Shively,Director of 4.12 Leadership Training ProgramCounselors have God-given opportunities to invest in campersFaith is living and active there is no doubt of that. There is also no doubt that without a conscious eort, faith can feel stale instead of fresh. A been there done that attitude can sneak in and the very things that will renew are the things that are left undone.A yearly visit to Camp is a vital part of renewing the focus and vibrance of many children’s faith. The lessons they hear, the faith they witness in counselors and sta, the passion they share with their peers freshen their focus on Jesus.Keeping camp fresh is an important part of drawing people back. New activities, well maintained facilities, an opportunity to try something new, help to change the attitude of “been there done that.” These items are not the focus of camp, but they are neces-sary. Providing opportunities for people to experience life-change through personal encounters with God is the focus as campers and guests come to Joy El.Would you be willing to help keep camp fresh for campers by donating toward the projects for this year?Keeping Faith Fresh

Royal ChildrenMEMORIAL/HONORARIUM LISTA young man hearing of Jesus’ birth and the Christmas lesson in one of the Bible Adven-ture programs, was sad. When his listener asked him why, he said it was because he would not have any Christmas gifts or time with his birth dad. In Joy El’s 94 programs, we estimate that 85% of our public school students now have some kind of family issues when they arrive at Bible Adventure and CIA. Our mentors provide the adult leadership and presence that the students are so hungry for. We are able to share with them about the amaz-ing gift of knowing that their heavenly father, who is King of the Universe, loves them. They can belong to God’s family, adopted through faith as “royal children” of God the King. It is great to see the student attend-ing faithfully now and growing in his understanding of God each week. We celebrate, that at the beginning of February we are serving over 2,600 students weekly in the Bible Adventure and CIA programs. Some of our 1,000 volunteer leaders recently met at a training to share and expand our under-standing of how to reach each precious student. As ambas-sadors, we are God’s hands and feet showing students the love of God our King. By Jan Diaz,Bible Adventure/CIA DirectorBA volunteers being trained to advance His KingdomIn Memory of: Alvin & Dorothy CriderGiven by: Franklin & Eileen Schock Alexa Williams Kelli Price John BertaIn Memory of: Brenda ForbergerGiven by: Delores MelloIn Memory of: Claudia FlinchbaughGiven by: Charles RobieIn Memory of: Danielle Nicole ForneyGiven by: Dale & Donna ForneyIn Memory of: Doris OberholzerGiven by: Dwayne & Sherry MilesIn Memory of: Dorothy KernGiven by: Raymond KeatingIn Memory of: Ellen BingamanGiven by: Jack & Gina PlainIn Memory of: Fern SleichterGiven by: David & Kathleen BrochtIn Memory of: Grace FennellGiven by: Daphne MurrayIn Memory of: Hazel CutchallGiven by: Helen Black Dick & Pai Bard Rex & Dawn Black Marilyn DunkleIn Memory of: Janet B. MillerGiven by: Gerald & Phyllis ByrdIn Memory of: Jessica Justus PedersonGiven by: E. Faye Stouer Tabb & Laura JustusIn Memory of: Jim MackGiven by: Perry & Tina MenerIn Memory of: Jim Van VeldhuizenGiven by: Perry & Tina MenerIn Memory of: Jonas HissongGiven by: David & Kathleen BrochtIn Memory of: Kim ShaerGiven by: Pamela Connelly Amy Waters In Memory of: Louis & Helen GreinerGiven by: Robert & Jody GreinerIn Memory of: Robert (Bob) CuthbertGiven by: Evelyn Zartman Flanigan-Brennan Crew Diana Waltimyer Cheryl Sucec Theodore & Norma Krebs Howard & Patricia McConahay Jerey & Cynthia Edmonds Bill & Sharman ThomasIn Memory of: Sam ShannonGiven by: Ruth ShannonIn Memory of: Warren HoediGiven by: Georgianna HoediIn Memory of: Wilbur & Nancy FriGiven by: Ruth Ann Spangler Torah Clubs of Troy William & Karen Marucci Terry & Doris Ortman Rodney & Sharon Smith Perry & Tina MenerIn Honor of: Debi WalkerGiven by: Jean HarhaiIn Honor of: Aaron ZiebarthGiven by: Bible Adventure TeamIn Honor of: Joann CuthbertGiven by: Bill & Sharman ThomasIn Honor of: Elaine Hengst & Julie DruckGiven by: Canadochly Elementary Bible Adventure ListenersIn Honor of: Tammy BrownGiven by: Robert StackIn Honor of: Larry & Paulee Crider’s 50th AnniversaryGiven by: Alexa WilliamsMEMORIALSHONORARIUM

Email or call robin@joyel.org to RSVP for the work days at 717-369-4539.Call 717-369-4539 or visit our website at www.joyelcamps.org for info onadditional events and for online registration for camps and retreats.NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGECHAMBERSBURG, PAPERMIT NO. 233PAIDJournalDay Camp 1 - June 13-16 Day Camp 2 - June 19-23Day Camp 3 - June 26-30 Day Camp 4 - July 5-7 Day Camp 5 - July 10-14Day Camp 6 - July 17-21Day Camp 7 - July 24-28Day Camp 8 - July 31-August 4Energizer 1 - June 13-16Energizer 2 - June 18-23Energizer 3 - July 9-14Energizer 4 - July 23-28Energizerin Lanc. - July 30-Aug. 4CountyJumpstart 1 - June 25-30Jumpstart 2 - July 16-21Jumpstart 3 - July 30-August 4Leadership Experience - July 3-7Wilderness 1 - June 13-16Traverse Wilderness 1 - June 18-23Wilderness 2 - June 25-30Wilderness 3 - July 3-7Wilderness 4 - July 9-14Traverse Wilderness 2* - July 16-21Wilderness 5 - July 23-28Wilderness Trail Camp - July 30-August 4return address service requested3741 Joy El Dr. Greencastle, PA 17225Updates and EventsNow you can get the most up-to-date information on Joy El events along with updates on what God is doing through our ministry. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoyElCampsandRetreats/Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/explore/tags/joyelcamps/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/joyelcampsand%20retreatsMark Your CalendarsEvent4.12 Upper Level AssemblyFather-Daughter RetreatFor daughters in grades 1 to 12 4.12 Pizza/Paint Party & Work DayJoy El Work Day (Lunch provided)Joy El Work Day (Lunch provided)4.12 Graduation Celebrationand Fusion EventJune Leadership Training SummitShepherds Lodge Dedication4.12 Leadership Training SummitSummer Camp – “Called to Royalty”Informational Meeting forReturning 4.12 StudentsInformational Meeting forPotential 4.12 StudentsTime6:30PM – 8PM7PM Fri - 2PM Sun8AM - 1PM8AM - 1PM4PM – 8PM6:15PM – 7:20PM6:15PM – 7:20PMDateApr. 8Apr. 14-16Apr. 28-29Apr. 29May 13May 18June 9-11June 11June 11-13 June-AugJune 27 & July 6July 13, 18, & 27