What is Joy from Jesus? 

We are so glad that you asked!  Joy from Jesus is an invitation based, community outreach for families in need of help at Christmas acquiring gifts for their children. These families are found through local community programs that assist those with financial needs of some type and then those families are extended an invitation from us to join our program.  Currently at this time we are an invitation only based program.

Joy From Jesus began as an annual event in December of 2012 at 1 church location with 126 children receiving gifts.  In 2022 we were blessed with the opportunity to serve at 2 church locations in which we were able to serve 327 children.  In December 2023 we served at 1 church location, and we were able to serve 320 families!  We are growing annually, and we are very excited to see what God has in store for our 2024 year!

On the day of the event the parents/guardians are welcomed and hear a short message from the pastor.

After hearing the Gospel, parents/guardians are then paired up and introduced to their “guide”. After being given a grocery cart, the guide will bring them through the toy room where tables are filled with new toys for them to choose from. They can shop at their leisure for gifts for their children.  It is always exciting to see what everyone picks for their children, and you can tell that they really enjoy looking for each child.  After they pick their gifts, they head to the wrapping room where our amazing volunteers wrap all their gifts for them!  This is where many wonderful conversations and relationships can be made!  After all of their gifts are wrapped parents/guardians also receive an age-appropriate backpack filled with school supplies, hygiene items, a few stocking stuffers and a blanket for each child. 

After the toys are wrapped, the families are brought to our clothing room where they can choose a jacket, hat and mittens, shoes, or boots for each child (while supplies last). There are also other items for them to choose from.

Parents/guardians also receive an emergency bucket filled with items such as an emergency radio, flashlights, blankets, first aid items, candles, lighters, a Bible and much more.  They also will receive a food box with foods like canned tuna and chicken, spaghetti sauce, noodles, rice, beans, other canned vegetables and many other types of foods.

Don't worry we didn't forget the babies!!  Children under the age of one receive a reusable laundry basket filled with blankets, wipes, teethers, bottles, baby shampoo, baby lotion,as well as other items for their parents/guardians to use and of course we also add some age-appropriate toys for them as well!

During the time the families are at our event they will be loved on, cared for, talked to, and are not left alone. We share with them and hear what they have to say, listening to their needs and even praying for them if they ask.  We ask that the families fill out Comment Cards at the end of their day with us so we know how to pray for them and the cards give them the opportunity to let us know what the program means for them.