The Joyland Worship area in the Willard gym on Sunday Morning.
Submitted by Jasper C.
What’s striking about this scene at Joyland is that, unlike many other kids’ camps and programs, there are just as many (if not more) teachers as there are kids – this is apparent because the children are scattered among a sea of yellow-shirts, and not the other way around. Upon looking closer, you see that those wearing the yellow-shirts seem to have little in common with each other apart from that T-Shirt – their ages range from as young as a high school junior to as old as parents of a high school student, and their weekly schedules and routines are just as different. However, the unity evident in this Sunday morning scene captures the essence of the church. People who might otherwise have nothing to do with each other are instead working together as one body – all for the purpose of making God’s love real for these kids.
I am still amazed that we are able to put this kind of program for the kids. When I am with the kids, it doesn’t really matter how I feel because I am filled with joy when I see them smile, jump around dancing or climbing up their ‘giant’ teachers. This picture really does capture the work we are all committed to in order to bring God’s love into the lives of these kids even for a few hours every Sunday.