Dear Friends,
November is here and we at JoyShop Ministries are very excited to share with you all that God has done this past year in providing the necessary resources to begin our huge dream project: Getting our workshop, “Seeking God First” into an affordable DVD series.
From the very first JoyShop I held at my home church in January of 2005, people were asking for it in DVD form. A year later, I had our church tape my workshop using poor quality DVDs that I had purchased at BJ’s! They were a hit except for one small problem . . . halfway through, the DVD would stop working and we were getting “nice” complaint calls. That is when I personally made the decision that I would not tape the workshop again until the ministry could afford to tape it professionally and of top quality.
Back in those days, my workshop was only two hours long. However, after many requests for more teaching, I slowly added to the workshop – and it is now close to five hours long! This type of a workshop can easily be made into a “series” that would be great in a church, Sunday school class, small group or retreat setting. The time has finally come to record the workshop! The taping will take place on Nov. 15-16 in the main ball room at the Lancaster Cork Factory Hotel.
Although we are extremely confident of the Lord’s leading and provisions, we have a responsibility to work hard and bring our best to this exciting opportunity. One way we are doing this is by hiring Shane and Kelle Ortiz, of Soteria Productions, based in Atlanta, Georgia. They have won more than 19 awards since 2002 and have clients such as Family Life Ministries, Grammy winning artists Third Day, Christian comedian Anita Renfroe, fast food’s premiere chicken provider, Chick-Fil-A and many other reputable organizations. Stephen Ostrander, a professional independent director in the world of film and video, will also be part of this team. He has won three Emmy awards for his work and most recently worked on the new film, “Courageous,” coming out soon from Sherwood Productions, the company that produced “Fireproof.” Not only are these people gifted with communicating powerful messages to their audiences but, more importantly, they love the Lord Jesus, and they thrive on anything that is going to reach more people with the gospel message of God’s love. I believe God has brought us together to produce the best possible product to reach the masses.
Using people of this caliber requires significant funds. We are looking to raise a total of $80,000 in order to give our best to God and His purposes. Your gift of $10, $25 or more is greatly needed and appreciated as we trust God to have all funds in hand by the end of November. Your gifts will affirm that we at JoyShop Ministries are correctly hearing God’s call for completion of a DVD.
Sometimes I ask God, “Is this project really worth spending this kind of money on the simple message you have compelled me to share?” As I have wrestled with Him on this because of my desire to be a good steward of any money this ministry receives, He continues to affirm the direction He is leading us. Sometimes it comes through the mail by an unexplainable significant contribution to the ministry. Other times it comes through personal notes received from young girls such as this one:


“Your message was very powerful and your story touched my heart . . . I was fighting back tears as I re-lived my own situation . . . . I, too, am 17 and have just gone through a pregnancy, but unlike you I took the easy way out and chose abortion. The procedure I chose was called a medical abortion, which is an alternative to a surgical procedure. In this way you can take a pill which causes the uterus to contract and expel the fetus. Around midnight after taking the pills I climbed out of bed and ran to the bathroom where I delivered my 8 week old fetus on the floor. Seeing my baby lying there, I screamed for my mother. I cried all night along after realizing what I had done. My heart was broken but my mother told me to pray, pray, pray. I did, and I felt God speak to me telling me that he forgave me and everything will heal over time. I now understand I cannot let my fears or the enemy speak over my life. Your testimony tonight offered more strength and help to me. Thank you for sharing.”
Other times it comes through a Facebook message like this one from a male who attended a JoyShop at the invitation of another student:
“Thank you for speaking at LMH this past Sunday night! It was very cool to hear your stories and it made me look back over my life again. This past week I've actually been getting up early in order to read the Bible and talk with God. I've tried it before but never could do it. So thanks for being the one who "pushed me over the edge." I'm so glad I came … Thanks again!
Friends, I just turned 54, and honestly, I don’t know how much longer I have to share this message. I am one person who can physically only do so much. Our message is foundational in meeting the need of a starving Church which no longer prioritizes daily time in God’s Word. Charles Stanley once said, “If you don’t have time for prayer and Bible Study, Satan is winning the war.” I need your help to get JoyShop’s message out to battle against Satan’s strategies of defeat in the lives of believers everywhere!!!
Time is running out; the Lord’s return is nearer every day and until He returns, He requires each of us to be faithful and multiply the “talents” He has given us!
May each of us be faithful with those talents! And may we hear on His return, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the JOY of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23) Will you personally join me in this battle by contributing to this DVD project and affirm God’s call for us. The need as noted is great, but we believe God will provide through you. Thank you.
Serving together,
Anita
Anita Keagy
Founder, JoyShop Ministries