Dear Friends,

We are the House of Joy. We are individuals with families that have grown into a community called to a higher purpose than our own. We are a people with a heart and mission of restoration. Our purpose of restoration carries many visions within it.

What started as a seed, like an acorn, is growing into a whole expression, like an oak tree. Every endeavor will follow this pattern as we grow up into this purpose of restoration. Our visions are as varied as the people who carry them.

We long to see a people who serve become the expression that they offer to others. We have hearts to love and serve others at their point of need, not ours. We desire to "come along side" those that come to our door.

I am so glad that you have found your way here to the House of Joy, either by inquiry, curiosity or happenstance. There is much I could say but I will simply state what has been entrusted to us:

1. We believe restoration begins with "the one."
2. We believe restoration, when creative, changes the one who gives as well as the one who receives.
3. We believe this house is to be a storehouse of provision to supply the needs of others.
4. We believe that our expression of "helps", in reality, are many parts making up the whole, whether they be counseling, mentoring, ministry, life skills or just love and friendship.
5. We believe that the lifeblood of the House of Joy are the people who serve and they, as well as the programs, are to be submitted one to the other, affirming the importance of each.
6. We believe our mission of restoration will be a beacon of hope that generates life for a whole expression.
7. We believe the foundation of this house has already been laid and this house will be built with "Joy".

As the House of Joy offers itself to serve, I believe that we will learn, grow and experience our own changes and then be called "oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified". It is with confidence that we step in to these places of disrepair, devastations and ruin knowing that the works have been prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. We will rebuild, we will raise up and repair many precious individuals, families, and communities, thereby creating an impact that will change cities, states, nations and even the world. Impacting the world is only possible in the changing of "one heart". It all begins with "one".

Many thanks go to those who have laid their lives down in the pursuing of this purpose. For those yet to come and serve with us, we welcome you and invite you to come and enter the "Joy" of giving your life so that others might live.

Sincerely,

Carol Ellis

>> back to top