Outreach ministries are the lifeblood of Spirit of Joy. Outreach is about being the hands and feet of Jesus to the world where we work to create equality and work for justice. Outreach ministry is about ushering in the love, peace, unity, equality and justice that Jesus has taught us and sends us to accomplish in the world
"We are providing critical, lifesaving support and building resilience among the smallholding farmers so they’re able to produce enough food for themselves and improve their economy." (https://www.seedingmercy.org/our-story.html)
We partner with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest to provide assistance for those who are homeless. Unfortunately, each year, between 2.5 and 3.5 million people experience homelessness for some period of time. I-HELP, provides lodging, food, comfort, hope and opportunity for homeless women in Mesa and the East Valley. Part of this is case management, clothing and employment services as well as the development of “Life Plans” to achieve self-sufficiency.
Hunger kills approximately 6,200 children per year and is the leading cause of nearly half of deaths in children under 5 years old. This is heartbreaking. That’s why we gather multiple times per year working with other congregations and generous people to reduce hunger and starvation around the world through meal packing. Both kids and adults of all ages hand-pack nutritious MannaPack™ meal specifically designed to assist in reversing and preventing undernutrition. Join us!
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This is the work of love. People around the world are fleeing violence and seeking to live in peace. At SOJ we respond to people caught in conflict and facing persecution, advocating for their needs and interests, helping people access resources for basic human needs. We are in active partnerships with the Pheonix International Rescue Committee Coalition and the Lutheran Socail Service network to help those who are in need.
We recognize that each year there are children who go without gifts at Christmas. Started in 2013, we join other local congregations to build shoeboxes with gifts that are distributed through the Mesa Police department and Mesa Schools. This not only provides for children, but is an opportunity for positive and impactful connections to be made with law enforcement.
On any given night in Phoenix there are as many as 4,342 homeless individuals in shelters and 1,289 on the streets. We partner with Grace Lutheran (a sister congregation of the ELCA) as they run a heat respite shelter in the summer. Spirit of Joy typically delivers over 6,000 bottles of water each June.
We are committed to justice and partner with Lutheran Social Services and Lutheran World Relief to make a way for people who need a way. Education is one of the strongest tools a community has for breaking the cycle of poverty. Ensuring that girls attend school, especially in places where their access is deprioritized, has even stronger results. The School Kits we build contain essential supplies to help children – and in some cases, adults – continue learning in the face of serious obstacles. That learning leads to a better life for them, their families and their communities.
Each year people face the crisis of homelessness for various reasons. For over 30 years Save the Family has equipped families to address poverty, overcome homelessness and achieve self-sufficiency and dignity. Spirit of Joy has been blessed to be in partnership with Save the Family providing families with food and essentials for a Thanksgiving meal and gifts for families at Christmas.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings.
Our pastor is a trained and registered Prepare Enrich® counselor who provides individual and premarital counseling to individuals and couples. This counseling is designed to bring about self-awareness, and to provide insight and simple methodologies for better communication, conflict resolution, and problem solving. Evaluations may inspire a recommendation for
