Joy of Jesus, Inc.

Summary

Joy of Jesus, Inc. ("Joy of Jesus") is an interdenominational Christian organization whose mission is to positively influence urban youth, families and their environment with Christ-centered programs that can be replicated in other communities. This ministry has chosen not to be open and transparent with MinistryWatch.com. As such it is difficult to understand all aspects of its ministry.

Contact Information: [ Back to top ]

Organization Details [ Back to top ]

Purpose [ Back to top ]

Joy of Jesus, Inc. ("Joy of Jesus") is an interdenominational Christian organization whose mission is to positively influence urban youth, families and their environment with Christ-centered programs that can be replicated in other communities.

To fulfill this mission, Joy of Jesus conducts coordinated programs in the Ravendale neighborhood of Detroit to promote community awareness, health and employment, positive relations between youth and adults, and to build a strong community for all residents. These ongoing programs include: Youth Development (summer camp, after school spiritual, recreational, and character development programs); New Child Development Center (a Christ-centered, preschool through second grade learning facility); Training Community Development (referrals for job training and placement, food bank, assistance to residents, community activities, and sale of homes to low and moderate income residents); Camden House (provides counseling and family intervention to residents of the Ravendale neighborhood); Detroit Center for Entrepreneurship (mission is to assist youth and adults alike in the development of their vision as an entrepreneur; to change the mindset and rate of illiteracy in inner-city youth and aid in the development of character, self-esteem, leadership and employment skills); and, G.A.P. (provides guidance to welfare families from the start, when they still have a welfare mentality, to the development of dependable working habits, flowing from a new "work mentality"). Joy of Jesus receives the majority of its funding from corporate foundations and individual contributions.

This ministry has chosen not to be open and transparent with MinistryWatch.com. As such it is difficult to understand all aspects of its ministry.

Prudent donors want to understand what it is they are going to support. Some ministries claim they have no legal obligation to share financial or other information — but they do have a moral obligation to do so. Without access to comprehensive ministry information it is not possible for donors to make optimal giving decisions. Ministries that seek to obscure critical information from scrutiny undermine the faith and trust of donors and damage attitudes that have a long term negative impact. For those few ministries that state it has no legal obligation, it should be noted that donors are even less so obligated with any legalist obligation to give, but they do have a moral obligation to give in a prudent and wise fashion. Transparency is a consensus of practical sound wisdom. Many Christians are willing to live ethically without a governmental entity mandating that they do so. Transparency is the key component to a growing and prosperous donor — ministry relationship and fundamental to long-term ministry success. Information, however, must be timely, relevant, accurate and complete for it to be used effectively.

Christians should have nothing to fear by being open. All will be judged at a future date, and with this thought in mind, how are we to conduct ourselves before God today? Organizations described as “Christian Ministries” are at least giving people an image of God. Is God characterized as closed, impartial and hidden; or, open, personable and knowable? Scripture enjoins Christians to conduct themselves honestly (1 Thes. 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:2), with due candor (Jms. 5:12) and grace (Col. 4:6), without deliberate offense to Jew, Gentile or the Church of God (1 Cor. 10:32), with decency and orderliness (1 Cor. 14:40), blameless, giving no occasion for rebuke (Phil. 2:15), and offering no opportunity for false accusation (1 Pet. 3:16). Responsibility for the resources God has placed in the trust of His saints is called “stewardship” in the Bible (1 Pet. 4:10), the person responsible for the resources is called the “steward” (Lk. 12:42; 16:1-8). Most Christians would not argue with the principle that the chief aim of man is to ...”to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” However, how can a “Christian Ministry” “glorify God” if they are not open? Are not organizations that hide things characterized as cults? Should not Christian ministries lead by example? Besides being characterized as a steward, Christians can be characterized as ambassadors and as light because God is light. Just these few summary ideas indicate that Christian ministries should be open and transparent. In addition, responsibility to God is linked to responsibility to government and mankind.

MinistryWatch.com's hope is that Christian ministries are indeed an example to follow and not otherwise. It is one of our premises that Christians should be light in a world of darkness and as such, Christians should be setting the standard by their conduct.

It is not enough for ministries to live up to the minimum of any written law, or to give all men their due. Ministries ought to give them more than their due. Ministries should be concentrating on the good of others, seeking reward in self-denial and sacrifice, and not of personal advantage. Therefore ministries should treat others as they would want to be treated by them, regardless of unworthiness and ingratitude.

Donors should be seeking information before they give as well as after. Before in order to have an idea where the money is intended, as well as if it corresponds to the donors values. And then after to see if it really happened. Trust but verify, so that they know if they would desire to continue to give.

Mission Statement [ Back to top ]

Joy of Jesus express their mission as follows:

The mission of Joy of Jesus is to positively influence urban youth, families and their environment with Christ-centered programs that can be replicated.

Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]

Need Program Accomoplishments info

Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]

Joy of Jesus is based on the following beliefs:

1. Christian love changes lives.
2. The mission is inspired by scripture and guided and sustained by prayer.
3. Initiatives that offer a "Hand Up" and foster self-reliance and community responsibility should replace support systems that are based on a "Hand Out" philosophy.

History [ Back to top ]

Need History Info

Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with specific needs to be posted on the profile. At such a time that MinistryWatch.com receives a response from the ministry, it will be posted immediately.

Research Analysis

Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]

MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]

Ranking Category	Rating	Overall Rank	Community Development Sector
Overall Efficiency Rating		281 of 347	19 of 26
Fund Acquisition Decision		275 of 347	18 of 26
Resource Allocation Decision		195 of 347	10 of 26
Asset Utilization Decision		268 of 347	19 of 26

Donor Alert [ Back to top ]