GREENCASTLE- Joy El Generation/Camps and Retreats kicked off 2024 with a banquet celebrating staff members and welcoming new members to the board of directors. The banquet, held January 23
at Grand Point Church in Chambersburg, celebrated four key work anniversaries and welcomed
three new and returning board members.
Staff members Lois Ann Glessner, Jan Diaz, Justin Kipe and Amy Diehl marked 35, 15, 5, and 5 years of service, respectively. They were publicly celebrated and received gifts, followed by a special prayer time led by board vice chair the Rev. Nat Knoll and board secretary Penny Marks.
“I am deeply thankful for each member of the Joy El team,” declared CEO Aaron E. Ziebarth. “It is always a joy to mark significant anniversaries together.”
Board chair Dave Matthews, Jr., welcomed new and returning board members Curt Mitchell,
Scott Stouffer and Rod Teach.
Matthews acknowledged that the Joy El community has a lot to be thankful for as their $4.1
million “Igniting HOPE in generations that seek Him” capital campaign came to a very successful
conclusion last year. He and Ziebarth both look forward to what the new and returning board
members will be able to contribute as the ministry turns its attention to other projects, such as
celebrating 50 years of camping ministry at the camp’s current site, as well as “developing a
formalized loyalty club program for planned giving to help financially ungird the programs at
Joy El,” as Matthews described it.
Matthews thanked Suzette Grazette and Craig Witmer for their service as their time on the
board of directors concluded. Witmer will continue to serve on the finance committee.
