What is Mission of Joy?

Mission of Joy is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to reach India with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mission of Joy (MOJ) has built numerous churches and 3 orphanages in Andhra Pradesh, South India. Clothing, food shelter, Christian education and staff support is presently provided for 200 children. Funds are provided by caring Christians. A monthly newsletter is sent to all interested believers. Mission of Joy is not funded or supported by any church or denomination.

Mission of Joy was founded by believers, with a heart for the lost in India, in the late 1980's. This ministry was opened on a shoestring and faith that God was leading. Christian volunteers gave their time, money and lives to bring the Gospel to those without Christ in India. Since its founding, Mission of Joy has launched and supported numerous Indian missionaries, who carry out the work in India. Through MOJ, compassionate Christians in various countries around the world, comfort the lonely, feed the hungry, shelter the orphan, and care for the widowed. A decade later, MOJ still operates with the same principles we began with. We don't pressure people to support us believing that God himself will draw those who should be part of our work. Further, we are all volunteers at MOJ. Therefore, we take no salary from the donations of those that support this work.

ORPHANAGES:

Presently, MOJ supports 200 children in 3 different orphanages. The children are cared for by 25 staff members. These dedicated Indian Christians feed, educate and serve as parents for these children. MOJ opened it's first orphanage in 1989, it's second orphanage in 1992 and it's third facility in 1994. Mission of Joy has grown from caring for 15 children in a rented facility to permanent facilities that now care for 200 children.

Three other cities have asked Mission of Joy to open orphanages for their many orphaned children. Presently, 100 additional children wait for the kind of care MOJ provides.

NATIVE MISSIONARIES:

Mission of Joy supports numerous Indian-born missionaries. The financial support provided by MOJ makes it possible for these poor believers to bring the Gospel to remote villages. Over 1 million villages exist in the nation of India. Most have never heard the name of "Jesus" Our prayerful heart is to send 100 new missionaries a year into the mission field.

CHURCHES:

MOJ builds churches on the average of 4 each year. Many of our native missionaries enter villages with little more than the clothing on their backs. The villages they are reaching have no knowledge of the message of the Gospel. We help them establish a church by providing a modest sum to construct a simple church. (The cost of these rarely exceeds $1,500).

We believe nations that have closed their doors to foreign missionaries can only be won for Christ by indigenous believers. It is our joy to support these courageous men and women.

EVANGELISTIC CRUSADES:

MOJ conducts an average of 25 crusades a year in India. During the winter of 1994, MOJ saw more than 10,000 Hindus and Muslims commit their lives to Christ. In 1996, we saw 3,000 more give their lives to Christ. We try to reach out to the most remote villages of India.

FOOD:

Many people live their lives on the edge of starvation in India. A bowl of rice is all that stands between life and death for many. MOJ attempts to feed as many as come to our door. Needless to say, this task is capable of outstripping our financial resources. God has helped us to serve thousands of meals each week to the poorest of the poor.

We believe we can make a difference, between heaven and hell, between life and death, for many in India. It is our desire to bring the gospel to a million unreached believers and provide permanent homes for many orphans. We build one orphanage at a time as God helps us.

We have established a sponsor program for Christians who feel led to help. For $40 a month, you can sponsor an orphan. This small amount provides food, shelter, clothing and education for one child in our care.

Mission of Joy is a non-profit organization and registered trade name. Mission of Joy is a non-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt by the US Internal Revenue Service. Mission of Joy is also one of the few foreign ministries that India recognizes as "tax-exempt" for serving orphans and widows in South India.

It is our desire to be above reproach when dealing with the resources of God's people. We do not believe God gets into financial difficulties - people do. We believe that where God guides, He provides. We believe He has made no promise that He will not keep. When we share about our desire to reach and save the lost, we do not desire to either manipulate or produce feelings of guilt. We only seek to give opportunity to be part of His work and lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven. (Matt 6:19-21)

No salaries are paid - we are all volunteers. Our goal is to send everything possible to the mission field. We have committed to keep expenses at or below 10% of income.

To reach and save the lost is our hearts' desire. Truly, it is these words from Jesus we seek: "Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom of Heaven prepared for you, For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; a stranger and you took Me in; naked and you clothed me; sick and you visited me; in prison and you came to me." (Matt 25: 34-36) The "Well done!" from Jesus is the reward we seek.