At En-Joy Ministries, we hold fast to our mission: “Planting seeds of joy, we cultivate vibrant faith to grow mature disciples who share Christ’s love.” Inspired by Nehemiah 8:10— “The joy of the Lord is our strength”—we believe that cultivating joy in the hearts of believers is the foundation for growing faith and equipping God’s people for the work of ministry. As my friend often says, “Jesus builds the Church; leaders are to build the people” (Ephesians 4:9-13). This truth shapes our vision of a thriving community of joyful believers, rooted in Scripture, united in koinonia, and equipped to live out their faith with skill and purpose. Today, let’s explore how we cultivate joy and equip believers, not just from the pulpit but through intentional, hands-on discipleship that transforms lives for God’s glory.

Cultivating Joy: Preparing the Soil for Ministry

To cultivate is to nurture with purpose, like a farmer tending soil to ensure a bountiful harvest. At En-Joy Ministries, we cultivate joy—the deep, Spirit-given fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)—by creating space for God’s Word to take root in hearts. This joy isn’t fleeting happiness but a resilient force that strengthens believers for the work of ministry. As we till the soil through vibrant worship, heartfelt prayer, and practical outreach like Greenwalt Farms or Barron’s Cooking for Jesus, we prepare believers to receive God’s truth and grow in faith.

Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us that Christ gives leaders to “equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” The Greek word for “equip” (katartismos) paints a vivid picture: it means mending a broken bone or setting a joint, so the body functions perfectly. Just as a farmer cultivates land to optimize growth, leaders cultivate believers by mending hearts, imparting wisdom, and preparing them for their God-given roles. At En-Joy Ministries, we believe this equipping happens not only from the pulpit but through every interaction—mentoring, training, and serving together.

Think of Sue, a member of a local church we met, whose joy radiated despite life’s trials. By cultivating her heart through daily gratitude and service, she became a living testimony, sharing Christ’s love with others. Her story reflects our Practical Ministries, where we share scripture-filled egg cartons or deliver meals, planting seeds of joy that equip believers to serve. Cultivating joy is the first step in preparing God’s people for the supernatural work of ministry, where every member contributes to the body’s growth (Ephesians 4:16).

Equipping Believers: Growing Faith for the Harvest

While we cultivate, God brings the growth. Growing faith means nurturing a living trust in God that matures into stability, integrity, and purpose (Ephesians 4:13-15). In Ephesians 4, Paul describes a body where every member is equipped, not just select leaders, to do the work of ministry. This equipping is a process of making fit—training, perfecting, and preparing believers to function as the Great Physician intended, with no part of the body “out of joint.”

At En-Joy Ministries, we take this call seriously. Our workshops, like Commitment Training for Spiritual Growth and Testimony Training for Evangelism, go beyond standardized lessons to provide hands-on tools for discipleship. We mentor believers to discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:14), share their faith boldly, and lead others to Christ, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Our Gap Analysis Program helps churches align with God’s vision, ensuring every member is equipped to contribute to numerical expansion and internal strengthening (Ephesians 4:16).

Consider a new believer who steps into our Bible study with just a spark of curiosity. Through mentoring and the koinonia of our community, their small mustard seed of faith (Matthew 17:20) grows into a bold trust in God, capable of moving mountains in their life. This is the harvest we seek: mature disciples who are stable, not “tossed back and forth by the waves” (Ephesians 4:14), and who speak the truth in love (v. 15). As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” We cultivate and equip, trusting God to grow faith that transforms lives.

Beyond the Pulpit: Building People Through Koinonia

The work of ministry isn’t confined to the pulpit—it thrives in the koinonia of community, where believers share life and build one another up. At En-Joy Ministries, we foster this biblical fellowship through home group Bible studies, worship led by my family, and outreach that reflects Christ’s love. My wife, Kristyn, and our children serve through music ministry, creating harmony that equips others to worship with joy. Our goal is a church where every member supplies their contribution, like a body knit together by every joint (Ephesians 4:16).

Equipping believers requires more than sermons; it demands mentoring, imparting, and discipling. Our Servant Leadership Workshop and Spiritual Gifts Inventory help believers discover their God-given functions, while our Worship Leader Training Retreat prepares them to lead with skill. These efforts reflect the supernatural ministry Paul describes—not flashy displays but the quiet, vital work of building spiritually functional people who strengthen the whole body.

Join the Journey: Cultivate, Equip, Grow

At En-Joy Ministries, we’re cultivating joy and equipping believers to grow in faith, just as Psalm 1:3 describes a tree yielding fruit in season. Jesus builds the Church, but we’re called to build His people, preparing them for works of service that glorify God. Whether it’s through a Bible study at Grace Assembly of God, a meal delivered through Barron’s Cooking for Christ, or a workshop that sharpens your faith, we invite you to join us in this journey.

Here’s how you can start today:

• Attend a Bible Study: Experience our joyful community and deep teachings. Check our Events Page (coming soon) for details.
• Join a Workshop: Sign up for Five-Fold Training or Testimony Training to grow in spiritual maturity.
• Serve with Us: Volunteer at Greenwalt Farms or Barron’s Cooking for Christ to share Christ’s love.
• Support Our Mission: Your generosity helps us cultivate joy and equip disciples. Visit https://enjoyministries.org/support-en-joy-ministries/ to partner with us.

Reflection Question: What’s one way you can cultivate joy or equip another believer this week? Share your thoughts below or at barron@greenwaltdiversified.com—we’d love to hear from you!

Let’s cultivate joy together, equip God’s people, and trust Him for a harvest of vibrant faith. As we build one another up, we’ll see a thriving community that shines for God’s glory.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” —Nehemiah 8:10