First Quarter 2023 Newsletter
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Joel 2 Missions, Inc.
"So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten...You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame." (Joel 2:25-26).
The Homes Project
Vision Statement
The vision of Joel 2 Missions is to create sustainable Christian healing and discipleship communities around the world.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to establish sustainable Christian discipleship communities that foster healing in women and children that have experienced various forms of abuse through education, counseling, and biblical discipleship.
Healing Springs Gathering-- Come Worship the Lord With Us!!!
Check out our new service days and times!
I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. (Isaiah 41:18)
I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. (Isaiah 41:18)
At Healing Springs Gathering, we believe that every Believer can and should experience the Presence of God in real and tangible ways as they press into His Word, walk out His directions in daily life, and love one another in such a way that we exhibit the truth of Christ. Our goal is to provide a place where the people of God can experience intimate relationship with Him as they learn about His Word, how to apply it, and how to love like He loves. If you are looking for a church family and feel called to a home where the Spirit of the Lord is moving in power, please come visit us one Friday evening at 234 Arensburg Road, East Millsboro, PA 15433. Worship begins at 6:30 pm. Our Pastor is Paula Millsaps. She is humbled by the opportunity to teach and preach God's Word. We look forward to meeting you and your family soon!
Meet Our Board of Directors
Paula Millsaps—President of the Board/Founding Director of Joel 2 Missions, Inc./Senior Pastor of Healing Springs Gathering My name is Paula Millsaps. I am the Founder and Director of Joel 2 Missions, Senior Pastor of Healing Springs Gathering, and President of the Board of Directors. My passion for the vision of J2M was inspired by the call of God on my life to help others through various situations that I have experienced in my own life. I have been abused, drug-addicted, poor, under-educated, rejected, and abandoned... the list goes on and on. BUT when I met Jesus, my life was completely transformed! Now I am loved, free, blessed beyond measure, well-educated, accepted, and I belong to an awesome family...the family of God! All that He has done for me, He wants to do for everyone, and I am honored to be one of the vessels He has chosen to proclaim His truth. Out of the desire to truly be the hands and feet of God in the earth, came the vision for Joel 2 Missions. We are a non-profit ministry with a vision to house the homeless, feed the hungry, educate all who desire wisdom; and much more. The different branches of Joel 2 Missions combine to call in the hurting through books, media, and outreach events. It is our mission to help supply the physical needs of people while giving them the Spiritual answers to how they find freedom and maintain it. We want to help them find the gold inside of themselves and allow Holy Spirit to polish it for His use. For more information, feel free to contact us anytime.
As a daughter of the Most-High God who has been healed, delivered, and set free from a history of childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and subsequent years of drug and alcohol addiction, Paula Millsaps has a lifetime of experience that gives her a unique understanding of the hearts of God’s precious ones that we serve through Joel 2 Missions. Born and raised in North Carolina, she served in various positions of leadership since 2008 including Children’s Church Director, Deaconess, Intercessor, and Prayer Ministry Facilitator. In 2014 she became a Certified Peer Support Specialist, WRAP Facilitator, and Illness Management and Recovery Trainer for the NC State Board of Mental Health through Coastal Care in Wilmington, NC and she completed Crisis Management and Chaplain training through the International Fellowship of Chaplains in October 2015. She completed her undergrad degree at Liberty University in December of 2015 and her Master of Arts in Christian Ministry-Pastoral Counseling in December 2017. She completed her Doctor of Education-Christian Ministry and Church Leadership through the Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University in May 2022. Paula completed Faith-based Domestic Violence Training under FOCUS Ministries in Pittsburgh, PA in 2018. Dr. Millsaps is blessed to be the mother of two amazing young adults who both attended Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC and she currently resides in Donora, PA in the Joel 2 Missions Staff House. She has been honored to publish two books, Letters from Daddy and This is My Story, both born out of her testimony of healing through Christ from past wounds and addictions. It is her humble honor to serve the Lord, His people, and this ministry.
Lindsay Bowman- Secretary-Treasurer of the Board/ Social Media and Networking Coordinator for Joel 2 Missions, Inc.
Born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, Lindsay has always had the desire to help others in need. After graduating in 2011 from Duquesne University with a B.S. in Elementary Education, she discovered a great joy in enriching the lives of children as an educator for five years. In 2015, she completed her Master’s Degree in Reading and Language Arts from Duquesne University in order to better help children with reading disabilities and difficulties. Her life radically changed after an intense encounter with God’s love in 2015. When this happened, she was led to switch jobs and started working as a Testing Coordinator at Duquesne University in the School of Nursing. This career shift has opened many doors to spread the Good News of the Gospel on campus. Lindsay volunteers her time in helping to lead the Nursing Christian Fellowship student group on campus. The Lord also downloaded vision to hold a once a month campus wide gathering called Power Hour of Prayer as a time in unity to worship and honor our mighty God. As part of the Joel 2 Missions prayer ministry team, Lindsay is passionate about assisting others through the guidance of Holy Spirit to unchain people from their bondages and equip them with freedom to walk out the purpose God created them to accomplish. Her heart's cry is to continue to walk closer with the Lord in every desire of His will for her life. Lindsay now lives in community with other staff of Joel 2 Missions in the ministry-owned staff house.
Born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, Lindsay has always had the desire to help others in need. After graduating in 2011 from Duquesne University with a B.S. in Elementary Education, she discovered a great joy in enriching the lives of children as an educator for five years. In 2015, she completed her Master’s Degree in Reading and Language Arts from Duquesne University in order to better help children with reading disabilities and difficulties. Her life radically changed after an intense encounter with God’s love in 2015. When this happened, she was led to switch jobs and started working as a Testing Coordinator at Duquesne University in the School of Nursing. This career shift has opened many doors to spread the Good News of the Gospel on campus. Lindsay volunteers her time in helping to lead the Nursing Christian Fellowship student group on campus. The Lord also downloaded vision to hold a once a month campus wide gathering called Power Hour of Prayer as a time in unity to worship and honor our mighty God. As part of the Joel 2 Missions prayer ministry team, Lindsay is passionate about assisting others through the guidance of Holy Spirit to unchain people from their bondages and equip them with freedom to walk out the purpose God created them to accomplish. Her heart's cry is to continue to walk closer with the Lord in every desire of His will for her life. Lindsay now lives in community with other staff of Joel 2 Missions in the ministry-owned staff house.
Susan Samol-Vice President of the Board/Facilities Director of Joel 2 Missions, Inc.
Susan Samol is a tireless member of the Joel 2 Missions team. Having worked for the American Red Cross as a volunteer coordinator for many years, Susan has the talent and skills to organize volunteer efforts while maintaining donations and organization in the facility. Susan has an amazing heart which is displayed through her tremendous love for her family. Always with one of her grandchildren in tow, Susan is the beautiful one who will serve as house mother once our doors are open for residents. Her love of God and family along with her desire to see women heal from trauma motivate her to be an integral part of all this ministry does.
Susan Samol is a tireless member of the Joel 2 Missions team. Having worked for the American Red Cross as a volunteer coordinator for many years, Susan has the talent and skills to organize volunteer efforts while maintaining donations and organization in the facility. Susan has an amazing heart which is displayed through her tremendous love for her family. Always with one of her grandchildren in tow, Susan is the beautiful one who will serve as house mother once our doors are open for residents. Her love of God and family along with her desire to see women heal from trauma motivate her to be an integral part of all this ministry does.
Rusty and Melissa Elliott--Vice Chairs of the Board/Pastors of Transformation Christian Center
Rusty and Melissa Elliott are the co-founders and senior pastors of Transformation Christian Center in Moundsville, WV. Rusty is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and, in addition to his pastoral duties, has worked for the USPS for more than 20 years. He is also an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. Melissa has been involved in various pastoral roles since 1999 including the United Methodist Church, house church and para-church ministries. She is currently enrolled in Liberty University with the long-term goal of obtaining a Doctor of Ministry degree. Melissa is ordained through the Apostolic Network of Global Awakening and the church is also a member of the network. Both Rusty and Melissa are members of the North Central WV Emmaus and Chrysalis Community and are the Northern Panhandle regional leaders for the WV Prayer Alliance. They reside in lovely, rural Marshall County, WV and have been married since 1988. Rusty and Melissa are also blessed with three grown children, a daughter-in-law, and two beautiful grandchildren.
Rusty and Melissa Elliott are the co-founders and senior pastors of Transformation Christian Center in Moundsville, WV. Rusty is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and, in addition to his pastoral duties, has worked for the USPS for more than 20 years. He is also an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. Melissa has been involved in various pastoral roles since 1999 including the United Methodist Church, house church and para-church ministries. She is currently enrolled in Liberty University with the long-term goal of obtaining a Doctor of Ministry degree. Melissa is ordained through the Apostolic Network of Global Awakening and the church is also a member of the network. Both Rusty and Melissa are members of the North Central WV Emmaus and Chrysalis Community and are the Northern Panhandle regional leaders for the WV Prayer Alliance. They reside in lovely, rural Marshall County, WV and have been married since 1988. Rusty and Melissa are also blessed with three grown children, a daughter-in-law, and two beautiful grandchildren.
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Kristy Over--Fundraising Chair
Originally from the Uniontown area, Kristy has lived in numerous areas and travelled extensively related to my husband, Gary’s, Naval career. After his retirement, the Overs moved back to Fayette County to take care of Kristy’s ailing parents. They are currently members of Asbury United Methodist Church in Uniontown. During her employment career, Kristy had the opportunity to work in several fields: mainly healthcare and nonprofit. She has worked for healthcare providers, health insurance companies as well as benefit management companies. She worked for a large Defense Contractor and was Executive Administrator for a children’s agency outside of Washington, DC and works as a free-lance grant writer in her spare time. She is currently Director, Client Management for an international health care company. The Overs currently live in Uniontown with their new, baby puppy Luna. They have two children and five grandchildren. Their son, Gary, is a Lt. Colonel in the US Air Force. He is currently stationed at Fallon, NV/TOPGUN wth his wife, Danielle and his 3 children, Gary, Adriana and Emma. Their daughter Melissa is a registered nurse who is finishing up her schooling to be a Nurse Practitioner. She lives in Uniontown with her husband, Tom and their twin daughters, Isabella, and Alexandra. |
Our First Priority
The first community that we would like to establish will be for female survivors of intimate partner violence and their children. Intimate partner violence has reached alarming statistics and this population of people is among the most under served in our nation. This population is near and dear to Sister Paula's heart because she and her children are survivors themselves. Our hope is to begin housing these women and children as soon as the Lord sees that the time has come. He has already made the way for Joel 2 Missions to purchase a 48,000 square foot building that sits on 8.6 acres of land. This facility will be able to house around 100 women and children and the land will help serve the needs of these precious ones through farming. Single mothers, pregnant women, female veterans, those transitioning from prison to the world, those struggling with addictions, and women coming out of the sex industry will be considered for residency also. If you are interested in volunteering in any way (we really need house parents), or making a tax deductible contribution, please visit the link below.
Joel 2 Missions is a 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax deductible.
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