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Welcome to Pure Joy International
Linking Local Women to Women Serving Around the World!
2011 was an amazing year for Pure Joy International. We were able to personally touch and encourage the lives of 150 women serving overseas! The slide show to the left features photos from our most recent retreat.
We are currently working to finalize plans for a retreat in the Dominican Republic to be held in May. As soon as we have everything set we will be opening registration so spread the word that Pure Joy is on its way there!
Weekly comments from Vickie Arruda, founder of Pure Joy International. Keep up to date on what is going on in Vickie's life and the life of the ministry!
After every retreat, we ask our ladies to share with us their stories and thoughts. Click here to read what God is accomplishing in the lives of women through Pure Joy International!
We know that there are many around the world that prayerfully support Pure Joy on a regular basis. We desire to provide more in-depth information about the ministry to you!
Spiritual
To partake of spiritual meals to replenish and strengthen them for their journeys.
Mental
Rest from giving, enter into a rest of receiving.
Emotional
A safe place to share without fear of failure or condemnation.
Physical
Housing, materials, and meals.
Please Note: Pure Joy International retreats are for women serving throughout the world. The nature and content of the retreat is appropriate for married, single, widowed, and divorced women but is not a setting for nursing infants and or children. The ministry very specifically desires to place women in an environment that allows them to rest, receive teaching, fellowship with sisters, and relax and be refreshed. It is a time to step back from the family and the daily grind and be encouraged by one another.
Upcoming Retreats Scheduled for 2012
Will be posted as soon as firm dates and locations are set
Resources from the Peru Retreat are currently available in the section below!
If you attended the retreat and did not receive an email with the password please contact us so that we can get it to you.
Information from recently completed retreats can be found by clicking here - this is a password protected page and only contains information for women that have attended past retreats. If you have forgotten the password contact us.
Media Contact
For media inquiries regarding Pure Joy International, please contact Vickie Arruda at vickie_purejoyinternational.org.
You can donate to Pure Joy by credit card using the PayPal Service by clicking on the button below. If you are not a PayPal user you can still donate through this site with your credit card or checking account. We are pleased to provide this safe and convenient way for you to partner with the ministry. Pure Joy is a 501c organization and your donations to the ministry are tax deductible.
The Bible tells us in Romans 12:4-6, "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the other. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us."
There are several ways that anyone can become involved in Pure Joy International Ministries:
Church Sponsorship
Speaking
Leading Praise & Worship
Special Interest Areas
Also, we ask that you prayerfully consider if God would desire you to become involved through financial support to help allow us to be faithful to the task God has put before us.
"so let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you..." Hebrews 4:16
If you feel God leading you or your church to be involved with Pure Joy in any way please e-mail Vickie so that together we can watch God work out the details. vickie_purejoyinternational.org
Donate
If you prefer to mail your donation please make your check payable to Pure Joy International and send your tax deductible check to us at the following address:
Pure Joy International
c/o Patty Shipp, Donor Coordinator
PO Box 36
Plumerville, Arkansas 72127
The following statements are taken directly off of feedback forms that we ask women to complete after the retreat have ended. We praise God for what He is accomplishing in the lives of women through Pure Joy International.
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Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry
Plumerville, AR 72127
Phone: 1.501.208.4605
Email: vickie_purejoyinternational.org
Privacy Notice
Our Commitment To Privacy
Your privacy is important to us. To better protect your privacy we provide this notice explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used. To make this notice easy to find, we make it available on our homepage.
The Information We Collect:
This notice applies to all information collected or submitted on the Pure Joy International website. On some pages you can make donations, requests, or ask to receive more information. The types of personal information collected at these pages are:
Name
Address
Email address
Phone number
Credit/Debit Card Information
(etc.)
The Way We Use Information:
We use the information you provide about yourself only to complete your request. We do not share this information with outside parties except in cases when you ask us to share the information.
We use return email addresses to answer the email we receive. Such addresses are not used for any other purpose and are not shared with outside parties.
Finally, we never use or share the personally identifiable information provided to us online in ways unrelated to the ones described above without also providing you an opportunity to opt-out or otherwise prohibit such unrelated uses.
Our Commitment To Data Security
To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.
How To Contact Us
Should you have other questions or concerns about these privacy policies, please call us at 501-208-5800 or send us an email at vickie_purejoyinternational.org.
Vickie Arruda
Founder/President
Melinda Emerson
Graphic Design Artist
Patty Shipp
Webmaster/
Technical/Financial Administrator
Linda Roach
Administrative Assistant
Ruth McWhite
Board Member
Jerre Moore
Holly Hilderbrand
Board Secretary
Jennifer Halbrook
Advisor
Kenny Shipp
Retreat Team Resources
Was there a team member at a retreat that really connected with your heart as they spoke? We have listed online links here to help you get more information.
Online
Devotionals
We often hear that women need good devotional material. Crosswalk.com is a great resource for devotionals. You can sign up to have the devotionals delivered to your email address.
Vickie resides in Morrilton, Arkansas where her Biblical counseling ministry and Pure Joy International office is located. In June 2008 she resigned her position as Biblical Counselor on staff at FBC Morrilton, AR to go full time with Pure Joy International. She has served on staff as a Biblical Counselor at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, Texas and Gracemont Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
She received her Bachelor of Science from Arkansas Tech University in 1977. After teaching Middle School for two years, she returned to school to obtain her Masters of Science degree in School Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas.
Vickie traveled with the Great Hills Retreat Ministry, also known as Regeneration Retreat Ministry, for ten years. She has served as Chaplain to FCA Youth camps and her speaking engagements have included many different conferences related to Marriage, Parenting, Singles, and Women. She has also taught at the IMB's Missionary Learning Center, NAMB's HeartCall Alaska and HeartCall Canada, as well as many other speaking engagements.
In 1999, she took her first retreat team overseas to minister to missionary women in Quito, Ecuador. It was during this trip that God conceived in her the desire to take Women's Retreats to women missionaries all over the world! She returned to Ecuador in 2000 and 2007. She has also taken retreat teams to Dakar, Senegal, West Africa, in 2002 and 2003, Malawi, East Africa, in 2004, Amman, Jordan in 2006 and 2009, Costa Rica in 2008 and 2011, Venezuela in 2008, Southeast Asia and Poland 2009, and Uganda, Africa in 2011.
Her heart is for God's children to recognize that God has given us everything we need to walk in victory through the knowledge of His Word, the acceptance and belief of His Word, and obedience to His Word!
Back to Staff Page
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Linda has lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma for most of her life. She and her husband, Phil , were married in 1966. They have a son, a daughter, and 5 grandchildren. Linda has a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the University of Tulsa and, in years past, taught school and private piano and voice.
She served as Worship Associate at Gracemont Baptist Church for over 20 years. Her areas of responsibility included choirs for Children, Senior Adults, and also the Handbell Ministry. Over the years, as a workshop/conference leader, Linda has had the opportunity to help people grow in their use of music as a means of witness and worship.
Linda is currently serving in the office of Evergreen Baptist Church, Tulsa, where she and her husband have been members since 2001.
Linda has been serving in the capacity of Administrative Assistant for Pure Joy since 1999. This is certainly something that she never expected to be doing and she counts it as a great privilege that the Lord allows her to share in the lives of His children around the world.
Wendy Stotts
Publicity and Administrative Support
Wendy has served alongside her husband, Jeff, in the ministry for 20 years. Jeff currently serves as the Worship Pastor at Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas. They have served God in five churches in Arkansas and Oklahoma during those 20 years. Wendy holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Arkansas Tech University and spent 14 years in marketing communications and public relations in Corporate America prior to the family's move to Oklahoma City in 2001. That move was a major turning point in the family's journey. It was at that point that Wendy began to realize how God had allowed her to accomplish her earthly goals and then began to show her that His plans for her were far better.
Wendy has served in numerous roles in the church including "PraiseKids" Children's Worship Ministry Director at Central Baptist Church, teaching Senior High Girls Sunday School for many years, singing whenever needed by her husband - (sometimes asked just before the intro to the song - can any of you relate?) - and in various roles in the AWANA ministry. She also worked with preschoolers as the director of the Mother's Day Out program at the church in OKC. Her favorite role is keeping her family organized and driving the Stotts children's taxi.
Wendy is a four year breast cancer "overcomer in Christ" (as Vickie says). She and Jeff have three children - Wade (16), Will (13) and Melody (8).
One of Wendy's life verses is "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13.
Graphic Designer
Melinda Emerson lives with her husband of 30 years, Steve, in Jonesboro, AR. They have three sons, Brandon, Bryan and Blake, two daughters-in-love, Amanda and Renee, and a precious grandson, Eli born December 11, 2009. After teaching secondary art in Little Rock and Jonesboro, Melinda retired to chase other dreams: jewelry design, painting and crafting Besides raising her boys, her favorite job was painting murals on the walls on their new Central Baptist Church building walls. Melinda first met Molly Missionary (PureJoys mascot) when she traveled on her first retreat mission to Jordan in 2006. She became the Graphic Designer for Pure Joy and enjoys living vicariously through Molly and all her journeys. One of her favorite verses is Zephaniah 3:17
"The LORD your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."
Webmaster/Technical/Financial Administrator
Patty has a Bachelors degree in Organizational Management from Central Baptist College. She holds several computer certifications and considers herself a computer nerd. She has participated in Pure Joy retreats in Malawi and Uganda, Africa, Amman, Jordon, Quito Ecuador, Costa Rica, Venezuela, South Asia, Poland, and Peru. Patty has been married to her husband, Kenny, for 32 years. Together they own and operate Hightower Oil and Petroleum where she works full-time. They have 4 children - Kevin and his wife Hillary and Kyle and his wife Krystal and 1 granddaughter, Arden Grace.
Her life verse is Jeremiah 29:11 ------ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. This verse speaks to me of the fact that God has a plan for our lives that is continuous, He doesnt have one goal for us to accomplish and then He is through with us. He wants to guide us from one victory to another in this journey toward our final home..
Holly lives in Austin, TX. She came to faith at the young age of eight and felt the Lord’s tug on her heart to surrender to full-time ministry when she was a Jr. in High School. She served on staff of Great Hills Baptist Church for 13 years before she felt God was moving her on to something different. 2010 marked a wild spiritual journey with God that brought her to where she is today. She currently serves on staff of Gateway Church where they reach to the unique “No Perfect People Allowed: Come As You Are But Don't Stay That Way” culture in Austin. Her role as the Guest Services Manager is imperative in overseeing and creating a synergetic environment for anyone who steps on the campus of the church as well as shepherding the 250+ volunteers that are a part of this ministry.
Holly has traveled overseas with Pure Joy and whole heartedly believes in its mission. She came home from her first Pure Joy retreat in Senegal, Africa in 2002 with a newly committed heart to pray for and encourage missionary women serving on the field. She has traveled outside the US on many other overseas trips and each trip is always unique. Her heart desires to be missional while ready and willing for the next adventure God sets before her.
Ruth McWhite lives in Travelers Rest, SC, but she has a heart for the world. She and her husband, Allen, served two terms with the IMB in Ecuador. Sickness brought them home, but God has continued to allow them to serve Him with a vision for what He is doing worldwide. In between their terms in Ecuador, they pastored three churches in SC. Currently, Allen is the Director of Global Missions at North Greenville University, and Ruth works just down the hall as Director of Women's Ministries. Her primary work is to disciple and mentor female students. She and Allen also take care of the MKs and International students on campus.
She also enjoys the opportunity to speak at retreats and conferences for ladies. Her passion is to see women come to a relationship with Christ and then learn the process of growing in that relationship through His Word. Her favorite job of all is being a mother to four incredible children. Her two sons have just married this year, and they both brought godly girls into the McWhite family. Her daughters are in middle school and high school. So life is still pretty busy in the home!
The verses that best sum up her calling are found in Numbers ll:16-17. In this passage, Moses has been shown how to carry on the work God has given him to do. It is the picture of overflow. God takes from His Spirit that He has already placed within Moses, and He pours that over onto seventy others who will help carry the load. Ruth has learned that God does His best work when she has first sat at His feet, and then she allows what He has taught her to spill over onto the lives of those around her.
Kenny Shipp is the President of Hightower Oil & Petroleum, Inc. Kenny has been very active in his community serving as Chamber of Commerce President and as President of the Conway Co. Economic Development Corporation.
He is excited about where God is leading Pure Joy and is a prayer warrior for the ministry. Kenny's favorite verse is Matthew 6:33-34 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
The Message version phrases the verses this way:
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
We know that there are many around the world that prayerfully support Pure Joy on a regular basis. We desire to provide more in-depth information about the ministry to those committed to the ministry. Please fill out the form with "Friend Registration" in the subject line.
THE SCRIPTURES
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation. (Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Matthew 5:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
GOD
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature essence, or being. (Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11; Psalm 19:1-3; Matthew 28:19; John 5:26;14:6-13)
JESUS CHRIST
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substituitionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. he was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where he is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord. (Matthew 1:18-23; John 1:1-18,29; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. he inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration. At the moment of regeneration He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service. (John 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 12:3-11,13; Ephesians 1:13-14)
SALVATION
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Savior.
Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.
Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person's life.
Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed. (Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18, 29-39; 10:9-10; 13:11-14; Ephesians 2:8-22; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23)
Costa Rica Retreat 2011
Team Members
Vickie Arruda - vickie_purejoyinternational.org
Judy Hammons - jhammons02_hotmail.com
Russell Hartsfield - russellhartsfield_gmail.com
Susan Hartsfield - rshartsfield_sbcglobal.net
Denise Howerton - dhower_quiktrip.com
Heather Ingle - heatheringle_gmail.com
Kathleen Jones - kathleen.jones09_gmail.com
Janice Mobley - jlmobley_mac.com
Debra Presely - presleyda_cox.net
Linda Roack - linda_purejoyinternational.org
Stacey Smith - smsftlot_gmail.com
Shawna Tunnell - rnea1982_yahoo.com
Click here to view photos of the retreat in Costa Rica
Short video documenting Pure Joy's Costa Rica Retreat.
To ensure smooth playback on slower connections you may need to pause the video and allow the video to load - watch for the progress bar to turn white then resume playing.
Venezuela Retreat
To contact churches involved with this trip use the following information.
Central Baptist Church
3707 Harrisburg Rd
Jonesboro, AR 72404
wendystotts_gmail.com
(Team members from this church: Wendy Stotts, Paula Brown, Pam Niell, Candy Seyler)
Walnut Street Baptist Church
1910 Scenic Road
Jonesboro, AR 72401
rlshepard1_netzero.net
(Team members from this church: Renee Shepard, Rhonda Parker, Michelle Reid)
First Baptist Church - Morrilton
200 East Church St
Morrilton, AR 72110
pattys_hightoweroil.com
(Team members from this church: Vickie Arruda, Penny Morrow, Patty Shipp)
Shiloh Bible Church
PO Box 142
Elko, NV 89803
megan.brown.85_gmail.com
(Team members from this church: Megan Brown and Jolene Ward)
East Side Baptist Church
2710 Massard Road
Ft. Smith, AR 72903
kathy_momsdayofprayer.com
(Team Member from this church: Kathy Coleman)
Poland Retreat
(Team members from this church: Sharon Jones and Tiffany Stallings)
Evergreen Baptist Church
10301 E 111th St. South
Bixby, OK 74008
elartique_evergreenbc.org
(Team Members from this church: Becky Owens, Kristy Pinion and Linda Roach)
(Team members from this church: Vickie Arruda, Nicki Bartlett, Patty Shipp)
mary_eastsidebc.org
(Team Member from this church: Kim Norman and Jerre Moore)
Macedonia Baptist Church
4656 Page Road
Longview, TX 75605
johnw_macbc.org
(Team Members from this chruch: Pat Brownlee and Janet White)
Kathy Coleman
Kathy has traveled with us to Costa Rica and Venezuela. She has a wonderful ministry called Worldwide Mom's Day of Prayer. Click Here to get more information.
Kristy Pinion
Kristy traveled with us to Costa Rica and Poland. She is a champion for home schooling and has compiled a list of online resources.
Iva May
Iva traveled with us to Poland. To get more information about her books and blog Click Here.
My name is Kristy Pinion. I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and have been homeschooling my three sons for 15 years. I know that seems like forever! I am a veteran, but not an expert. I felt God calling me to do this when my oldest son, Luke, was 4 or 5, but I was working full-time in a public school as a speech therapist. When Luke was 6, my husband agreed that we should teach Luke at home and I would also work part time. I did this for a little over 4 years. In 1998, we moved to Tulsa, and I was able to retire from my job in the public school, and devote myself to homeschooling full time.
Luke is now 21 and a senior at Union University in Jackson, TN. He is majoring in Digital Media Studies with an emphasis in computer science. Our middle son, Caleb, has just graduated and is attending Tulsa Community College. His major is Interpreter Education (American Sign Language). My last son to be learning at home is Aaron who is 14. He is now in the 9th grade and I only have 4 years left of homeschooling. This is a bittersweet revelation. What a rollercoaster ride this has been for our family! God has taken us on this wonderful adventure of homeschooling for these past 15 years. Weve tried many different curriculums; some have worked well for our boys, and some were not the right fit for them. God has been faithful and we are truly blessed with three godly young men.
Listed below are a few resources that might be beneficial. Feel free to contact me with your comments, questions, or prayer requests:
10620 E. 99th Pl.
Tulsa, OK 74133
singinghispraises_cox.net
Curriculum Websites
Abeka Bookwww.abeka.com
Alpha Omega/Switched on Schoolhouse/The Weaver Unit Studieswww.aop.com
Apologia Sciencewww.highschoolscience.com
A Reason for Handwriting, Reading, Science, & Spellingwww.areasonfor.com
Beautiful Feet: History through Literaturewww.bfbooks.com
Bob Jones University Presswww.bjup.com
Christian Book Distributors (an excellent company that carries many homeschool curriculums and support materials at great prices)www.christianbook.com
Christian Liberty Academy Satellite Schoolwww.homeschools.org
www.homeschooldiscount.comcarries many curriculums and resources
KONOS (hands on character building unit studies)www.konos.com
NorthStar Academy Online Christian School and Homeschoolingwww.northstaracademy.org
Saxon Math and Readingwww.saxonpublishing.com
Sonlight www.sonlight.com
Teaching Textbooks (computerized math programs)www.teachingtextbooks.com
Other Websites
www.act.org&www.collegeboard.comACT & SAT info.
www.basicskills.netservice that keeps track of highs school grades and credits
www.contechsolutions.net/products/eths_pc/- (Edu-Track) computer program for record keeping, lesson plans, transcripts
www.donnayoung.orgFree printable lesson plans, tips, etc.
www.eho.orgorwww.eclectichomeschool.orgReviews, ideas, etc.
www.homeschoolingabroad.comwebsite from a homeschooling mom who has a heart for missionaries
www.homeschooloasis.comBarb Sheltons website about homeschooling your high school students
www.hsrc.comDebra Bells Homeschool Resource Center
www.thehomeschoolmom.comLots of freebies, menus, planners, etc.
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Team Contact Info.pdf
Team Medical Info.pdf
Team Consent-liability form.pdf
Team Forms and
other documentation
Instructions for Completing and Submitting Team Forms
Click to open the first form. The forms are created to open in Adobe Reader. Most computers already have this program installed but there is a possibility that you will need to download or update the program. Adobe Reader is safe and you should keep it updated as many organizations utilize it to send information. After the form is open in Adobe Reader fill it out completely. When the form is complete save it by clicking File, Save As and then replace the word Team with your name (leave the rest of the file name as is) in the File Name dialog box. Save the file, please note the location that it is saved in, you may want to save it to your desktop to make it easier to find. Complete the other forms in the same manner. After completing all forms please email the forms to patty_purejoyinternational.org as attachments (you should be able to attach all three forms to one email.) Alternatively you can print the forms and fax them to 501-354-2541.
Jerre lives in Ft. Smith, AR and has been married to Doug for 47 years. They have 3 children and 7 grandchildren, each of whom is a great source of joy in their lives.
They attend East Side Baptist Church and teach an adult Bible study class together. She has served in women’s ministry for many years and the passion of her heart and life is prayer and Bible study as she disciples women in His Word.
She will quickly tell you, after her first trip with Pure Joy to Costa Rica and then later to Krakow, Poland her life has not been the same. God has so expanded her heart for missions and missionaries through each trip with Pure Joy that she eagerly awaits the next opportunity to go anywhere He might open doors around the world.
Jennifer Halbrook is married to Shawn Halbrook and the mother of Cade, Ashlyn, Addison and Hannah. They currently live in Harrison, AR where Jennifer enjoys being a homemaker while working from home part-time as a bookkeeper. She has previously worked in different settings as an Information Systems analyst, as a church Financial Administrator, and as Director of Finance. She loves to teach young children and teen girls in Sunday school. Jennifer's guiding verse is Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
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Jeff Sjurseth
Jeff Sjurseth lives in Houston, TX with his wife Leslie. God blessed them with three wonderful children that are now grown and starting their own independent lives.
Jeff is the Contracts Manager for Murphy Exploration & Production Company and has spent his career living or travelling the Middle East, West Africa, Australasia region and the lower 48/Gulf of Mexico in support of international oil and gas exploration and development operations.
Jeff attends St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, where he has served as President of the Congregation, Elder, Committee Lead for Strategic Planning, Youth Council Advisor, and Teacher (Adult and High School). His favorite Bible verse, Exodus 33:11, exemplifies God’s very presence and desired relationship for us all, “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.”
Leslie Sjurseth
Is the wife of Jeff Sjurseth and has 5 grown kids (3 by birth and 2 by marriage-her kids marriages that is!). She has two Passions. One is working with children whether they are in her churches preschool or in the orphanages of Cairo, Egypt. The other is helping women become all God wants them to be-again whether she is in Houston working with a client or abroad working with women from 3rd world Countries.
Leslie has her own company, Global Links International Relocations, where she works in Destination Services, moving clients for corporations to and from Houston, Texas from International locations. She has also had the privilege of being the trailing spouse and having amazing experiences of living overseas for 13 of her 29 years of marriage with Jeff.
