Have you ever spent much time thinking about joy? What is joy? Why is joy so good? How do I cultivate joy? I have spent much time in the past year and a half researching and pondering on joy.

I love this definition of joy. “Joy is the twinkle in someone’s eyes, the smile from deep inside, the gladness that makes lovers run toward each other, the smile of a baby, the feeling of sheer delight that grows stronger as people who love each other lock eyes, what God feels when He makes His face shine over us, and the leap in our hearts when we hear the voice of someone we have been missing for a long time.” (R.A.R.E Leadership by Dr. Jim Wilder and Marcus Warner)

Joy is the life-giving feeling of mutual care. Did you know that repeated exposure to gratitude actually builds joy in your life? I have been fascinated by the work of neurotheologian Dr. James Wilder and the work of Life Model Works.

According the latest neurosciece, joy is the ‘jet fuel’ that our brains are designed to run on. When we live from a base emotional state of joy we can endure hardship well; just like Jesus. “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame…” Hebrews 12:2

It’s incredible to see that the newest brain science is confirming everything God has taught us, through the scriptures, in how he designed us. May you experience the fulness of joy in your life as you cultivate a life filled with gratitude. Thank you Jesus!

Last month, I had the opportunity to teach in the School of Worship and lead worship at the corporate gatherings of YWAM Paris Connect. It was a rich time of fellowship and growth between staff and the students. Interestingly enough, the past couple of times I’ve traveled to Paris, I have ‘lost’ my voice. Now, I didn’t really lose it, it just stopped working.

This year, I viewed it from a spiritual warfare perspective. As I bound the attack of the enemy, in Jesus name, I noticed that the decline in my voice stopped and it began to get better. With this revelation came the question, “Has Satan been trying to silence the voices of Jesus followers here in France?”

After leading worship for an Intercessory prayer set, I looked at the leaders of the worship community and asked, “how come you guys haven’t released a french album?” Their response: “It’s so hard to release songs in France for some reason.” I asked a follow up question, “Have you felt like Satan is trying to silence your voice?” Their response: “We feel this way across France.”

God gripped my heart, in that moment, to help them release new french songs and be a resource of worship, and scripture songs, for the French speaking world. Interestingly enough, YWAM has history in helping resource the French Church with new worship songs in the earlier years of YWAM.

I sent a proposal for the YWAM base to review along with a projected timeline from initial prayer, songwriting retreat, live recording, to album release in August or September of 2027. Please pray for God’s will to be done in all of this.

On a fun note, I had the blessing of bringing my daughter Rhema with me on this missionary journey. What a wonderful time it was to share ministry and fun experiences together with her. I learned that she is definitely a foodie and one of my favorite moments was renting bikes and riding all around the beautiful city of Paris on my down times.

One last update, on the last day of my teaching, I was tagged in a Instagram Reel by a friend of mine who is a Pastor of a church in Lyon, France. He is also a worship artist and had released a new album with his church. I thought he was asking for help to spread the word because of the YWAM network. After a while, I realized, I recognize this melody!

A little over a year ago, we were at a songwriting retreat in Nashville and were put into songwriting groups a couple times over the retreat. The song was from one of our songwrites and he had completely translated it to French! He tagged me in the Instagram Reel because it was a release day for me too! God is so good!

I’m believing that this a first fruit for the new songs that will be released in the French speaking world and through YPC (YWAM Paris Connect).

Our hearts are filled with immense gratitude for each one of you. Thank you for faithfully standing with us as a team in our missions work around the world. The Kingdom of God is advancing mightily and we get to play a small part in it; together.

Thank you for your prayers and for your financial partnership. None of this is possible without all of us, the whole body of Christ, working together unto the purposes of God in this world.

We are grateful for each and every one of you. Please let us know if you have any prayer request that we can be partnering with you in. It is our privilege to intercede on your behalf.

If there’s any opportunities to minister together, in the things you’re doing, please don’t hesitate to reach out as well. We would love to partner with you and serve you in this way.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and may the Lord give you peace. Amen.  🙏