“Some people think, “How can we manufacture joy? These words from the famous song “Fabricants de Joie” ("Joy makers"), to which we danced back in 1987, begin the answer to that question.
Contrary to what some people who phone the FJ office think, we are not manufacturers of “Joie” brand strollers. Nor are we (or are we only) “children who dance in the street”. So who are we really?
FJ is YWAM's “children, youth and families sector”. They can take on a wide variety of expressions, from evangelism (Quartier Libre, musicals...), mission mobilization (summer tours, Services Pâques...), formation (PCYFM schools, seminars, preteens program, Families of faith...), to compassion (service and mutual aid teams).
And the examples given are not exhaustive; there are many more... So what do all these activities have in common? It's our values, of which there are 8, but I'll mention 3 that are at the heart of our DNA.
FJs are called to create joy, of course, but not primarily for the people we meet. Our ultimate calling is to gladden God's heart. That is, to enter into a relationship with our heavenly Father, to get to know him and listen to his voice, and to enter lovingly into the projects he shows us.
If we can listen to the voice of God even with the youngest, it's because we believe in the spiritual capacity of children and teenagers, who are the Church of today.
Finally, a particularity of FJ is that we mix ages in our activities because we believe in the richness of the link between generations. When young and old, genZers and boomers join forces and experience to bring about the kingdom of God, there's only one thing left to say: “Oh what joy!”
To discover the 8 FJ values: www.fabricantsdejoie.ch and click on “Resources”.
The delightfully vintage song “Fabricants de Joie” is available on online listening platforms.
Marjorie Waefler
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