About Us
Contagious Joy Mission/Vision Statement
Mission
To inspire and equip young people to bring the hope and joy of Jesus into care facilities.
Vision
To raise up leaders for God in our families, churches, communities, and nations by inspiring them to share the Good News of Jesus with residents in Care Facilities.
History of Contagious Joy
It was the summer of 1995 that I decided this summer I was going to try something a little different with my children. As I thought of those in Care Facilities, I thought this is what Jesus was speaking of when He said, “So now I am giving you a new commandment; Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35
My husband was a tremendous support and we decided to put on a play for our local Care Facility. We asked neighborhood friends and family to join us. God blessed it! Each year we were met with many requests from the Care Facilities and children to “do it again!” This became a tradition in the summer for our family This became a tradition in the summer, and it was one of the best decisions I have made.
After the plays, our children soon went off to college, and I thought that chapter was over. However, I thought often about the joy we experienced. The seeds of joy had been deeply planted in my heart and left me hungering for more. In 2007, we decided to do the plays again and went to several Care Facilities. It happened just as it did before; the joy was amazing and contagious! The same kids who did the play that year wanted to do it again. In addition, we received many requests from the Care Facilities to come back. It was clear God was moving. Something special between the young and older generations was happening. This experience has helped my faith grow, and I have witnessed the faith in younger ones soar to heights that amazed me.
I have seen downtrodden hearts lifted, smiles brighten their days, and voices lifted up in singing. Only God.
The decision to follow God and show up has turned out to be one of the best decisions ever. Spreading Contagious Joy has been life-changing for our family and me, and also for so many churches, families, and children who have taken part in the Contagious Joy program.
Many Blessings,
Jeff and Leica Nissen, Founders of Contagious Joy
Lessons Learned – How to Serve the Lord
Lesson #1: Give the Glory to God
How to Serve the Lord:
There was no mistake that God put it upon my heart to go into care facilities, and inspired the writing of the play “The Legend of the Flower” in 1995. However, the first summer we did the play I was asked by an employee of the Care Facilities if we were related to a church or a faith, and I answered, “No.” I was embarrassed to admit God was behind it all and blew the opportunity to give the glory to God!
I felt convicted afterward and asked God for forgiveness and another chance. God did give me another chance and inspired the writing of the play Esther. This play was taken from the story of Esther in the Bible.
It was re-written, however, with a 50s theme, including songs that the residents would remember and enjoy. The moral of the story is “All things work out for the good of those who trust, believe and obey God.” In the summer of 1997, Esther was performed in Care Facilities throughout our community and was a blessing to many, especially me.
“So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord…”
2 Timothy 1:8
“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 10:32-33
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Lesson #2:Money Isn’t the Most Important Thing.
To help financially support the college years, my focus switched to working outside the home. After a couple of years, I experienced some success. I was fully engaged in a career when 9/11 hit. This tragedy helped me see that the success and amount of time I was spending in my career was not as fulfilling or as profitable spiritually as what I have done with Contagious Joy.
I was learning the lesson I was trying to teach my children years earlier through the play The Legend of the Lamp that making money makes very little difference compared to giving of ourselves to others.
How to Serve the Lord:
“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.”
1 Timothy 6:10-12
“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and be generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Lesson #3: Never Hesitate to Pray.
While in the lobby of a Care Facility waiting for the director, I noticed the time was 4:44. Anytime I see three numbers the same, I recognize God’s love for me. I glanced across the waiting area where there was an employee (Gloria) sitting and just simply said to her, “It is 4:44 p.m. God loves you!” She began to cry and said, “I needed to hear that.”
I inquired and she explained about the difficult time in her life. I asked her if she would like to pray. She willingly said, “Yes.” We bowed our heads right there and prayed. I did not anticipate what God was going to do but recognized I was being sent, with a complete desire to be sent wherever He wanted to send me.
How to Serve the Lord:
I have learned to start with prayer before we go to a care facility and end with prayer before we leave.
Prayer aligns our hearts with God. Prayer changes us, guides us, and draws us. I have found that when I prayerfully approach those with whom I have eye connection with, and listen to the Holy Spirit, God meets me where I am. He gives wisdom, tenderness, and the right words to say at the right time.
Residents may want to talk about the losses in their lives or the worries they are carrying around. Asking some if they would like to pray is an offer that these residents most likely do not hear.
God is with us when we go in with a heart to serve Him and bring Him glory. We show up—He takes over and helps us catch the vision. He may even develop a passion in us to lead others to minister at a Care Facility also.
I am also learning to be mindful and stay in sync with the Holy Spirit. Some may not be ready for the joy of Jesus that I am bringing; however, being kind, and just saying “God loves you” is a seed planted. I am sometimes surprised to whom God leads me to. When going to a Care Facility I never know who is listening, watching, or waiting to hear what Jesus wants me to share.
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike…So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.” Ephesians 6: 18-20
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 15:16-18
Lesson #4: Love Through Life’s Trials.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4
How can I consider it pure joy when I experience trials? When I decide to love even through pain and trial, joy comes to replace the pain! It comes when I take what God has given to me (love) and give it to someone else.
Joy happens when I give to Jesus whatever I am trying to hold onto or get through when I go “all in” for Him. I have seen God lighten my load by doing something for someone else. Our great God works, shows up, and awakens His Spirit, which sometimes lies dormant in me.
How to Serve the Lord:
“Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b
We have the privilege of coming into a Care Facility in the name of Jesus to remind the residents that they will get through too. His name holds the power, and the enemy cannot stay where Jesus is.
Jesus works through willing hearts. There is a dynamic and joy that takes place through the Holy Spirit when we are loving, connecting, touching someone’s hand, interacting, and listening.
Lesson #5: God Fights Our Battles.
Do you feel you are in a battle? I do. There are battles in our families, marriages, children, grandchildren, churches, neighbors, friends, employers, employees, schools, communities, health, finances, fearing the enemy, fearing the future, etc….
How to Serve the Lord:
I have learned and continue to learn to fight my battles on my knees. Fight my battles on kness and sing! Watch the LORD fight your battles!
In 2 Chronicles, when a large army is rising against Israel, King Jehoshaphat cries out to the Lord in terror.
…You alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! … O our God, won’t you stop them?
We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help… This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!
…The King appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!” At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies…to start fighting among themselves. 2 Chronicles 20:6,12,15-16,21-22 The Battle Was Won By Singing!
Bible Verses That Have Encouraged Me:
1. Trust and Ask the Lord:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” Proverbs 3:5-10
2.Recieve the Lord’s Correction Humbly:
“My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11-12
3.Ask for Wisdom, and Know God Will Give it to You:
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5
“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. “Proverbs 3:13-18
4.Do Not BE Afraid- The Batlle Belongs to the Lord:
“You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the LORD is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.” Proverbs 3:24-26
5.Help Your Neighbour:
“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, ‘Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” Proverbs 3:27-28
Press Testimonies
Contagious Joy is all about doing something so special to help someone, while making them smile. It is something so simple, but it can change the world. Watching God connect these two generations with warmth and laughter while accomplishing His purposes was truly a joy! Our schedules were busy, full, and sometimes chaotic, but it was a wonderful and joyful time. I am awed by God that He entrusted these young hearts into our care for a season of serving, giving, and sharing.
— B.C. Blemaster, Contagious Joy Board Member
As a youth group leader, our team focused on three things: instruction in the Word of God, outreach or service opportunities, and recreation or fellowship. Using Contagious Joy material allowed our young people to use the creative arts to share the gospel (outreach) while enjoying fellowship with one another (recreation). It was fun for a purpose! The kids were able to exercise their gifts of drama, set design, etc., in a very warm and welcome atmosphere of the senior homes. Seniors loved being there, and they loved the seniors. God be glorified!”
— Diana Santos, Youth Leader, Palisades Community Bible Church
“As a Bible Study leader of a group home situation, Contagious Joy allowed young people to experience the arts in a way that they probably would NOT have otherwise. These kids struggle to get through a day sometimes with never a chance to be a lead role, or support character, or soloist in a play or drama. One young man had a very hard time reading, yet after two weeks of practice had all of his lines memorized because a staff person took time to read the script to him. The lines of the play parallel a Bible story that we pray are now embedded in his mind as a seed for God to grow. What a blessing!
— Brenda Hendricks, Youth Leader
Contagious Joy has shown me what it truly means to serve others. For a period of my life, I felt extremely lost. I was angry with myself; I was angry with my family; I was angry with my life. I felt as if I were unraveling. Contagious Joy changed my whole outlook. Where there was anger, there was now hope. Where there was anxiety, there was now friendship. When I signed up for Contagious Joy, I thought I would be bringing joy to others and part of that is true, but it also brought joy to myself. It forced me to grow, to learn, and to become more confident. I recommend Contagious Joy to anyone because, through it, I have become the person I have always wanted to be.
April Lugo, Angel Tree Child, Cast Member 2007-2012
Contagious Joy was something that came around to me out of nowhere. I was someone at the time who needed something spontaneous and unplanned to help steer me off of the course I was on. I was friends with the wrong crowd, I was coming from a broken family, dealing with depression and unattainable pressures from family. Faith wasn’t an aspect of my everyday life. Faith was a stranger, not something I was well acquainted with or familiar with. God has a funny way of giving you something you absolutely need when you don’t know you need it and when you were absolutely not expecting it. Contagious Joy gave me an opportunity to express myself creatively, foster friendships with people that were from my church that would be good influences for me.
It gave me a safe place to have fun that also exposed me to a different aspect of life in nursing homes that I had never been exposed to before. For the first time I realized that there were needs that extended beyond myself and other people who could benefit from the fun free entertainment that I could offer and connection that I could make with them after and before the plays. If I could bring a smile to someone, let them be heard as they told their life stories, and make them feel seen when we would come around offering flowers, that would be enough for me. Contagious Joy gave me an opportunity to see that there was a much bigger world aside from me and that I could contribute to it all while building positive friendships that were fostered in a positive and safe Christ-honoring place.”
— Taylor Breinich, Cast Member 2008–2012
Participating in Contagious Joy plays has been a special experience for our children and family. It has helped our children develop a greater sense of confidence, pride, and empathy/respect for older individuals, all while giving them an opportunity to spread the Good News and make fun memories with their cousins. If you are looking to fuel your children and family in any of these ways, consider getting involved with Contagious Joy.”
— Rose & Jay Van Lieu
Looking back on some of the decisions I have made in the past, I have come to the realization that the tougher the decision was to make, the more I benefited from it. I was in my sophomore year of high school—as school let out, I was very excited for a summer filled with friends, fun, and very little responsibility. At the peak of my excitement, my mother approached me with the idea of performing a play for elderly people who live in care facilities. As soon as I stopped laughing, I replied, “Sorry Mom, I have plans.” I quickly fell back into my summer fantasy world.
A few weeks passed and my summer was not what I anticipated. Then I decided to confront my mom and let her know I changed my mind. I needed to do something constructive, so that’s when I was determined to take part in the play she had asked me about earlier. She already had gathered a few neighborhood children, my sister, and a couple of friends together. They were all excited to do this play, with or without me.
In the beginning, I had no idea that the adventure I was beginning to embark on was going to have such a tremendous impact on my life.
I expected the residents to receive at least a little joy out of the play, but what I did not expect was what I got in return. I left each performance with such a warm feeling inside and I couldn’t wait to go to the next care facility and do it all over again. I was surprised at what little effort it took to put a smile on someone’s face and change their whole day. I am extremely pleased with my decision to donate a small amount of my time for others’ well-being, and whether I should make this exchange again will be the easiest decision I will ever make.
— Chris Nissen
As a child, my mom always wanted us to be busy and use our time in a productive manner serving others. Her passion was bringing happiness to the elderly, so she decided to put on some plays for local nursing homes. During the times of practices and performances, we had a lot of laughs and made new friendships. More importantly, seeing the joy on the residents’ faces was something I’ll never forget.
Now my own children are involved in putting on plays, and it has been such a blessing to watch them give of themselves to make others happy. It has truly taught them the meaning of selflessness and has also given them more confidence in the process. I am so thankful for these experiences—for myself as a child and for my own children!” — Michelle Merrill
At first, I thought that putting on plays for nursing homes would be boring. It wasn’t until after the first play that I realized how it made me feel when I saw the smiles on the seniors’ faces. When I looked out at them, I could see them clapping and smiling, and it made me smile. It made me realize how good it feels to give to others. I didn’t feel a lot of pressure to be perfect. I realized that no matter what, they will listen to you without a care if you aren’t perfect.”
— Ethan Merrill
I took part in a Contagious Joy play when I was four years old. That was 15 years ago! I still remember my experience to this day. I felt a sense of community and hope and had a lot of fun in the process. I am thankful for this experience and hope others will feel the same joy that I did when they participate.”
— Brynn Keyser, Neighbor