JTTW began with an idea of a dear
friend, Ralph Dewey of Deer Park, known
the world over for his balloon
sculpturing. I’m sure he has written
close to a zillion books from beginner
ballooning to advanced ballooning. In
1993, Ralph asked if Sagemont’s Jesters
for Jesus would be interested in holding
a clown rally at our church. In 1994 we
held our first rally with very little
advertising. That year we had 91 attend.
Each year thereafter God just kept
doubling our attendance. It wasn’t long
before we were a full fledge convention
and not a rally. At one time we numbered
approximately 600 attending and today
we’ve averaged out to 250-300 attending.
Today JTTW is one of the largest and
oldest gospel clown conventions.
After a few years, Ralph excused himself
from the planning of JTTW. Most
conventions cost hundreds of dollars to
attend. JTTW, from the beginning, has
kept the cost low enough that all could
attend. Today JTTW is planned by a
“core” committee that consists of
Phyllis Sheffield (secures lecturers and
vendors) and Kay Reed (receives
registration and liaison with the
church). One of the great rewards we
have as JTTW is hearing all the
wonderful comments about Sagemont Church
from our attendees. Many have been
coming since the beginning.
While Phyllis and Kay work throughout
the year preparing for the next
convention, JTTW could not function as
smoothly as it does the weekend of the
convention without the clowns of JESTERS
FOR JESUS. These clowns include:
Jimmy and Yvonne Marr
Jimmy and Pat Gifford and
daughter Jennifer
Joe and Marsha Galindo
Jennifer Howard
Ken Kitchen
John Sheffield
Also a big help during the
convention are the Acteens of our
church. They provide snacks, Friday
afternoon dinner and Saturday
lunches. The proceeds help the girls
attend the National Acteen
Conference each year.
The following are some of the
ministries JTTW has supported over
the years either in material needs
or financial needs.
-
We supplied backpacks for
INNOVATIVE MISSIONS to take to
Pakistan
-
Support for Roy Guel’s ministry
to inner city churches. When
needed we have gone to churches
to present the gospel in clown;
we have helped Roy with
equipment needs in the churches
with financial contributions;
each year Roy buses children
from the Hispanic churches to a
special clown performance by
Chagy and Bombin during the
convention. During this
performance the children hear
and see the clowns present the
gospel in a fun way they will
never forget. I’m a firm
believer that children (and
adults) remember what they are
being taught if they are having
fun at the same time. Each year
we have several children as well
as adults accept Christ. A few
years ago we even had a
housekeeping staff person
watching the show and accepted
Christ. How we rejoiced!!
-
Support for fellow Christian
clowns such as Eugenio “Chagy”
Adorno and Rafael “Bombin”
Rondon. These are ordained
pastors who moved to Ft. Worth
from Puerto Rico. They travel
full time around the world as
their clown character presenting
Christ to whomever will listen
and watch.
-
JTTW sent clown supplies with
Bombin to Costa Rica to help a
young man there become a clown.
-
JTTW has financially sent
another clown to the TnT Gospel
Clown Conference in Georgia for
further training.
-
JTTW also offers beginner
training for children 10-15
under our Junior Joey program.
-
Each year JTTW gives a donation
to Sagemont Church for their
Living Proof project.
-
JTTW brings in the top clowns in
the USA as lecturers and/or
performers. JTTW believes
strongly in doing what it can to
teach and train clowns to be the
best they can be for the Lord.
We emphasis giving your very
best by practicing and striving
to continue learning.
