Walking Together
A Guide Through Our Church Transition
Pastor Jake Schmelzer, Senior Pastor of Joy Church
Common Questions
Questions, Answers, and What to Expect
This guide has been created to help our church family walk through this season of transition with clarity, peace, and unity.
As Mannahouse Eugene fully joins Joy Church and Joy Church moves into a new facility, we recognize that change naturally brings questions, emotions, and uncertainty. Inside this guide you’ll find clear answers to common questions, an explanation of how decisions were made, and what you can expect in the months ahead.
Our heart is to walk through this time together with honesty and care, shepherd faithfully, and create space for prayerful discernment as we follow God’s leading as one church family.
What is happening?
The Mannahouse Eugene campus is fully joining Joy Church Eugene and coming under Joy Church’s existing vision, leadership, and ministry model. This decision was made prayerfully by the eldership of both churches.
God is leading us into a powerful new season as one Joy Church family with a shared mission to love God, love people, and make disciples.
Joy Church will move from its current facility (Gateway Loop) to the current Mannahouse Eugene campus on Game Farm Road on February 15, 2026. From that date forward, this location will become Joy Church Eugene.
When is this happening?
Joy Church will officially begin gathering at the Game Farm Road location on February 15, 2026. Please refer to the transition timeline for additional dates, gatherings, and important details.
What times and where will Sunday services be?
We’re excited to gather as one church family at 89780 N Game Farm Rd, Eugene.
New service times are: 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Why does this make sense for Joy Church
Joy Church has outgrown its current facility. As our leaders have been praying for God’s direction, He has faithfully been preparing the way.
At the same time, God was speaking clearly to Pastors Derrill & Michal Corbin, Pastors Bryan & Amy Wheelon, and the Mannahouse eldership about the future of their Eugene campus and highlighting Joy Church as the church to receive both the building and the congregation.
This transition creates new capacity for Joy Church to reach more people and make more disciples than ever before. Beyond any strategy or planning, this is truly a God story.
Why does this make sense for Mannahouse?
For the past seven years, Mannahouse has faithfully overseen the Eugene campus. During that time, Pastors Bryan and Amy and their team have led the congregation into greater health, unity, and growth.
Through prayerful discernment, Pastors Derrill & Michal Corbin and the Mannahouse eldership believe the Lord is leading them to invest this facility and entrust the congregation to the stewardship of Joy Church.
Because Mannahouse and Joy Church share common theology, culture, mission, and values, the Mannahouse elders believe Joy Church is the right church to steward these resources and continue advancing God’s Kingdom in the Eugene/Springfield area.
This transition allows the Mannahouse Eugene congregation to remain in their current facility while joining a healthy, growing, locally governed church with a strong Eugene-centered vision.
Who are the leaders who made this decision?
Pastors Derrill and Michal Corbin – Senior Pastors, Mannahouse
Pastors Jake and Bethany Schmelzer – Senior Pastors, Joy Church
Bryan and Amy Wheelon – Campus Pastors, Mannahouse Eugene
Mannahouse Eldership
Joy Church Eldership
Who will be leading the church?
The Mannahouse Eugene campus is fully joining Joy Church Eugene and coming under Joy Church’s existing vision, leadership, and ministry model.
Pastors Jake and Bethany Schmelzer serve as the Senior Pastors of Joy Church. Pastors Bryan and Amy, who have served as the Campus Pastors of Mannahouse Eugene, are joining the Joy Church staff and eldership and will continue to lead and shepherd God’s people as part of the Joy Church team.
Joy Church will operate autonomously under its own local eldership and governance. Pastors Derrill & Michal have a long-standing relationship with Pastors Jake & Bethany and will continue to offer apostolic input as desired.
How was this decision made?
As Pastor Derrill Corbin sought the Lord regarding the future of the Eugene campus, God placed Joy Church on his heart. This sense was prayerfully processed with Pastors Bryan and Amy and the Mannahouse eldership. Later, the Joy Church eldership was brought into the conversation.
This was not a plan initiated by Joy Church, but a God-led process that began with Mannahouse. Only after both eldership teams felt aligned and at peace did the planning move forward.
A note from Pastor Derrill:
“Over this past year, we’ve been in a meaningful season of prayer, discernment, and counsel regarding the future of the Mannahouse Eugene campus. Over this time, the Elders have been seeking the Lord together to determine the best course forward—not simply for a campus, but for the greatest Kingdom impact in Lane County. We’ve been asking the question, “What shape should the church take in Eugene?” Our shared conviction has been that the Eugene campus should take on a new form beginning in 2026—one that more fully aligns with our local church ecclesiology rooted in the New Testament pattern of local elders shepherding local congregations. The elders of Mannahouse have prayerfully discerned that the most faithful future for the people of Eugene is to be part of an autonomous, locally governed church led by a local eldership team. This aligns with the New Testament pattern of planting and releasing churches.
This conviction has grown steadily clearer as we have prayed, listened, and assessed the long-term realities of the Eugene Campus. Therefore, Mannahouse will no longer maintain an active campus expression in Eugene after the transition date.
Mannahouse stepped in in Jan 2019 and took over the leadership of Eugene Christian Fellowship when it needed apostolic oversight, stability, and renewed health in order to survive and regain strength. Over the past seven years, that work has been done faithfully. The congregation is unified and healthy.
Through prayerful relationship, careful due diligence, and significant time spent together, we believe the Lord is now pointing toward a next chapter that brings people, leaders, vision, and assets together under Joy Church Eugene—led by Pastors Jake and Bethany Schmelzer and the Joy Church Eldership—for the sake of God’s purposes in Lane County and beyond.
Pastor Derrill and Michal love this church deeply and have walked slowly, prayerfully, and sacrificially to ensure that this moment is about stewardship, not ownership; obedience, not preservation; and future fruit, not institutional continuity.”
What if I’m struggling with this decision or don’t agree?
To begin with, it’s okay to feel that way.
This is a major transition, and leaders understand that not everyone will immediately feel peace. You will have opportunities to ask questions, share concerns, and process honestly. You will be heard.
So where do we go from here?
First, we’re asking for trust.
This decision was not made lightly or impulsively. It was prayerfully discerned by healthy, elder-led churches that take seriously the responsibility to shepherd God’s people.
Second, we’re asking for time.
For those coming from Mannahouse Eugene, we ask that you journey with Joy Church for at least six months as you prayerfully discern whether this is where God is calling you to be planted.
Third, we’re asking for grace.
Before we are members of any local church, we are members of the body of Christ. While disagreement is okay, processing in unhealthy or unbiblical ways is not. We ask that concerns be directed upward to pastors and leaders rather than outward through gossip or venting.
What if I have questions and need to process?
We’re grateful that you want to engage. A dedicated transition team is available to listen, pray, and walk with you through this season.
If you’d like to talk with someone, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page and we'll connect with you promptly.
What will happen with Joy Church’s current facility?
The Joy Church elders are prayerfully discerning the future of our current Gateway Loop facility. There is no urgency or pressure.
The latest news is that a wonderful local church we have been in relationship with since we both started about 10 years ago, is going to be renting this facility. Grace City is excited to occupy this space and make the most of this Kingdom resource!
We will continue to retain access to the facility, including the playground!
What will happen at the Game Farm Road facility?
We are committed to stewarding this property with excellence. In the near term, we plan to invest in maintenance and infrastructure such as paint, flooring, HVAC, and grounds.
We also anticipate upgrades that will increase the beauty and functionality of the space, including auditorium flooring, A/V improvements, kids ministry environments, and signage.
In the future, as God provides, we believe there is opportunity to expand the facility to better serve our growing church family.
How do I become a member of Joy Church?
Membership happens through NEXT Track, an eight-week discipleship journey. To serve current Mannahouse Eugene members, we will also host a special one-day NEXT Track option in March.
What about Pastors Bryan and Amy and the MH Eugene staff?
Pastors Bryan and Amy are joining the Joy Church staff and are genuinely excited about what God is doing in this next season. The current Mannahouse Eugene staff will also be thoughtfully integrated into the Joy Church team.
While some roles may evolve over time, this process is being approached with unity, humility, love, and care for people.
What expectations do you have for me as a church member?
We are asking members of both congregations to enter this season with unity, humility, faith, and love.
Jesus said the world would know we are His disciples by our love for one another. This is an opportunity to model that kind of Kingdom love and unity during a miracle moment for our church family.
Things may feel different, surprising, or even uncomfortable at times, but underneath it all we believe this is a God-breathed moment. God is doing something significant in our church and in our community, and we get to be part of it!
For Mannahouse Eugene members: journey with Joy Church for six months, continuing to serve, give, and pray as you discern God’s leading.
For Joy Church members: continue serving, giving, and welcoming new family members with grace.
For everyone: please be patient and gracious as we walk through this transition together.
What if I decide Joy Church isn’t where God is planting me?
There is no pressure or guilt. If after prayer and discernment you sense God leading you elsewhere, we want to bless you and help you transition well into another healthy, Bible-believing church.
Scripture calls church leaders to watch over and care for the souls entrusted to them, and we take that responsibility seriously. We don’t want anyone to slip through the cracks or quietly drift away from fellowship and community.
We do ask that you let us know before you go, so we can care for you, pray with you, and send you with our full support as you step into whatever God has next for you.
Upcoming Events
Meet & Greet + tour
February 3rd from 6-8pm
Join us for a Meet & Greet at Game Farm Road! This will be a meaningful evening to worship, meet new friends, enjoy refreshments, and experience the building before our first Sunday together. All are welcome to attend. No childcare will be provided.
89780 N Game Farm Rd, Eugene
First Service Together
February 15th at 9am & 11am
This is a historical Sunday as Mannahouse and Joy Church come together as one church. We will worship, pray, and get filled with the word and vision for the future. Of course, there will be wonderful kids classes and delicious coffee and donuts for all!
89780 N Game Farm Rd, Eugene
Dream Team Conference
February 27th & 28th
All who serve on the Dream Team are invited to our first combined Dream Team Conference. Kids also have a lot of fun in store, so register them by the kids registration deadline on Sunday, February 22nd.
89780 N Game Farm Rd, Eugene
Our shared history
Looking back as we look forward
Joy Church and Mannahouse share a long and deeply connected history. In 1951, Brother Dick Iverson planted what would become Mannahouse and later founded Portland Bible College, shaping numerous leaders over the years including Steve Schmelzer (Pastor Jake’s Dad), Derrill Corbin, Frank Damazio, and Mark Harpham.
In 1981, Pastor Frank and Sharon Damazio, and their team including Mark and Lori Harpham, planted Eugene Christian Fellowship (ECF) with 18 people in a living room, eventually purchasing the Game Farm Road property in 1984. In 1982, Steve and Kim Schmelzer planted Joy Christian Fellowship in Medford, where Jake and Bethany Schmelzer served before moving to Eugene and ministering at ECF with Pastors Gary and Paula Clark.
In 2016, Jake and Bethany planted Joy Church Eugene, beginning once again in a living room. God faithfully grew the church through multiple locations, into the former Skateworld building in 2019, and through the pandemic. By Easter 2025, attendance surpassed 2,000, and Joy Church began seeking God for a miracle as capacity was reached.
At the same time, Pastor Derrill Corbin and the Mannahouse eldership were prayerfully discerning the future of the Mannahouse Eugene campus. Out of these parallel seasons of prayer and counsel, a shared decision was made for Mannahouse Eugene to fully come under the leadership, vision, and governance of Joy Church Eugene at the Game Farm Road location.
Joy Church, led by Pastors Jake and Bethany Schmelzer and the Joy Church eldership, will provide spiritual oversight and direction as a locally led, autonomous church. Mannahouse leadership believes Joy Church is prepared, called, and resourced to carry this responsibility forward.
This transition is not a loss of legacy, but a strengthening of it. We are deeply thankful for the shared history that has led us here and filled with faith for what God will do next as we reach our city—and the world—with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A message from Pastor Derrill Corbin, Senior Pastor at Mannahouse
Get Connected
Church Center App
Church Center is our primary communication and connection tool at Joy Church.
It’s where you’ll find upcoming events registration, get connected with Joy Groups, manage giving and serving on the Dream Team, listen to sermons, and more—all in one place.
Download the Church Center app and select Joy Church to begin getting connected.
The Info Page
If it’s happening at Joy Church, you’ll find it here.
Updated weekly, this page features upcoming events and current information. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to explore some of the Joy Church ministries.
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