The Life & Legacy of Joslyn Ward
Cory + Joshua + David + Elisha + Naomi
Continuing the Legacy
Our dear friend, Joslyn, unexpectedly passed away days after giving birth, leaving behind her beloved husband Cory and their four beautiful children, Joshua, David and newborn twins Elisha and Naomi. This devastating loss has left their family shattered.
All of us who know and love Cory and his family are heartbroken by the sudden and tragic loss of their wife and mother.
While we are heartbroken, we are not without hope. We believe in a risen Savior who is making all things new.
A new home for the Ward Family
As we have prayed about how we could support Cory and their children, we have decided to pursue purchasing a home on their behalf. Cory and Joslyn had dreamed about owning their home – and had already taken the new homeowners course through ICCF. They knew that the two-bedroom apartment that they are currently living in would not meet the needs of their growing family for long.
With the help of ICCF, we have identified a home just three blocks from where Cory and Joslyn have been renting. It is 1600 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2 ½ baths, new construction built by Eastbrook Homes. Cory has gone through the home and believes it would be a wonderful place to start a new chapter for their family.
To make this extravagant gift possible, we will need your help.
The cost of the home is $260,000. Thanks to five early gifts, we already have $50,000.
Cory agrees to a covenant between the givers and himself. Givers covenant to support Cory and his children in the ways they are able. They do this in the knowledge that we serve an extravagantly generous God who calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. In return, Cory covenants to use the house and the money provided only for long-term housing for himself and his children, agreeing not to use the funds for anything else. Cory would like the home to be a surprise for his children.
A group of friends and family covenant to stand with Cory through the process to help his family prosper in the next chapter of their lives. Covenant supporters include:
The Ward and Davis Families
Taylor and Stephen Smith
Ed and La'Leatha Spillers
Lateefah and Joe Gofoe
Aaron and Betsy Winkle
Nadia and Brandon Kimble
Bruce and Candace Matthews
Steve and Cheryl Timyan
Dave and Ruth Ellis
Brad and Christy Knetsch
Nicki and Danny Tardy
Brian and Tara Krosschell
Jeff and Chris Manion
Cheryl Chambers
And a host of others!
Donations for the home purchase are being collected by The Cord Group. The Cord Group was created by Dave Ellis and Steve Timyan. Steve and Dave have served on the Urban Young Life Board with Cory Ward for a number of years. The Cord Group was created to do good in the city of Grand Rapids and around the world in the name of Jesus, and has included a special focus on building stronger relationships between people of different backgrounds.
We invite and hope you will donate in the following ways:
Checks should be made out to The Cord Group and sent to the address below:
4764 E. Fulton St. Suite 102
Ada, MI 49301
Please write "Ward House" on the memo of the check.
Online donations for the home are not being accepted as we would like the gifts to remain tax deductible.
Gifts to the Cord Group can be made through the National Christian Foundation and other donor advised funds.
Tax ID number 45-4578042
All checks are tax deductible as no goods or services are received.
To support the Ward Family and their ongoing needs, a gift can be given through the following platforms.