updated 10/16/23
Prayer podcasts: for the city; for the officials; for churches/ministries
Joshua Tree is a census-designated place (CDP); population est. 7,398 [2022]; approximately 2,700 feet above sea level, located in the High Desert of California; center of business district is on Route 62. It is east of Yucca Valley and west of Twentynine Palms; off Interstate 10 then Highway 62. Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in the Joshua Tree National Park. Contains a variety of plants and animals that face strong winds and torrential rain, expansive night skies, with great cultural history, and geological features in this wilderness area. Bordered to the north by Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base, partially on the east by the City of Twentynine Palms and Copper Mountain, on the south by the Joshua Tree National Park, on the southwest by the Town of Yucca Valley and on the northwest by the eastern boundary of the Homestead Valley Community Plan area; 76 miles east of San Bernardino and 32 miles northeast of Palm Springs.
Mission statement: Encourage and promote plans for future healthy development of our village and our business community while protecting our environment; to remain well-respected by the community, responsive to our members and appreciative of the countless hours donated by our volunteers to assist in making our organization successful. Continue our efforts to promote Joshua Tree as an international tourist destination and a mecca for outdoor activities, while adhering to the principles of "Eco-Tourism" to ensure the protection of our natural wonders.
Demographics : The average household income in Joshua Tree is $55,591 with a poverty rate of 26.31%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to $896 per month, and the median house value is $150,100. The median age in Joshua Tree is 40.1 years, 39.1 years for males, and 40.7 years for females. White 72%; Hispanic 19%; Asian 1%; African American 1%; Other 7%; 21% high school graduates; 14% <high school; some college 36%; associate and above degrees 26%; average earning $29K; poverty rate 26%
Became a national monument in 1936, local and regional residents were primary park visitors. As Southern California grew so did park visitation. Expanded automobile traffic found its way to the area. Weekend Californians came to the desert to enjoy the clean, clear air, but also to confiscate various species of cactus for their home landscaping. When Mrs. Minerva Hamilton Hoyt, a wealthy California society matron saw the devastation left by these weekend visitors, she persuaded President Franklin D. Roosevelt to protect this area by proclaiming it a national monument on August 10th, 1936.
After the California Desert Protection Act occurred, the Joshua Tree National Monument gained National Park Status and grew to 105,900 acres its rise to prominence was complete. Joshua Tree now lies within a three-hour drive of more than 18 million people. As a next-door neighbor to the massive Los Angeles area, Joshua Tree has naturally become a very popular getaway, but the park remains a wonderfully low-key place, 75 percent of its land designated wilderness.
800,000 acres of mystical beauty, Joshua Tree National Park is undoubtedly one of the world’s most incredible natural desert treasures
Location of Joshua Tree in SBC
Specific Prayer Points
Environmental issues: air pollution, wind, heavy rains, wildflower bloom
Governed by: Meet the Board Members - Joshua Basin Water District (jbwd.com); District 3 San Bernardino County ; 03_Joshua_Tree_CAG_2020pdf.pdf (countywideplan.com)
Schools/District: Morongo Unified School district; Joshua Tree Elementary, Friendly Hills Elementary School; remaining schools are in Twentynine Palms
Crime issues: [2022] A crime occurs every 22 hours 34 minutes (on average) in Joshua Tree; overall crime grade C-; violent crime B-, property crime C-, other crime C-, top crime issues are 14% drug crimes [high]; 9% vandalism & burglary; theft 7%
Poverty rate: 22% [7% above CA avg. 15%] 17% male & 27% female poverty level; highest rates in children under 18
Points of interest: Joshua Tree National Park, Joshua Tree Retreat Center [super yoga, mental physics]
Spiritual needs: pastors connect & pray together to encourage and build unity; their congregations pray together; intercessors arise to claim this area for Jesus; recovery groups for those dealing with addictions, deliverance from strongholds, a move of the Lord in the churches to bring the lost to salvation; an awakening to those that know Him but aren't doing anything; baptism of fire that brings transformation and reformation in the city and national park
Churches & Ministries [not exhaustive]
Faith Lutheran church
Sky View Chapel Church of God - Family Christian Center [Church of God; Pastor Abe Casiano, Jr.]
Church on the Hill [Pastor Richard Wahlberg]