Joel received his calling to ordained Ministry from St. George’s, Austin, and attended Seminary of the Southwest. He graduated in May 2021 and was ordained to the transitional diaconate in June of that same year. Joel served the congregation of St. Francis, Tyler, for his two-year curacy and was ordained to the priesthood in January 2022.
During his time at St. Francis, Joel initiated a group that began meeting to discuss issues around race in the United States. The group continues to meet and is making some meaningful connections in the community. Joel also helped the community resume visits to parishioners unable to leave their homes.
Before ordained ministry, Joel lived in Austin, and worked in youth and young adult ministry in various locations including Good Shepherd, Austin. Before that, he worked in the Diocese of Kansas at the University of Kansas as an intern college missioner for two years. Throughout college and shortly after college, Joel spent time traveling and working abroad in Mexico, Peru, Spain, and Kenya. Joel is originally from Arlington and is excited to be moving back to the area for the first time since high school.
Joel is married to wife Laura, who works as an administrator for the Iona School for Ministry of the Diocese of Texas. Joel and Laura have two children: Max (age 5) who enjoys building with Lego blocks, and Mila (age 2) who enjoys finger painting.
Joel and his family look forward to the joys and challenges of church planting, and they are excited to help connect people to God, each other, and to themselves through love.
