Born and raised in North Dakota as the son of clergy parents, Joel met his wife, Barbara, at seminary and they have followed the Lord’s call to ministry in the Wisconsin Annual Conference. He served five years at his first appointment to Elmwood and Rock Elm UMCs, then was appointed for 21 years to Faith UMC in Superior, and the last five years at Elk Mound Trinity and Iron Creek Salem UMCs.

Joel is deeply committed to engaging and growing local church ministry, has developed mission initiatives across the Conference, and has participated in Conference and Jurisdictional levels of leadership.

Joel and Barb have four grown children: son, Thanael; and daughters, Julianna, Hannah, and Hope. Thanael is a United Methodist pastor in the Dakotas Conference. Julianna is a nurse at the Durand Clinic and Hospital. Hannah was married last year and recently hired at Ascension Health in Racine. Hope is completing a program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and will begin a master’s program in medical pathology this summer.

Joel and Barb are excited about being part of the Beaver Dam community, confident that God has great things in store for the ministry at Beaver Dam UMC, and eager for this next venture with the Beaver Dam congregation!