Before becoming the Executive Director of the American Baptist Ministers Council, he was a pastor for thirty-nine years in five congregations. They were small and large in settings that included a small city, a densely populated urban environment, and suburban neighborhoods. He has been both solo pastor and leader of a staff of skilled pastoral colleagues. As a long-time pastor, Joe experienced the intense joy of ministry and the inevitable struggles of pastoral ministry. As the Executive Director of the American Baptist Ministers Council, he worked with many women and men in ministry. Drawing his and their experiences, he shaped these prayers for those who accepted God's call to ministry. Joe and Peggy have been married for 43 years. They have four grown children and 7 grandchildren.