 |
Joe Brown
Senior Pastor
|
I was adopted into a loving Christian family when I was 11-months old. I grew up in Long Beach and later went to Berkeley for college. I know that “Berkeley” and “Pastor” don’t usually go together, but it was the spiritual and moral pressures of college that motivated me to pursue vocational ministry. Although I graduated with a B.A. in Architecture (’94), I went on to seminary at Talbot (Biola University in La Mirada, CA) and got a Masters in Divinity (’98). My initial focus was high school ministry at First Baptist Church of Lakewood in Long Beach – the same church I attended as a teenager. I then served at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena for over five years with oversight of both children and student ministries. From 2004 to 2007 I was the Associate Pastor for Adults at Grace Bible Church in Arroyo Grande (near San Luis Obispo), with a range of responsibilities that included small groups, men’s ministries, young singles, families, electives and preaching.
I met my wife Tricia in our own youth group back in junior high, and we got married in 1995. Our dating relationship began while we were both interns for the high school ministry. Because of that, she’s always understood the demands of a church-ministry-lifestyle and knows how to nurture and manage our home as a pastor’s wife. We have three children who are easy to love: Morgan (‘99), Sam (‘01), and Taitem (‘03).
In the past I’ve enjoyed skateboarding, snowboarding, Disneyland and volleyball. Currently I spend my extra, fun time on photography and exploring all there is to do as a family in the Bay Area. I’m also the quintessential Mac user, and proud of it! Tricia likes event-party planning, gardening and reading.
In June of 2007, Hillside Church asked me to come and lead as their Senior Pastor. I still can’t believe it! After much prayer and reflection, I humbly accepted and joined the team in September. The story isn’t over and God’s story is of greater significance than Hillside’s or mine. Now that He has brought our paths together, I believe He will exceed our expectations.