When was the last time you saw God work through the faithful obedience of an ordinary person to do something extraordinary? In a life spent following Jesus, few things are more beautiful than seeing God use one simple investment of time, energy, care, or resources to make a cascading impact in a dark and despairing world. This idea of the ripple effect of life change is manifested in the story of Joe Velarde '00. Joe lives with his wife and seven-year-old son in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where Joe serves as the founder and pastor of Riverbend Community Church. As a guy who grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, Joe says he never imagined he would end up in the Northeast. Even more so, he emphasizes he never would have pursued a life of serving the Lord had it not been for those who faithfully invested in him through a difficult past. In sharing how God brought him from the challenges of his early years to where he is today, Joe highlights several people who had a profound influence in his life – catalysts of change that God used to prepare Joe for the impactful future He had planned for him.
“One of the major factors in me coming to Jesus was the fact that God brought men and women around me through my school and my church,” Joe shares. Several teachers and youth pastors came alongside Joe, praying for him and pouring into him through the toughest moments of his middle school and high school years – including the day he was put on probation at school and the evening he was taken in handcuffs to spend the night in a juvenile detention center. “They purposefully spent time with me, tangibly meeting the needs my brothers and I had. They practically demonstrated who Jesus was.” These role models didn’t give up on Joe through his struggles as a teenager. God used them to bring Joe to the point of trusting Christ in high school and dedicating his life fully to the Lord upon graduating. It was at the crossroads of graduation that God used a young youth leader named Bryan Kelso to encourage Joe in his next steps. Joe describes Bryan as a big brother; he gave him a Study Bible, helped him learn how to drive, and was a key part of his journey from high school into adulthood. “Bryan said to me, ‘Hey man, I think it would be really good for you to go to Word of Life Bible Institute.’” Bryan’s father and grandfather both served on the board of directors with Word of Life, and Bryan believed the Bible Institute
would be the ideal place for Joe to become grounded in his walk with God. “I had no concept of Word of Life at that point in my life,” Joe remarks as he looks back on that day. Nevertheless, Joe took his trusted friend’s advice and started making plans to pursue the Bible Institute. As Joe considered furthering his education and preparing for ministry, he faced a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. “I wanted to pursue youth ministry and attend Word of Life Bible Institute, but I didn’t know how I was going to pay for it.” As Joe confided in others about his dilemma, one friend asked, “Have you really prayed about this?” He challenged Joe to trust that God could make a way. Joe went home and prayed. Then, he decided to go to the bank and see what his options were. “As I was walking out the door, my phone rang. It was Elise Carey, who would later marry my friend, Bryan. She said, ‘My dad would like to have you over for dinner tonight. He wants to hear more about what you’re envisioning for your education.’” Elise’s parents were Max and Susan Carey, another influential couple in Joe’s life. “Max was a businessman, and he wanted to hear a bit about my story and aspirations. He dismissed everyone from the table so that it was just him and me.” Nervously, 17-year-
BRYAN KELSO MAX CAREY
The Word of Life Experience SUSAN CAREY AMY PETERS
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