Joanne was born and raised in the Black Country. She is married to Lee and has two adult children and a teenager. Joanne grew up in a large working-class family and chose to be a stay-at-home mum for their children’s early years. For the last twelve years, Joanne was most passionate about children and family ministry and worked across a variety of churches bringing together the local community. As a young mum, she was worried that they wouldn’t be welcomed in the church but was soon made to feel like family. The feeling of belonging is important to Joanne, irrespective of background.
She believes God is calling her to bring hope back into homes, and Jesus wants to bless all families. Believing, people who may feel unseen or forgotten, that God wants to give them a voice of hope and a place to belong.
“A misconception of preparing for ministry is that you must be academic or have been a Christian all your life.” Joanne never thought God would call someone as ordinary as herself, but God saw the potential! Joanne believes everyone has a gift and a part to play, no matter what route you take. If you sense that God is calling you to vocation, the best advice she would give is to trust God and take that next step. Only God knows his plans for us – it may not be easy, but the journey is always worth it.