LEADERSHIP

REV. JOEL D. CHURCHWELL

Pastor/Teacher

Pastor Joel Dexter Churchwell was born to the late Reverend Gladys P. Churchwell and Deacon John D. Churchwell. He graduated from Kendrick High School, in Columbus, Georgia, and continued his postgraduate studies earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion, Masters of Theological Studies, Masters of Divinity degrees from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia, and Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

After serving 25 years in the United States Marine Corps, Master Sergeant Churchwell was called to a greater service becoming the tenth pastor of the historic Sandy Run Missionary Baptist Church, a church that is progressively striving to meet the needs of its community.  With great humility, Pastor Churchwell accepted this prestigious assignment from God, and twelve years later, he is still serving with great enthusiasm and honor as Pastor/Teacher.

Pastor Churchwell is also a leader in Onslow County. Presently, he actively volunteers and sits on the following community boards: Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce, Onslow County Hospital Authority Board, Board Member/Founders Committee New River YMCA, Consolidated Human Services Advisory Board of Onslow County, and Onslow County Partnership for Children.

He has also sat on the following boards with the same passion and enthusiasm he does with any mission: Member of Onslow County Board of Education, Onslow-Carteret Crisis Continuum Project, Quality Counsel Committee Onslow County Schools, Vice-Chairman Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Chairperson of the Weed and Seed Jacksonville, Board of Directors Department Social Services, Community Child Protection/Child Fatally Protective Team, Unified Development Ordinance Committee, Chairperson Community Investment Committee United Way.

Pastor Churchwell is a member of the Board of Christian Counselors, active in the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education as a certified Teacher Sunday School Publishing Board, and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.  For his service and leadership in his community, he has been recognized by several community organizations: Fabric of the Community Award, Omega Psi Phi Citizen of the Year, Jacksonville Civilian Community Service Award, North Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Juvenile Justice (DOBBS), Silverdale School Alumni Ordinary People and NAACP of Onslow County Minister of the Year. However, his most honored treasure is his family. Pastor Churchwell is the husband to the former Felicia Glenn, the proud father of three talented daughters, Erica Wilson, Kimberly Jones (Econa), Jo'el Smith (Jermond), and "Poppy” to five amazing grandchildren, Jordan, Jacory, Precious, Keion, and Jamal. 

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