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JOEL WILLOUGHBY:
A Journey of Faith, Resilience,
and Dedication to Serving Others through Brains and Bibles

Joel Willoughby's life is a testament to faith, resilience, and dedication to serving others through his unwavering belief in Christ. His journey has taken him across the United States, shaping him into a committed Christian leader and founder of Brains and Bibles.

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EARLY YEARS & SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

Frequent moves marked Joel's early years due to his father, Rick Willoughby's, service in the Coast Guard. Joel never lived anywhere longer than four years until he was an adult. The Willoughby family's frequent relocations profoundly impacted Joel's early development. Each move meant adjusting to a new environment, making new friends, and finding new routines. This constant change was a formative experience for Joel.

Born in 1986 in Petaluma, California, Joel and his family moved to Mobile, Alabama, when he was just 11 months old. While in Mobile, the Willoughbys attended Calvary Baptist Church, and if the doors were open, they were in attendance. It was during his time in Mobile that Joel experienced his first profound spiritual awakening.

When he was four or five years old, the pastor's wife, Mrs. Easter, taught his Sunday School class about sin, and he realized that he was a sinner. She explained how sin prevents a relationship with God, and Joel understood that he was guilty and that his sin, if left unforgiven, would ultimately keep him permanently separated from God in a place called Hell. Mrs. Easter taught them from the Bible that the only way to be forgiven was through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross, taking their place of death and using His blood as the only legitimate currency to pay the high price for sin.

She used a phrase that Joel would never forget: "You must be washed by the blood of the Lamb!" Feeling guilty before God, Joel believed in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection nearly 2,000 years ago. He desired God's gracious gift of salvation—the forgiveness of sin and a forever relationship with Him. Overcome with his need for Jesus Christ, Joel yelled out during her teaching in a high-pitched Southern accent, "I wanna be washed by the blood of the Lamb!" In that moment, he was born again as a child of God, having been forgiven of sin and made new. This early introduction to Christianity set the stage for Joel's lifelong journey of faith.

 

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A TUMULTUOUS ADOLESCENCE & TURNING POINT

In June 1991, Joel's family relocated to San Diego, California, only to move again in May 1992 to Cleveland, Ohio, living first in North Ridgeville and then in Parma. During this period, when Joel was just seven years old, his mother chose to dissolve her marriage, marking a significant and challenging moment in his young life. Today, Joel's mother, Doris, is well and living for the Lord.

 

In May 1996, Joel moved to Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and a year later, in May 1997, he returned to Mobile, Alabama. At the age of 14, Joel began to pursue the world. He never developed a habit of reading the Bible, praying, or having a quality relationship with God. There was no discipleship or active church to draw him in. All he saw were rules and the importance of outward appearance. After ten years, his joy for Christ slowly faded. He began to search for pleasure and satisfaction outside of the Person, Word, and people of God.

 

By May 2001, his father had moved to Huntington Beach, California, while Joel moved to Bellevue, Ohio, to live with his mother, knowing there would be minimal rules and little accountability. These years were tumultuous and marked by a struggle between his upbringing and the world's temptations. The absence of a consistent spiritual mentor and a supportive church environment led him down a path of rebellion and self-destruction. By the age of 14, Joel found himself ensnared by alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other vices. While he seemed happy and thought he had it all together, Joel was miserable, empty, and broken. His life was burdened by living in sin, particularly the addictions, and seemed to keep getting worse until God outwitted him. In September 2004, at the age of 18, Joel experienced a profound change when a casual conversation with a coworker prompted him to re-examine his faith.

 

Joel worked at a factory in Bellevue after high school while attending ITT Technical Institute in Strongsville. He was intent on a major primarily because he wanted to pursue dreams of wealth for selfish and prideful reasons. In September 2004, there was a coworker named Frank whom Joel was talking to while smoking a cigarette during a break at work.

 

Frank asked if Joel attended a church. He sheepishly admitted it, knowing that he was living hypocritically. Frank then said something like, "Don't you believe that smoking cigarettes is a sin?"

Joel was no theologian at this time and had yet to learn about many things. Another consideration is that two of his major flaws were his love of looking good and being right. God used these things against him and outwitted him!

 

Joel quickly said something like, "Well, the Bible says our body is a temple to the Lord, and so we should take care of it, but people eat ice cream too...so pick your poison!" He chuckled at his response and watched Frank's face for any resistance to his answer. Frank accepted the response, but he probably was not completely satisfied. This dialogue led Joel to look up the verse he paraphrased later that night to see if it was in the Bible.

 

There was an old Strong's Concordance in Joel's closet that his brother, Rob, had gifted to him sometime before. After blowing the dust off it along with his Bible, Joel used them to look up the verse he referred to and found I Corinthians 6:19, which reads, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

 

That night, Joel read that verse several times, then read a few verses around it several times, and then read the whole chapter several times. He kept reading verses like 9-11:

 

"9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

 

And verses 13b-20:

 

"Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

 

All these words, God's words, shot through Joel and tore his insides to pieces. Before he knew it, he was sobbing, convicted of his sin, shamed before God, and now a humbled servant looking to amend the relationship with God that he had so callously disregarded. Joel spent the rest of the night reading the Bible and talking to God. He confessed and repented of his sin, thanking and adoring the Persons and actions of God. He rejoiced in what the Lord had done, was doing, and would do. Joel was completely sold out for Jesus Christ and His Kingdom from that day forward!

 

From there, Joel made amends with everyone he could. He began to be active in the church he attended. I Timothy 3:1 (KJV) reads, "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." While he was no theologian, Joel knew he wanted to do anything good and eliminate evil. So, he pursued the pastorate just on that thought. The only Christian college he knew of then was Pensacola Christian College, where his brother was pursuing a Master of Divinity degree.

 

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ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Determined to deepen his understanding of the Bible and to serve God, Joel enrolled at Pensacola Christian College in January 2005. Despite his previous struggles, he was granted special permission to begin his studies. At Pensacola, he immersed himself in theological studies, exploring the depths of Christian doctrine and practice. His involvement in Bible clubs, pastoral internships at three churches, and various ministries provided hands-on experience in leadership and service. These experiences were transformative, shaping his approach to ministry and solidifying his commitment to serving God. Joel's academic achievements were a testament to his dedication and the profound impact of his studies on his personal and spiritual growth.

After finishing classes at Pensacola Christian College, Joel moved to Radcliff, Kentucky, next to Fort Knox Army Base. Demonstrating both spiritual and physical daring, Joel would sneak onto the army base and share the gospel with young recruits, keeping an eye out for drill sergeants who would chase him off the base.

Shortly after moving from Kentucky to Bellevue, Ohio, the enemy began a spiritual attack on Joel, and he became unsure if God could or would ever use him. A few weeks later, God moved Joel to nearby Clyde, Ohio, where Joel experienced the love and support of a pastor who restored him with great encouragement. Joel immersed himself completely in spiritual pursuits and looked for ways God could use him.

TRIALS & TRIUMPHS

In June 2009, Joel married Danielle Souza, a fellow believer who shared his passion for ministry. Danielle became not only his partner in life but also his partner in faith. Together, they embarked on a journey of service, supporting each other through the highs and lows of life and ministry.

 

For a couple of years, Joel tried to discern what the Lord had for him in this life. He worked hard and became involved in many ministries, including a faith-based addiction recovery group, evangelical outreach, discipling others, hosting a morning FM radio program, and even performing custodial duties for his church. In October 2011, Joel and Danielle welcomed their first child, Roger.

During the summer of 2017, Joel helped revitalize Northland Camp and Conference Center in northern Wisconsin as the Assistant Program Director for the camp that summer. Only a couple of days after returning home, Danielle had a seizure from a heart condition known as Long QT, which was unknown to them at the time. Her heart stopped for 45 minutes, causing catastrophic brain damage and whole brain swelling. On Friday, August 11, 2017, her 29th birthday, the Lord took her home to Himself, leaving Joel behind with Isaiah, who had just turned four a few weeks earlier, and Roger, who was soon to be six in October.

 

This immense loss was a devastating blow, bringing profound grief and uncertainty to Joel and his family. Despite this, Joel's faith remained unshaken. His faithful walk with Jesus Christ helped him through this immense trial, and he found solace and strength through the support of his church community. Joel's ability to remain steadfast in his faith during such a challenging time is a testament to his deep spiritual conviction.

In 2018, Joel's life took an unexpected turn when he reconnected with Beth Javaux, a longtime family friend. In January 2018, her father, John, was diagnosed with stage four cancer. The time from his diagnosis until his death was only 36 days. During that time, Joel was determined to encourage John and his family and visited them at the hospital and hospice. There, Joel saw Beth in a new light. He saw her as grounded, wise, and godly woman and wanted to learn more about her. They began to spend more time together and talk for hours. By March 31, 2018, they were officially dating. Their shared faith and mutual support blossomed into love, and they were married in November 2018.

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Together, they welcomed a daughter, Valerie, in October 2019 and another daughter, Hannah, in December 2021. Then, tragedy struck again. Joel and Beth miscarried a baby named August in 2023. Their journey through grief and new beginnings highlights God's promise to provide peace that surpasses all understanding and the transformative power of love and faith. And God has seen fit to bless the Willoughbys with a baby boy in June 2024.

THE VISION BEHIND 

In the spring of 2020, Beth encouraged Joel to pursue something more substantial for work during the summers when school was out. Joel readily agreed and wanted to use his skill set of studying and teaching the Word of God. He also wanted it to be meaningful. The ideas that began formulating in their imaginations turned into Brains and Bibles!

Brains and Bibles was born out of Joel's desire to combine his passion for teaching with his commitment to faith. The ministry provides in-depth Bible study resources and fosters a community of believers committed to growing in their faith. Joel and Beth's vision for Brains and Bibles is to see churches become healthy and to grow being unified under Christ and habitually sharing the Gospel and making disciples. In June 2022, Joel dedicated himself entirely to Brains and Bibles. This transition to full-time ministry allows him to focus all his energy and resources on growing the ministry and reaching more people with the message of Christ. Joel's commitment to this work is evident in his passion and dedication to his role. He is not just a leader; he is a servant dedicated to helping others grow in their faith and live out the teachings of the Bible.

 

THE IMPACT OF BRAINS AND BIBLES

Since its inception, Brains and Bibles has made a significant impact on individuals and communities. The ministry offers a range of resources, including Bible study guides, workshops, and conferences designed to help believers grow in their faith. Joel's dedication to this ministry is evident in the countless lives touched and transformed by his work; individuals and churches have grown in their faith and commitment to evangelism and discipleship. Brains and Bibles is not just a ministry; it is a testament to Joel's commitment to serving others and sharing the message of Christ.

CONTINUING THE JOURNEY

Joel's journey is far from over. In January 2021, he began working on a Doctorate of Ministry degree, furthering his academic and spiritual pursuits. His decision to pursue a Doctorate of Ministry degree reflects Joel's commitment to continuous learning and growth. This advanced degree will enable him to deepen his understanding of theology and ministry, equipping him with the knowledge and skills to better serve Christ and his church.

 

Joel's life is a powerful testament to the gospel's transformative power, the importance of perseverance, and the impact of dedicated service to others. His work through Brains and Bibles continues to make a meaningful impact on individuals and communities, helping them grow in their faith and live out the teachings of the Bible.

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