Joel Thayer

Biography

            I was born and raised in northwestern Pennsylvania where most of my extended family still resides.  I am the oldest of four children, two younger brothers and one younger sister.  My parents were founders and administrators of French Creek Valley Christian School.  I attended this school until the eighth grade when I transferred to the local public school

            My family attended Christ Evangelical Free Church of Saegertown Pennsylvania.  At a young age of 7 I responded to a Sunday school teacher’s invitation to receive Christ.  I recall at the age of 14 wrestling with a boredom with God and church.  I prayed a prayer that went against my own will at that time--for God to instill in me a joy for His Word.  I received that enthusiasm and, praise to God, it has stayed with me.  At the age of 18 I realized my need for baptism and demonstrated my identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

My college career began at the nearby Edinboro University where I pursued a two year degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology.  Upon graduation I worked a few years in the tool and die industry.  During these years my involvement in music and ministry grew as did my heart for the Lord.  I worked closely with others in local teen and college ministries, and went on missions trips and ministered at a local prison.  I realized my natural ability for ministry, changed direction and began my career at the Moody Bible Institute in 2000 where I earned a Bachelors degree in Bible/Theology and Music.  This move to Moody was preceded by a year long internship as a youth and worship leader at the previously mentioned Christ Evangelical Free Church. 

            It was at this church where I met Erin, who is now my wife.  As she began her college career at Wheaton College I began mine at Moody.  We were married our senior year and moved to Oak Park, Illinois where I continued as lead accompanist on the worship team at New Life Christian Fellowship.  We completed our degrees and moved to Florida in 2003 to live near Erin’s parents, who at that time were pastoring a church in Sarasota. 

            We settled in Englewood and have mainly been involved in two churches here: Sunnybrook Alliance and Grace Community Church.  The former being a more traditional setting and the later being mostly mission driven or contemporary.  At Sunnybrook I enjoyed an “Assistant to the Pastor” role where I learned many of the graces of a pastor administrating the ordinances of baptism and communion, assisting in visitation, teaching and preaching, and leading Gods people in song.  Here too I began a work on Saturday nights that continues today by way of an alterative, non-traditional service.