SERMON FROM JOE FROM CANDIDATE WEEKEND.
MEET JOE FUNDERBURK
Joe Funderburk is a seasoned pastor with more than 25 years of experience leading churches toward healthy disciple-making, spiritual growth, and relational ministry. He is a collaborative, vision-driven leader with a heart for meeting people where they are and helping them take next steps with Jesus. Joe’s preaching is practical and biblically grounded, and his leadership thrives in elder-led, mission-focused church environments. He and his wife, Angie, share a deep commitment to ministry, hospitality, and serving the church together.
AFFIRMATION VOTES ARE DUE THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH BEFORE THE END OF THE 11AM WORSHIP GATHERING!
LEAD PASTOR CANDIDATE
JOE FUNDERBURK
Joe Funderburk is a seasoned pastor with more than 25 years of experience leading churches toward healthy disciple-making, spiritual growth, and relational ministry. He is a collaborative, vision-driven leader with a heart for meeting people where they are and helping them take next steps with Jesus. Joe’s preaching is practical and biblically grounded, and his leadership thrives in elder-led, mission-focused church environments. He and his wife, Angie, share a deep commitment to ministry, hospitality, and serving the church together.
Pastoral Candidate Bio — Joe Funderburk
Joe Funderburk has served more than 25 years in pastoral ministry, primarily as a lead and teaching pastor. He is currently the Pastor of Adult Discipleship at Valley Community Baptist Church in Avon, CT (church size 1000+), where he has helped strengthen disciple-making systems and revitalized ministries. Previously, Joe served for 12 years as Senior Pastor at Nall Avenue Baptist Church, leading both traditional and contemporary services.
Joe came to faith at age 14 and sensed a call to pastoral ministry soon after. He is known as a relational, collaborative, and mission-focused leader who loves helping churches grow through healthy systems, aligned teams, and intentional disciple-making. His ministry emphasis centers on meeting people where they are and moving them toward God’s purpose for their lives.
Leadership & Preaching
Strengths: Vision casting, disciple-making, spiritual wisdom, and equipping leaders
Style: Relational, team-oriented, and aligned with elder-led governance
Preaching: Thematic expository teaching with strong, practical application
Reputation: Revitalizes ministries, builds unity, and helps people move beyond “Sunday-only” faith
Growth Area: Prefers support for administrative details so he can lead best through people, systems, and vision
Faith & Theology
Bible: Affirms Scripture as authoritative and inerrant
Women in Leadership: Soft complementarian—supports broad leadership roles, while reserving elder/lead pastor roles for men
Marriage: Holds to a biblical view of marriage (one man and one woman)
Personal Practices: Abstains from alcohol, exercising pastoral sensitivity without imposing it on others
Family
Joe is married to Angie, who has a strong background in children’s ministry and now works in healthcare. They have three children—Laura, Max, and Jackie—and their home models shared ministry, hospitality, and healthy family rhythms.
Fit & Motivation
Joe senses a renewed call to lead pastor ministry, especially in churches that are elder-led, evangelistic, relational, and committed to disciple-making. His heart resonates with churches focused on helping people take next steps with Jesus, not just attend on Sundays.
