Joe Elvis serves at Good Shepherd as the Director of Youth & Family. He is the coordinator of our middle school (RiSE) and high school (FLY) youth programs. With a heart for the next generation, Joe brings over three decades of experience as an educator and more than 23 years in ministry. His passion is to guide young people in their faith journey while equipping them to be compassionate, courageous leaders in the world.
In 2002, while living in Los Angeles, Joe founded the Drama in Christ Ministry, a creative outreach that began with his original Christmas musical, Open House on Christmas Eve. That ministry has since grown into Arts4God, through which Joe has written and produced more than 39 original faith-based plays and musicals, all centered on the life-changing message of Jesus.
Joe’s mission is rooted in the radical love of Christ, one that embraces acceptance, unity, forgiveness, and harmony. He believes in loving like Jesus: without borders, red tape, or conditions. As Joe often says, he lives by the words Jesus spoke in Luke 10:37: “Go and do likewise.”
Joe and his husband Bart have two college-aged sons and a lively household that includes several beloved animals.
Whether he's leading youth, writing musicals, or mentoring the next generation, Joe’s heart beats for lifting others up and helping them discover their identity in Christ.