Joël was born in the Netherlands and now calls the United States home. He and his wife, Sara, are blessed with two sons, Andrew and Philip.

A lifelong church musician, Joël has served in music ministry since 1989. His background includes classical training, leading worship in a variety of church traditions, and serving as a composer, producer, worship leader, and music educator in both public and private schools. He currently directs the chorus at Rondo School of Discovery. During his time at James Madison School, he appeared in the Oscar-nominated film Sing, produced for the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus.

In 2020, Joël sensed God’s call into pastoral ministry and enrolled in the CMC program through Concordia University Irvine in partnership with Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. After graduating in 2025, he was ordained and installed as pastor of Edgewater Lutheran Church, where he now serves with joy and gratitude. His passion is faithfully proclaiming God’s Word, administering the Sacraments, and equipping God’s people to live as faithful witnesses of Christ in their homes, workplaces, and communities.