education
Pastor Joel Dexter Churchwell was born to the late Reverend Gladys P. Churchwell and Deacon John D. Churchwell. He cherishes his family above all else. Pastor Churchwell is married to the former Felicia Glenn and is the proud father of three daughters: Erica Savage, Kimberly Jones (Econa), and Jo'el Churchwell. He is also affectionately known as "Poppy" to five wonderful grandchildren: Jordan, Jacory, Precious, Keion, and Jamal.
He graduated from Kendrick High School in Columbus, Georgia. He pursued further studies, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion, a Master of Theological Studies, and a Master of Divinity degree from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Additionally, he completed a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
pastorate
After serving 25 years in the United States Marine Corps, Master Sergeant Churchwell was called to a higher purpose, as the tenth pastor of the historic Sandy Run Missionary Baptist Church. This church is dedicated to meeting the needs of its community. With deep humility, Pastor Churchwell accepted this significant assignment from God, and twenty-two years later, he continues to serve with passion and honor in both pastoral and teaching roles.
Community leader and service
Pastor Churchwell is also a leader in Onslow County. Currently, he actively volunteers and serves on the following community boards: Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce, Onslow County Hospital Authority Board, Founders Committee of the New River YMCA, Consolidated Human Services Advisory Board of Onslow County, One Place, and Chair of Onslow County Hospital Equity and Inclusion Work Group.
He has also sat on the following boards with the same passion and enthusiasm he does with any mission: former member of Onslow County Board of Education, Onslow-Carteret Crisis Continuum Project, Quality Counsel Committee Onslow County Schools, Vice-Chairman Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Chairperson of the Weed and Seed Jacksonville, Board of Directors Department Social Services, Community Child Protection/Child Fatally Protective Team, Unified Development Ordinance Committee, Chairperson Community Investment Committee United Way.
Pastor Churchwell is a member of the Board of Christian Counselors, active in the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education as a certified Teacher, Sunday School Publishing Board, and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. For his service and leadership in his community, he has been recognized by several community organizations: Fabric of the Community Award, Omega Psi Phi Citizen of the Year, Jacksonville Civilian Community Service Award, North Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Juvenile Justice (DOBBS), Silverdale School Alumni Ordinary People, and NAACP of Onslow County Minister of the Year.