• Northwest WA Regional Office
    PO Box 3052
    Anacortes, WA 98221
    (360) 708-7584
    Director Joel Pemberton
  • all communities

Joel Pemberton, NW WA Regional Director

History

When I was a teenage boy, I walked through the doors of Anacortes YD, and into a relationship with a YD leader that changed my life. Mark Evans took me under his wing and spent lots of quality time investing in the skinny, awkward, zit-faced and lonely teenager that I was. He helped me through my tuff teenage years.

That is really the biggest reason why I am here today. (Besides the fact that for some reason God has given me an overwhelming passion seeing teens come to know Him and He hasn't let me do anything else). But here's what went on between then and now...

I left Anacortes (as soon as I could) and attended Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, BC. My plans were to only attend one year and then go on to study business - God had other plans. Part way through that first year of school, God broke my heart for lost people in the world and I began to look at missions. After careful consideration and prayer, I decided to return to CBC to pursue a diploma in missions. Then God showed me how much I loved teenagers (which I really did not thik that I liked). By the time I was done with College, I had a certificate in biblical studies, a diploma in missions and a year of youth work.

I then proceeded to do an internship with Moses Lake YD. I discovered a real joy for working with teens who just simply want nothing to do with God. I love to see these kids give their life to Christ when they realize that everything else that they are trying does not work and that He is the way, the truth and the life!

After my intership with MLYD, I decided to return to school to reunite with the love of my life (Chantel - she's now my wife... check out the family section, will ya?). We got married in 1998 and decided to take a little time together before going back into full time ministry. Eight months later I began working in a super cool church called His Place, in Burlington. I spent two years there and met a lot of amazing teenagers and a wonderful staff team, but I did not feel that my passion for the hard core, "at-risk" teen was being met. That's when I chose to come on full time staff with YD in Anacortes.

The past seven years have been a challenge, but they have also been amazing. The time working with the teens here in A-town, have been a thrill.

I am now in the Regional Director position for the NWWA Region of YD Communities. I am managing the Directors for 6 areas and starting new YD ministries in communities that we do not yet have ministry in - that is something that I am thrilled to do! My job is very challenging but fulfilling. It is crazy to think that I can have an influence over whether we impact thousands of kids or hundreds of kids... I want to reach thousands...

Later~