I was born in 1962, married to Christine and we have three children: Michael 19, David 16 and Mark 11. My wife and I became Christians 19 years ago. At that time I was a tool and cutter grinder by trade and I had worked for thirteen years in a factory that made hydraulic valves. Before receiving eternal life, I was a drunkard; I was violent and abused drugs. I was involved in criminal acts and other rebellious and immoral activities such as practicing in the occult.

Christine worked in an office for three years, but she had to give up her well-paid job because she needed to take care of her mother who was dying of cancer. After her mother died, her father had a stroke just one week before our wedding, and then she had to care for him. This was a full time responsibility for her.

We courted for eight years before we got married, and we had our first son after two years. This year will be our seventeenth wedding anniversary.

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

CHURCH HISTORY

In the first church that we attended after we were born again, the Lord started to use us immediately. I was doing the work of a deacon and Christine was the secretary of the church.

After some time we noticed that there were serious irregularities, which led us to seek another fellowship. While we were searching for a church, a colleague from work was saved and soon after, another. I invited them to our home and started a Bible study group. Because I had no training, I bought a Study Bible and studied it. Soon after, the group grew to about 10 people.

Meanwhile I felt a leading to go into the prison ministry. Until then, there were no other serious volunteer efforts, much less any Evangelical ministry at the islands only prison. Although I faced all kinds of opposition and persecution, the Lord opened the door for me to work there for fifteen minutes every week. To day, I have unlimited access, and I am the chairman of all volunteer groups at the prison. I was also chosen by the government to be on a consultative board regarding the prison.

In the same time period, I was also led to start a project on the island of Gozo. Gozo is Malta’s sister island. There was not a church there, but there were three Christians’ that I knew of. I asked if they want to start a church there. Consequently, my wife and I used to go to the island one weekend every month to evangelize and give out tracts; and every fortnight we held a bible study. To day, we meet twice a week. 

During this period, I was seeking the Lord for a covering. But I was not comfortable with what was available, until I was introduced to the IPHC through a family that were members of the denomination in Ocala Florida.

WORK WITHIN THE IPHC

We joined the IPHC and I was ordained three years later. We became involved in People to People ministries and we presently support six children in Africa by means of fellowship meals, which we organize each month. We have been doing this for about eight years.

Few years ago I suggested to our church board that we start to send 10% of all income of the church to World Missions. We are informed by them that with these offerings we are supporting a full time pastor.

Early last year, we hosted a seminar delivered by Linwood Berry, (our OMC), under the auspices of the Mustard Seed Institute. A number of people from different churches attended the seminar and their feedback was very positive. Later in the year I held another course, and a number of Baptists attended the seminar.

EDUCATION

When I became a Christian, I felt the need to study the Bible seriously. I was introduced to ICI/Global University, and began systematic studies. Today, I have completed the Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Theology and another degree in Religious Education. I recently began to study for a Masters Degree in Biblical Studies.

TEACHING MINISTRY

I believe that the Lord has primarily called me into the teaching ministry. I enjoy studying, and have a desire to share what I learn with others. I am regularly invited to Cornwall England where I teach and preach in different churches. 

I teach ICI/Global University courses twice a year and lead a number of students from different churches to take the final examination. My satisfaction is that while we are teaching the course, my wife and I translate the books into Maltese, thus providing Maltese Christian literature. The final exam is generally taken by Maltese people that do not read English and hardly Maltese, and they pass the exam.

For a number of years I also taught Evangelism as a Way of Life at CICM Bible School in London and for the last two, History of Religions at St. Augustine's Bible Institute - Malta (ATI). This is a project within AWEMA. Recently I was asked to serve in the board of this school, a request which of course I accepted.

I hold regular weekly Bible Studies in our church, in two home groups, and in our sister church in Gozo.

Global University

On December 10, 2008 Pastor Joe was given the responsibility to become the National Director of Global University in Malta. This is a major step forward towards his vision to see education within believers and especially ministers improve in Malta.

CHURCH DISCIPLESHIP

Although our church is still in a modest number (around 75 members), we have an increasing number of people involved in ministry. (Part of my future vision is to train teachers). Most of the work is delegated and regardless of the occasional ‘hiccups’, we are successfully keeping the unity of peace and growing in love. A reformed Baptist preacher that preached in our church recently, commented that love and concern for one other is very evident in the church.

We meet as a church every Sunday afternoon in a field and have picnics, play soccer (get injured) and laugh. We purchased the building where we meet to worship. It is a large, comfortable building (according to Maltese standards), with very adequate facilities. It can accommodate around one hundred people. It can comfortably hold around eighty people, and is all paid for.

We have recently applied to build a second story to have more room to accommodate our activities; such as Sunday School and an office.

VISION