Joe Lightfoot

As a senior, I became increasingly uncertain of my future. God engineered circumstances for an unsolicited book of prayers and Scripture to come into my hands. A passage from John 14:27 made me painfully aware of needing something more in my life. In this passage, Jesus is comforting and encouraging His disciples near the end of His earthly ministry. He tells them, “I give my peace unto you, let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Jesus was speaking directly to me. Feelings of uncertainty and fear about my future were evident in my life and I wanted to have the kind of peace Christ was talking about. Earlier in my life I had cognitively understood that Christ had died on the cross. But it wasn’t until I read these words that I placed my trust in Christ who died for my sins and rose again to provide for me eternal life.

I pursued a college degree in Recreation and held several jobs before moving to Florida to become an Investment Advisor and Stock Broker. While there, I became increasingly involved in a local church. Two families were instrumental in my life, as they modeled and lived out their faith. I became involved in Adult Sunday School and participated in two small groups. I had many opportunities to teach adult classes and lead small groups as I continued growing in my faith.

As I began to recognize and develop my spiritual gifts, God began placing a call on my life. It was as if He was challenging me to invest my time and energy in something that would have eternal significance. If I was going to work as hard as I was at a job, then the job should be for Him, working for His kingdom.

Subsequently, I pursued further education at Dallas Theological Seminary, where I graduated with a Master’s of Theology. At Dallas I received the solid Biblical and theological foundation from which to do ministry. And, thus began my path toward full-time Christian service.

Prior to coming to First Federated in June of 2004, I served as the Associate Pastor of Small Groups and Christian Education at Elgin (Illinois) Bible Church. One of my main focuses at the church was joining alongside a group of committed men and women who desired to use their gifts and life experiences in building up others in their faith.

“The most significant impact (of my training and experience) has been the growing understanding that knowledge alone won’t save a person, and knowledge alone is not what religion is about. If the knowledge we gain on a Sunday morning doesn’t make it the 18 inches from our heads to our hearts, and work [itself] out in transforming our lives, it is of very little use.”

“The Church, this church, is a ministry of the entire local body of believers. Each person has an important role AND an important responsibility. The Bible tells us that God put each and every person here as part of His plan for His purpose. We all need to discover our specific individual purpose, be equipped for it, and be enthusiastically active in pursuing it as a part of the whole body at First Federated.”

My passion is encouraging and developing Christians to grow in their faith and become true disciples of Christ.

Lightfoot Trivia

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Extended Family: Mom and Dad (Rex and Betty)
Older brother (Jeff)
Younger sister (Jenise)
Th.M.: Dallas Theological Seminary
B.A.: Recreation Truman State University
Previous Positions:Associate Pastor of Small Groups and Christian Education
Vice President of Project Support
Stock Broker
Human Resources Manager
Recommended Reading: My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
Any of A.W. Tozer’s works
Far from Home by Joseph Stowell
The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldridge
Tender Warrior by Stu Weber
Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald
Favorite Bible Verse: John 14:27
Spiritual Gifts: Teaching, Leadership, Encouragement, Shepherding, Helping, Faith
Favorite Drink: Hot coffee
Favorite Sports: Enjoy all sports. Recently taken up golf.