I’m a pastor, which means I have one job. “(My) responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12, NLT)

Have you felt like you’re expected to carry out the Great Commission of telling others about Jesus, yet you feel like you’re lacking the necessary training and qualifications to accomplish the task? Or maybe you’ve been asked to serve as a church officer, yet you have no idea what all is expected of you? You begin to feel overwhelmed and feel like you aren’t able to fulfill what God has asked you to do. I believe everybody should be equipped with the tools necessary for them to carry out the calling God has placed on their lives and I teach, train, and empower people to this end. This helps them find fulfillment as they realize their calling.

My name is Joel Sutherland.

From the Desk

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View fullsize Ancestors on both sides of the family are from Scotland and this is certainly a place that has my heart. Driving the North Coast 500 with Chelsea, Caleb, and Aubrey has been a dream come true! Here’s a few iPhone shots as we prepare to head hom
View fullsize London, you’ve been amazing! I’ll post pictures from my good camera once I get home and back to a computer, but here are a few from my phone. Heading to Scotland tomorrow! #shotoniphone #family #vacation #london #england #greatbritain
View fullsize New headshots, thanks to @xander._o and @paola.mora.z! Swipe to see proof I must be an author down deep inside. 🤣
View fullsize A few photos from a hike yesterday with a few of our @kytnsda pastors! It ended up being longer and more strenuous than anticipated, but we bonded through the experience and had a lot of fun! #kytn #canon60d #pigeonforge #gatlinburg #smokymountainsn
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View fullsize Merry Christmas from our home to yours!
View fullsize Blessed beyond what I deserve! PS: @njoymoments I hope you noticed that I put your picture before my first airplane picture ;) #thanksgiving #thankful #family
View fullsize Such an incredible time at EC3 this year! @prrogerhernandez and the planning team do a great job with the Evangelism Conference every year and this year was such a blessing. Counting down until next year! #ec3 #shotoniphone #evangelism #southernunio

Quick facts about me.

  1. I say I'm from Alaska, since that is where I was born and where I have lived for nearly half of my life. But I have moved a lot and have called nine states and three countries home. These experiences have helped to shape me into a balanced person with an international perspective.

  2. While at Southern Adventist University, I completed the Soul-winning And Leadership Training (SALT) Program, worked as a Bible worker, served as an elder and Sabbath School superintendent in my local church, became president of the Student Ministerial Association, completed two evangelistic series both in the United States and overseas, and graduated in December of 2014 with my Bachelors of Arts in Theology. In the summer of 2016 I resumed classes as I began a 6-year journey to complete my Master of Ministry with an emphasis in Church Leadership and Management, graduating in December of 2021.

  3. In my last semester at Southern, I accepted a call from the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and began pastoring the Lobelville, Parsons, and Camden district at the beginning of 2015. In the summer of 2017 I received a call to transition to the Lawrenceburg / Pulaski district and served there until October of 2021. In November of 2021, I moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to work for the Pennsylvania Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as the pastor of the Pittsburgh / New Brighton district. I relocated back to Tennessee in May of 2022 and am currently serving as the Ministerial Director for the Kentucky-Tennessee conference, living in the Nashville area.

  4. As a pastor, I am passionate about professionalism in every area of life, including ministry. As a pilot I enjoy the challenge of a perfect landing and am constantly in awe of the freedom of flight. As a musician I love listening to music as well as playing various instruments. As a creative I find a certain kind of beauty in design, whether it be film, photography, or some other form of digital expression. I also enjoy hammocking, hiking, reading, driving, and spending time with family and friends.

  5. Chelsea and I were married on March 12, 2017 in beautiful Napa, California. Learn more about her here.