Series Intro: Christ Fellowship has just begun a new series on Sunday mornings walking through the book of Exodus. The story of Exodus is a beautiful story of redemption where God redeems a people from the pit of slavery and redeems them to a life of worship and mission. Over the next few months, we wanted to have members of Christ Fellowship share their story of redemption. We pray that you find these stories encouraging as you aim to live a life redeemed for worship.

1. Tell us briefly about yourself.

My name is Joel Ham. I’ve been married to my wonderful wife, Stacy, for almost 9 years. We have 5 children – Edith (7), Clay (6), Adelle (4), Evelyn (3), and Noelle (6 months). I’ve worked for ShopHQ as a Loss Prevention Manager for 9 years. My company relocated our family here, from Minnesota, in 2008.

2. How did you first come to trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home with a mother and father who profess Christ as their Savior. My mom has always had a heart for ministering to children through various outlets, so it was no surprise to always see the Ham boys (I have two brothers) at Good News Club (vacation bible school) whenever one was going on. When I was 6 years old, I attended a Good News Club at our church and a godly woman, Mrs. Oliver, was my teacher. After one particular bible story, I had a lot of questions about God and His plan for my life. Mrs. Oliver shared the Gospel with me and I prayed for God to save me.

Fast forward several years, I was 26 years old, had just moved from Illinois to Minnesota, I was a long way away from my family, and I felt very much alone. Through various situations in my life at that time, God used trials to open my eyes to sin in my life that had been drawing me away from Him. My heart broke over how I had placed other idols before my Savior and I pleaded for His forgiveness. Shortly thereafter the Lord opened doors to allow me to change jobs, move closer to family in Minnesota, and find a church that helped me grow in my love for my Savior.

3. How has being a member of Christ Fellowship helped you grow in your love for Jesus?

The preaching and teaching at Christ Fellowship has always been so rich and deep – saturated in His Word. The love of Jesus is consistently displayed through my brothers and sisters in Christ whether it be in their words of encouragement, their prayers, the many ways they love my wife and my kids…they serve as examples of how I should and want to grow in my love for Jesus.

4. How has being a member of Christ Fellowship increased your love for the church?

(How does it helps you love God's people?) We were blessed to be early additions to the Christ Fellowship family – we attended the second service and became members shortly thereafter - so we’ve had the unique opportunity to see God working through this church, our church, His church, to draw us and others to Him, from almost the beginning. Being a part of a church plant is not always easy, but as we’ve grown in our knowledge and understanding of how to be a church we’ve also grown in our love for His church.

5. How has being a member of Christ Fellowship help you live on mission for Christ?

Whether it be through a sermon on Sunday morning, a class on a Wednesday or Sunday evening, Community Group during the week, or a Men’s Fellowship; I feel that I am always being challenged, or encouraged, or supported to be on mission for Christ. Being surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ who are constantly seeking to meet new people and develop relationships with them serves to encourage me in my efforts to do the same. It’s neat to see God working in the hearts of those he loves.