SFPBA Welcomes Pastor Joseph Caldwell as Executive Director of Missions
After diligently praying and seeking God's leadership, the Executive DOM Search Committee was pleased to bring Pastor Joseph Caldwell before the association as their recommendation for Executive Director of Missions. At a Special Association meeting on Saturday, July 25, 2009, SFPBA voted on the Search Committee's recommendation and called Pastor Caldwell as Executive DOM. SFPBA welcomes Pastor Caldwell and his family.
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The Search Committee's Recommendation
The Search Committee believes that Pastor Joseph Caldwell is prepared for this position because of his pastoral experience as well as his calm and direct approach to seemingly complex matters. Pastor Caldwell has a deep passion for the unsaved and has shown a strong ability to relate cross-culturally; effectively communicating God's Word in difficult situations. For example, while serving as an Army Chaplain in Japan he instituted a creative outreach opportunity that blended cultural education for the soldiers with a comparative religion aspect in such a manner that resulted in 15 conversions of faith in a three week period.
In our discussions with Joe, we explored several creative methods to partner with community-based organizations within the Bay Area to bring the Good News to the community and beyond. In addition, he had innovative ideas of using modern and alternative technology to reach our member churches, such as on-line conference calls, webinars, etc. This may also provide a means by which we can address our multiple language requirements and wide-spread locations.
We are excited about the entrepreneurial aspects of some of his ideas as they relate to building a healthy association thereby providing wider support to all of our member churches as they focus on their primary mission - to bring people to Christ.
Joseph Caldwell is familiar with the Bay Area and our churches as he has served and lived here for more than 10 years. We believe he brings to SFPBA the ability to unify individual churches into a wider group made strong for the mission field in the bay area and beyond.
When asked why he believes God is calling him to the position he states,
"I believe at this stage of my ministry, I have a lot of past experience in diverse ministries and diverse congregations that give me an insider's view of the churches I would serve and the ministries the association could be involved in. I also have a deep love for the Bay Area and a deep heart for seeing Christ's love shared throughout the Bay Area. My vision for future ministry has become increasinglyfar reaching. I would consider it a great honor to be able to minister in the "City by the Bay." Unlike some who may see San Francisco as in need of ereaching bevause of its well publicized sins, I love the city and believe that God does as well. I believe I can bring an understanding of church ministry, missions, and outreach that reflects the love of Christ to the people of San Francisco."
Personal Background
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Academic Background
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| Pastor Joseph Caldwell was born in Shelby, North Carolina and raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Joe is married to his wonderful wife of 13 years, Marva Caldwell. Marva is an Elementary School teacher with a B.A. from UCLA, and an MDIV in pastoral care and counseling from Golden Gate Baptist Seminary. They have two sons Joshua (10) and Christopher (8). When not busy with school and sports activities, the Caldwell's love to fish, hike and hang out at the beach. |
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Educationally, Joe has a B.A. from the University of South Carolina, and an MDIV and Th.M. from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He is anticipating completing his DMIN in Christian Spirituality from Fuller Seminary in August of this year. He is also enrolled in the Ph.D. program at Golden Gate. Publications include articles and sermons in Army Chaplaincy Journal, Preaching Magazine online, and Sunday School curriculum published with the BaptistWay Press. |
Ministry Background
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Special Training or Achievements
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Pastor Joe Caldwell has close to 17 years in full time ministry experience. His experience includes 3 pastorates in the Bay Area and one in Texas. He also served as an active duty army chaplain with the 1st Calvary Division, Ft. Hood, TX, and 35th Logistical Support Battalion, Camp Zama, Japan. During his chaplaincy, he was also the Senior Pastor of the Evangelical Chapel Service at Ft. Hood, and the Gospel Service in Japan. Joe has also served in Youth Ministry as a Summer Missionary while in college, and as a Mission Service Corp volunteer working with International student ministries at San Jose State and Stanford University. Secular work experience includes four years as an active duty enlisted soldier serving in Ft. Stewart, GA and Bamberg, Germany.
Caldwell was ordained at Colonial Heights Baptist Church, Columbia, SC in 1986.
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- Adjunct Instructor, Spiritual Formation, Baptist History, and Theological Research Methods, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary
- Assistant Professor (part time), New Testament, Bay Cities Bible College
- Teaching Assistant, Baptist History, Church History, Evangelism, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary
- Coordinated Seminary Student Revival Teams
- Supervised Ministry Students in Golden Gate's Field Education Program
- Presented a paper at the Fall 2006 National Meeting of the American Academy of Religion (Session on Spirituality and Social Action)
- Presented a paper at the Western Region Meeting of the Evenagelical Theological Society (War, Peace, and Ethics)
- Paper accepted for presentation at the National Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society
- Wrote Sunday School Lessons for BaptistWay Press on Colossians
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The Search Committee
The Search Committee's process included:
- The Search Commitee, starting in June 2008, met monthly, then weekly, until the candidate was selected.
- The committee bound itself to a covenant of prayer, faithfulness, and confidentiality
With the candidate's consent, the Search Committee conducted the following background searches:
- References supplied by the candidate
- Secondary references supplied by others, including the candidate's primary references
- The candidate's current or previous associational Director of Missions
- Other denominational leadership (Supervisory Professor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary)
- Financial background check
- Criminal background check
- Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis
Please join us to welcome Pastor Caldwell to our Association
Executive Director of Missions Search Committee
Wayne A. McFadden - Chair, Western Hills Church
Members:
Paul Chan - Pastor, Chinese Grace Baptist Church (English Ministry)
Wing Lem - Pastor, SF Mandarin Baptist Church (English Ministry)
Betty Lum - First Chinese Southern Baptist Church
Robert Moore - Chinese Grace Baptist Church (English Ministry)
Matthew Ellis - Balboa Baptist Church
Jaesil Lee - Korean First Baptist Church
Pamela Saunders - The Crossing Community Church
