Deacon Joe, a lifelong Lutheran from Knoxville, was ordained as a Minister of Word and Service on June 28, 2025 Joe answered a call to serve as a minister of Word and Service for leadership development and community engagement to Peace Lutheran Church and serves in a contract role at St. John’s Lutheran Church with the Southeastern Synod as full partner on July 1, 2025.
Joe received his Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Lenoir-Rhyne University (when it was still a college). He completed his Master of Arts in Ministerial Leadership at United Lutheran Seminary, graduating May 9, 2025.
Joe is married to the Rev. Dr. Amy Figg Ley. Their son, Dresden, is a rising senior at West High School. Joe has a wide range of interests and broadly eclectic musical taste. Joe loves to read, write, and play role-playing games. On a more active note, he also enjoys riding bicycles and skateboarding.
