Joel Richardson's biography:
Born on the south shore of Massachusetts, Joel's faith journey began in 1991, when he became aware of the significant disparity between the number of unreached people worldwide, particularly Muslims, and the number of missionaries serving this population. This realization deeply burdened him, and he committed his life to serving Muslims with a faithful testimony of Jesus. He moved to Kansas City in 1993, where he spent time in Israel, Egypt, and Jordan, developing a deep affection for the Middle East.
Joel's ministry is multifaceted, having launched a campus ministry for international students in 1996, founded a decorative painting business in 1998, and consistently reached out to Muslims locally and internationally since the mid-90s. He is the author of eight books, including a New York Times bestseller, and has produced several Christian films and documentaries. He also hosts a popular YouTube program, The Underground with Joel Richardson, and co-pastored a home church fellowship in Kansas City for five years.
Joel's passion for reaching the Middle East with the Gospel of the Kingdom drives his ministry, and he has served on the boards of several ministries dedicated to this goal, including FAI. He has over twenty-five years of experience in Muslim-related ministry and has been a valuable asset to Frontier Alliance International, where he has served as Board Chairman since 2021. Joel's commitment to preserving the integrity of our messaging and life as a body, community, and family is unwavering.
Joel is married to Amy, whom he met in 1997, and they have five children. When not traveling, Joel starts his mornings with an early forest jog, spends his evenings with his family listening to gospel, bluegrass, and jam bands, and enjoys serving as a parent assistant at his son's football practices.
