Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Dalrymple.
Hi Joe, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I was born into a half Christian/half non-Christian household and grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. I always struggled with genuinely caring about School since it never felt like something that stirred my passion. I found Jesus for myself, my sophomore year and immediately started getting involved in the Church. It clicked for me very soon after, there was nothing else I was ever going to be able to do besides ministry. My heart belonged/belongs to Jesus and my existence is to serve/love Him and help others find a home in His love. I switched to online high school my junior year and started interning at a small Baptist church for the rest of high school, then the pandemic came. I was locked in for the rest of the year with no real purpose as I could no longer work/intern. So, I found TikTok. I started posting preaching videos as well as Christian comedy videos on TikTok in early 2020 and immediately I saw my platform explode. Pretty soon after, I was able to influence/speak to 100,000+ people every day through this platform and share Jesus to all of them. The Lord blessed me with an opportunity that not many people get and I’m forever grateful for how social media ministry changed my life. I ended up going to Lee University to study bible for about one semester in person before switching to online college and beginning an internship with Elevation Church (the biggest church in the country). I was only 19 and felt extremely unqualified but the Lord never left my side. After this internship, the Lord told me it was time to move and go start ministry. So, in faith, I moved across the country alone as a new 20-year-old and started pastoring the middle schoolers at Lakepointe Church which is where I currently am now. Living by myself and living the dream at that.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not by any means.
I battled Anxiety/Depression almost my entire Middle School/High School experience and didn’t find freedom until college (through counseling and the Lord’s goodness).
Identity was another thing that I struggled with finding. In a world that wants to tell you exactly who you are and what your worth it, finding your worth in God can be tasking. I had to realize the beautiful truth that: whoever didn’t make me, can’t define me. God showed me that over time.
I had a father that struggled with alcoholism for years, which ravished my heart and my connection with family.
On top of all of that, I found myself fighting so hard to be someone I wasn’t and only ending up more hurt. I was the last person you’d ever think would become a pastor but by the grace of God, I’m doing the impossible.
Freshman year of High School Joe would be amazed.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a Middle School Pastor at Lakepointe Church.
My specialty is loving and caring for students/leaders. The biggest part of my job is helping disciple and walk students from a place of confusion, hurt, doubt to a place of security in the Lord.
I’m most proud of my students. The way they defy all social and cultural odds and become incredible, gifted servants of the Lord absolutely blows my mind.
What sets me apart is that I’m 20 years old. I’m the youngest Pastor on the entire staff by four years at least and probably one of the only 20-year-old MegaChurch Youth Pastors in the country.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was extroverted, outgoing, and crazy. A substitute teacher’s worst nightmare. I was crazy about sports, playing soccer all the way into college. I love the outdoors, hiking, skiing, running, biking, and anything in and under the sun. I was good in school but not great because I didn’t have a work ethic, I found that through some great teachers and leaders. I was also into music. I performed in musicals, plays, and choir concerts as well as sporting events, games, and anything you’d let me do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/joejdal
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@joejdal
