Joel Engle
Encyclopedia
Joel Engle is a Christian
recording artist living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He has recorded the #1 song "Shadow of Your Cross" and the top 10 songs "Louder Than The Angels" and "Be A Father To Her."
At the age of 16, Joel met some close friends of his house parents by the name of Dale and Nadine Engle. A bond was formed and soon after he not only moved in with them, but became part of the family by taking their last name. It was a landmark year for Joel, including his realization that Christ was the only one that would never leave him. From then on, with his hope firmly planted, there was no looking back.
In fact, Joel found himself staring at an old, brown upright piano in his new room at the Engle household. "I just stared at it because I couldn't play anything much except for the infamous Chopsticks
, and Silver Bells" Joel laments. "I longed to use my talents for Him. I prayed, 'God if you will give me the ability to play the piano, I will never sing a song or write a song that doesn't glorify your name!'" Joel's boldness and surrender were soon rewarded.
Joel went on to study music and theology on scholarship at Oklahoma Baptist University
. While there, he met and eventually married his wife Valerie. After college, he toured with Dawson McAllister student conferences for three years, playing in front of crowds upward of 500,000 per year. Then in 1997, Joel and wife Val, who shared his heart for ministry, started Spin360, a modern worship resource that provides worship leaders with songs, chord charts, sheet music, and other tools (currently over 9,000 churches worldwide utilize Spin360). Joel's piano and vocal talents were also simultaneously being put to good use with many camp dates, conferences, and outreach opportunities with the Billy Graham Association
, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
, and Student Life.
All the while, Joel was making his own independent album releases to go hand-in-hand with the ministry dates he was active in. "I had to go through a huge healing process over my growing up years," Joel said. "The songs I was writing became natural expressions of how God delivered me from the wounds of the past. There are so many Christians today who live in pain secretly that I want to give hope to by showing how God healed me."
Joel has been the opening act
for GMA Dove Award winners Rebecca St. James
, Third Day
, MercyMe
, and others.
On November 15, 2007, a bulletin posted from Joel's MySpace site indicated that he would be "retiring from Christian music in September 2008." His purpose in this was to "transition into church planting." Joel planted the church in Keller, Texas
which is called "The Exchange," and it is a "Bible-based, missional" and "culturally relevant," citing that the need for the church is based largely on population growth in the area. He has recently opened a teenage ministry called "Echo". He has written a book with a similar name and concept: The Exchange: Tired of Living the Christian Life on Your Own? published by Threads, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources
.
Collection
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
recording artist living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He has recorded the #1 song "Shadow of Your Cross" and the top 10 songs "Louder Than The Angels" and "Be A Father To Her."
Biography
As a young boy growing up in San Francisco, Joel Engle never knew his father. His mother raised him the best she could, managing to provide by working a nine to five job at an oil company. Tragedy struck when, at the age of 11, Joel found his mother lying on the kitchen floor after suffering a stroke. She died soon after, leaving Joel in the care of his elderly grandparents. Just three years later there was even more upheaval when Joel's grandfather died and his grandmother went to live in a retirement home. "Life was basically miserable and I was constantly afraid," reflected Joel. "I was consumed with thoughts of what was going to happen to me. I felt alone, unloved, and unhappy." At the age of 14, there was no other option for Joel but to check himself into the local Baptist Children's Home.At the age of 16, Joel met some close friends of his house parents by the name of Dale and Nadine Engle. A bond was formed and soon after he not only moved in with them, but became part of the family by taking their last name. It was a landmark year for Joel, including his realization that Christ was the only one that would never leave him. From then on, with his hope firmly planted, there was no looking back.
In fact, Joel found himself staring at an old, brown upright piano in his new room at the Engle household. "I just stared at it because I couldn't play anything much except for the infamous Chopsticks
Chopsticks (music)
"Chopsticks" is a simple, extremely well known waltz for the piano. It was written in 1877 by the British composer Euphemia Allen under the pseudonym Arthur de Lulli...
, and Silver Bells" Joel laments. "I longed to use my talents for Him. I prayed, 'God if you will give me the ability to play the piano, I will never sing a song or write a song that doesn't glorify your name!'" Joel's boldness and surrender were soon rewarded.
Joel went on to study music and theology on scholarship at Oklahoma Baptist University
Oklahoma Baptist University
Oklahoma Baptist University is a co-educational Christian liberal arts university located in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and owned by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Established in 1910, OBU is ranked No.2 among baccalaureate colleges in the western region in the 2010 U.S...
. While there, he met and eventually married his wife Valerie. After college, he toured with Dawson McAllister student conferences for three years, playing in front of crowds upward of 500,000 per year. Then in 1997, Joel and wife Val, who shared his heart for ministry, started Spin360, a modern worship resource that provides worship leaders with songs, chord charts, sheet music, and other tools (currently over 9,000 churches worldwide utilize Spin360). Joel's piano and vocal talents were also simultaneously being put to good use with many camp dates, conferences, and outreach opportunities with the Billy Graham Association
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is an organization started by Billy Graham in 1950. The main focus of the BGEA is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible...
, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a non-profit interdenominational Christian organization founded in 1954 and that has been based in Kansas City, Missouri since 1956. It falls within the tradition of Muscular Christianity. Although established by evangelical Protestants, the concept has...
, and Student Life.
All the while, Joel was making his own independent album releases to go hand-in-hand with the ministry dates he was active in. "I had to go through a huge healing process over my growing up years," Joel said. "The songs I was writing became natural expressions of how God delivered me from the wounds of the past. There are so many Christians today who live in pain secretly that I want to give hope to by showing how God healed me."
Joel has been the opening act
Opening act
An opening act or warm-up act is an entertainer or entertainment act that performs at a concert before the featured entertainer...
for GMA Dove Award winners Rebecca St. James
Rebecca St. James
Rebecca St. James , is a Christian pop rock singer, songwriter, musician, author, and actor. She began performing in Australia in the late 1980s and released her first full-length studio album in 1991. In 1993 she was signed to the record label ForeFront Records and released her major label debut a...
, Third Day
Third Day
Third Day is a Grammy award-winning Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and former member Billy Wilkins. The other band members are bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr...
, MercyMe
MercyMe
MercyMe is an American Christian rock band founded in Greenville, Texas. The band consists of vocalist Bart Millard, keyboardist James Bryson, percussionist Robby Shaffer, bassist Nathan Cochran and guitarists Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul....
, and others.
On November 15, 2007, a bulletin posted from Joel's MySpace site indicated that he would be "retiring from Christian music in September 2008." His purpose in this was to "transition into church planting." Joel planted the church in Keller, Texas
Keller, Texas
Keller is a city located in Tarrant County, Texas, in the United States. In 2011, it was ranked 93rd in Money Magazine's list of best cities to live in the United States. It is a northern suburb of the city of Fort Worth and is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex...
which is called "The Exchange," and it is a "Bible-based, missional" and "culturally relevant," citing that the need for the church is based largely on population growth in the area. He has recently opened a teenage ministry called "Echo". He has written a book with a similar name and concept: The Exchange: Tired of Living the Christian Life on Your Own? published by Threads, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources
LifeWay Christian Resources
LifeWay Christian Resources, based in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the largest providers of Christian resources in the world. LifeWay has been recognized as one of the "Best Employers in Tennessee" by BusinessTN magazine.-Background:...
.
Discography
- Made for Worship (2005)
- I Believe in You (2007)
- Nothing Left of Me
Collection
- Ultimate Worship Collection - 3 CDs