Joel Mackey Joins First Church as Parish Associate

First Church has a new Parish Associate, Rev. Joel Mackey. Joel is a long time Bay Area resident and has served most recently as Parish Associate at Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church. Joel is currently a professional clinical counselor at Bay Area Community Resource and an attorney in private practice.

Joel’s past work has included serving as executive director for Habitat for Humanity East Bay Silicon Valley (a First Church Community Partner), Oakland Public Education Fund, The Ed. Fund, and Harbor House Ministries, to name a few. Joel and his wife, Mary Biasotti, run Mission Rooted Consulting, an organization that assists non-profit organizations with start-up, legal help, strategic planning, and other needs.

“I believe I am called to serve as part of a community active in ‘repairing the world’ through tangible acts of justice, mercy, and grace,” said Joel in response to his new commitment to serve as Parish Associate. In the Presbyterian Church (USA), a parish associate is an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament who is participating in a local church not in an installed role, but through congregational ministry.

“I have significant lifelong experience in nonprofit organizations focused on the housing, educational, economic. and spiritual needs of people. I believe that I am called to a ministry setting where the congregation is engaged in concretely serving its community,” added Joel. “I hope to be connected to a ministry that allows me to utilize my varied gifts.”

Joel has led a Building the Beloved Community discussion group on the topic of Intersectionality and lead a Bible Study group on the topic of prayer and intimacy with God. “I would like to be in ministry setting that encourages every member to discover and share their gifts for the growth and edification of the congregation and the community,” said Joel. “I would hope that the congregation would nurture this same impulse within me.” Joel has also participated as worship leader and preacher. He meets regularly with Pastor Matt for pastoral support and leadership development.

Joel is a graduate of Northwestern University, the University of California, Berkeley, and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University. Joel has a passion for coaching youth sports.  He is currently the head coach of the girls’ varsity basketball team at Making Waves High School.  He has also coached boy’s high school basketball and youth soccer.