Joseph J. Graber

Biography

As a pastor, artist, and filmmaker, Joseph is passionate about telling stories and using film for advancing the Kingdom of Christ. In 2011, soon after they were married, Joseph and his wife, Stacie, founded the Thorn Crown Project in order to produce films. In 2013 they moved to Colorado where Joseph was one of the founding pastors of a church. Joseph was born into the family of an Old Order Amish minister. His early childhood was marked by the usual features of the Amish culture: no electricity, going everywhere with horses and buggies, and wearing distinctive clothing. For years his father taught that salvation comes through good works and church membership. After extensive Bible study he discovered the truth: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) As his father began to preach salvation by faith, it caused serious conflicts with the elders of the church. Eventually, when Joseph was fourteen his family was excommunicated from the Amish church. Before becoming a pastor, Joseph traveled throughout the US and Mexico as a gospel chalk art evangelist. During those years he gained valuable experience in storytelling and learned much about the effectiveness of audio/visual presentations in communicating truth. He also discovered the need for quality promotional film projects to inform supporting churches about the mission. In 2013, Joseph and Stacie spent three weeks in Peru filming a promo for a Christian school high in the Andes mountains. Joseph finds that his faith informs his film making and is grateful for each film project that he gets to do with his wife Stacie by his side.