Joe Champion
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Joe ChampionBoard Member Celebration Church Joe Champion is the senior pastor and co-founder, with his wife, Lori, of Celebration Church in Georgetown, Texas, serving the Austin Metroplex. He is passionate about helping people connect with their destinies through the balanced, life-giving ministry of the local church. Entering full-time ministry in 1989 as a youth pastor in New Orleans, LA, Pastor Joe subsequently pastored churches in and around Baton Rouge, LA before answering the call to plant a church in the greater Austin area. The Champions founded Celebration Church in October, 2000 as a non-denominational church with a vision to reach the greater Austin area, and the world, with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to raise up and train ministers, missionaries and Christian leaders through the ministry training center being developed. In the little more than six years since its founding, Celebration Church has grown from the Champion family of five to ministering to over 5000 people per week! In 2005 Celebration Church purchased 110 acres of land on the fast-growing I-35 corridor and completed the first phase of construction on their campus complex designed to reach the nations. In 2006 Celebration Church was considered the 24th fastest growing church in America. In 2007 they broke ground for the “Heroes for Generations” facility—a 21,000 square foot Youth Center seating 1500 students. Pastor Joe was raised in a football family; his dad being a professional football coach in both the National Football League and the Canadian Football League. Joe, himself, had a distinguished football career playing for Louisiana State University. He considered a professional football career, but after a dramatic experience with Christ entered into full-time ministry in 1989. Pastor Joe’s family and personal sports background has made him a frequent speaker for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and in schools across the country. He is a gifted communicator, bringing relevant, practical messages that reveal the heart of God. His relational delivery and unique presentation style make him a frequently sought after guest speaker for churches, conferences and ministries around the world. Pastors Joe and Lori have been married for over 17 years, and they have three sons ages 14, 10 and 7, and are very active in the local community where, among other things, Pastor Joe is the chaplain for several area law enforcement agencies and is regularly engaged with the Chamber of Commerce, and the Austin business community. |
