Pastor Joe Ely has served as our visitation pastor here at Phoenix First since 2002. He and his wife Marie have been married for over 65 years and have 2 daughters, 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Pastor Joe is an encourager to all especially our sick, homebound, hospitalized, and bereaved. He was called into pastoral ministry at the age of 35 and graduated from Nazarene Bible College, MidAmerica Nazarene University, and attended Nazarene Theological Seminary. He and his wife Marie have served in many churches across Missouri, California, and now Arizona. He retired from full-time pastoral ministry in December 2002 but retirement has not slowed him down from doing the Lord’s work.