WHEN PASTORS JOSH AND KARA JOINES returned to their hometown of Baytown, Texas, to plant Faith Family Church, they carried a simple dream: to create a life-giving church where people could encounter God, find family, and step into their calling. Ten years later, that dream grew into a flourishing church that has impacted thousands in their community.
With growth came a pressing need for ministry-minded leaders who could carry the DNA of a life-giving church and advance the mission with excellence. For Pastor Josh and his team, Highlands College quickly became the first and only choice to source these leaders.
“To be quite honest, finding candidates that understand what it means to be in a life-giving church and carry that culture—that’s not easily found anymore,” Pastor Josh shared. “The reputation of Highlands College made it a no-brainer for us to establish a partnership. Graduates come in with an excellent spirit. They’ve been taught well, know what serving in a life-giving church means, are teachable, honor leadership, and work hard because they understand the harvest is ready, and they’re ready to be a part of it.”
Highlands College graduates have brought a unique combination of character, competency, and culture that Faith Family Church deeply values, which Pastor Josh describes as a foundation the church can build on immediately. “The graduates we’ve hired have strengthened our church’s ability to move the mission forward,” he shared.
“Highlands College graduates help us maximize momentum as we mobilize the local church. They bring the leadership our church needs to steward what God has given us—the people God’s called us to reach—and disciple them.”
Faith Family has hired seven Highlands College graduates, resulting in tangible wins for the church body. Every life touched through expanded youth ministries, new worship teams, and growing campuses is evidence of what happens when the local church invests in next-generation leaders.
“Having young leaders in the church makes us more effective in reaching the next generation,” Pastor Josh said. “To keep the church young, you need young people in ministry that you can empower, give a seat at the table, and welcome their ideas. These graduates are active disciples shaping the future of the Church.”
Faith Family’s partnership with Highlands College is rooted in more than filling roles—it’s also an intentional, Kingdom-focused investment in the future of the global Church.
“Highlands College graduates help us maximize momentum as we mobilize the local church. They bring the leadership our church needs to steward what God has given us—the people God’s called us to reach—and disciple them.”
Pastor Josh deeply believes that giving to Highlands College is one of the best investments any church can make to secure the capital ‘C’ Church’s future.
“Partnering with Highlands College—even in a small way—is a big deal to us because of what that investment produces: laborers raised to reach people, plant churches, and advance the Kingdom,” he said. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. If we reach the next generation, we need next-generation leaders. Highlands College is raising them, and we want to resource that.”
Pastor Josh describes this as a strategic investment that provides a greater return that speaks for itself. “Every time I visit Highlands College, I see the vision advancing through forward-thinking training, state-of-the-art facilities, and measurable impact produced in communities. God’s vision is in motion. Our church believes that because we pour into Highlands College, God also blesses the next generation within our house.”
Pastor Josh’s heart for ministry remains as clear today as when he first planted Faith Family Church. Highlands College has become a crucial partner in this local church’s calling.
“As long as heaven and hell are a reality, we must continue to reach people. God has asked us to help Him reach His lost kids—that’s the Great Commission, and that’s the purpose for which our church lives. But we need more laborers in the field. Highlands College is giving us graduates who can be placed on Day One. The mission is happening. The vision is happening. Every prayer, every dollar, every graduate—it’s making a real difference.”
Pastor Josh offers simple but powerful advice to those considering hiring young leaders from Highlands College: “When you hire a Highlands College graduate, you’re hiring someone trained in a world-class ministry school. They’re competent, eager, and excited—and that breathes something fresh into your church that every pastor should want.”
Through partnerships like these, Highlands College is directly resourcing the local Church, building the Kingdom of God, and ensuring that the Great Commission continues to advance—one leader, one church, and one life at a time. ■
Content has been edited on June 26, 2026 for republishing.
