[nlcf] – a church community for Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg

Joe & Lisa Racek

Serving in full-time ministry for over 15 years, Joe has a passion for God’s people and seeing His Kingdom come on earth, as it is in Heaven. This passion led him on staff with [nlcf] in 1995, being only the 2nd ever full-time staff person at a fast growing student church. Through on-the-job training, studies, classes, and mentoring from the founding pastor, Joe was ordained in 2001. Soon after starting their family, Joe and Lisa sensed God’s call on their life to go and help lead a church planting team from [nlcf] to Los Angeles in 2002. They helped start 3 neighborhood churches while living in LA. During this time (how can you ever sum it up?) their hearts were burdened for the poor, the rejected, the addicted, the lonely, the outcast….and both have been wholly changed by the experience. Seeing the gospel at work in a city such as LA has even more so deepened their love for Christ and desire to live out their own calling in the life set before them.

Joe and Lisa have been married for 10 years and have 4 crazy awesome kids. They returned to [nlcf] in 2009 to oversee the new downtown community, which serves the community side of [nlcf]. The miraculous events that got them back into Virginia form quite a story – ask them about it sometime!

Joe desires to create spaces where people can experience God more fully- whether in life, in worship on Sundays, at work or at school. He teaches, disciples, manages, walks alongside, and basically does whatever is needed. Both Joe and Lisa have a heart for helping others grow in their faith, as well as social and global justice issues.

When they find time to play, Joe loves any competitive sports, hanging out with the kids, and re-discovering the mountains (he misses surfing). Lisa loves to cook for people, dance, create, read, sew, and talk with friends.

Contact Joe.
Contact Lisa.