About Joe
From the boardroom to the morning.
For more than twenty years Joe Pettigrew stood before America's largest corporations. Today he writes to the heart of the ordinary morning — pointing more than 60,000 readers to Jesus, one day at a time.
Dr. Joe Pettigrew
Author · Devotional Writer · Pastor
His Story
Joe holds degrees from the University of Tennessee, Murray State University, and the University of Memphis, where he earned his Ph.D. He served as a university professor and college dean before founding Leaderpoint Consulting Group, which consulted with corporate leaders from more than half of the Fortune 500 companies. For roughly two decades he was a professional speaker addressing major corporations across the country.
In 2007, Joe co-founded In The Zone Ministries with Kyle Rote, Jr. — a national men's ministry that filled arenas and churches with Christian businessmen and sports figures. Out of that work grew a daily rhythm of writing that has never stopped.
His daily devotional, Morning With Jesus, now reaches more than 60,000 subscribers across all 50 states and 36 countries. He has authored seven books written for men, women, small groups, and young adults, and he speaks at churches and Mayor's Prayer Breakfasts nationwide.
Joe serves as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Brownsville, Tennessee, where he lives with his wife of fifty years.
60,000+
Daily readers
7
Books published
50
Years married
Four seasons, one calling
Education
Degrees from the University of Tennessee and Murray State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Memphis.
In the Marketplace
A university professor and college dean who founded Leaderpoint Consulting Group, advising leaders at more than half the Fortune 500.
In Ministry
Co-founder of In The Zone Ministries with Kyle Rote, Jr., and today the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Brownsville, Tennessee.
At Home
Married to his wife for fifty years, writing each morning to point readers to Christ.
The same message, from the platform
Beyond the daily devotional, Joe is a frequent speaker at churches, schools, and Mayor's Prayer Breakfasts across the country — calling people, wherever they gather, to follow Jesus faithfully.
Speaking at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast in Albany, Georgia.
“My prayer is simple: that before the noise begins, you would hear from Him first.”
Dr. Joe Pettigrew
Questions people often ask
Please reach Joe at joe@joepettigrew.org if you can't find the answer to your question.
What is the best way to contact Joe?
Email is the best way to reach Joe. You're also welcome to write or call.
What does Joe believe?
The mission statement of Following the Leader — the Bible-teaching ministry of Joe Pettigrew — states that he is committed to excellence in communicating the truths of Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ. And while a grace-based ministry such as this allows for freedom of interpretation and expression in many areas of Christian practice, the following essential beliefs are absolute and non-negotiable. Joe is an evangelical Christian.
The Bible
I affirm my confidence in God's inerrant Word. I treasure its truths, and I respect its reproofs. The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and written centuries ago by chosen men of God. The Bible is without error in its original manuscripts, is completely reliable as the final authority in all matters of doctrine and practice, and is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ.
God the Father
I acknowledge the Creator-God as my heavenly Father, infinitely perfect and intimately acquainted with all our ways. As the first person of the Trinity, the Father is the source and ruler of all things and is fatherly in His relationship with creation in general and believers in particular. And although there is one eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, holy, just, loving, true, and unchangeable God, in the unity of the one God, there are three divine persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in power but distinct in roles.
The Lord Jesus Christ
I claim Jesus Christ as our Lord—the very God who came in human flesh—the object of my worship and the subject of my praise. As the second person of the Trinity, the Son reveals the Father. According to the Father's plan, the eternal Son humbled Himself and became incarnate, inseparably uniting undiminished deity with true humanity. As fully God and fully man, Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, died to pay in full the penalty for our sin, rose bodily and miraculously from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will come again in glory.
The Holy Spirit
I recognize the Holy Spirit as the third member of the Godhead who is incessantly at work convicting, convincing, and comforting. As the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is the personal agent of the Father and Son for revelation and regeneration. Though pervasively present and active in creation, the Holy Spirit specially dwells among God's people and uniquely indwells individual believers, giving them new life and empowering them for lives of personal holiness.
The Family of God
I am grateful to be a part of the local church, which exists to proclaim God's truth, to administer the ordinances, to stimulate growth toward maturity, and to bring glory to God.
Believers are called to faithful membership in a visible, local congregation for the purpose of mutual encouragement and spiritual growth. As the family of God, a healthy local church is marked by God-glorifying worship, Scripture-centered teaching, intimate fellowship, and vivid expressions of the church's faith, hope, and love through evangelism, disciple-making, financial support, and service.
Does Joe still speak?
Joe does still speak, although not as much as he once did. He speaks currently in churches, at schools, and for athletic teams, and he is a frequent speaker at Mayor's Prayer Breakfasts across the country.
To check Joe's availability, send an email with your location and date to joe@joepettigrew.org.
Start each morning with Joe
Join more than 60,000 readers who begin the day with a short word from Jesus.