“We are excited to be a part of a small church with a community of believers that are dedicated to spreading the love of Jesus to those in the surrounding areas,” says Joelle Haun of North Shore Bible Church in Danvers, Mass. (Phil Shearer, lead pastor.) Joelle and her husband, Brandon, have joined the ministry team at North Shore and Grow New England.
Brandon and Joelle were married in August of 2018. They met at Grace College during their freshmen year and have been together ever since. Joelle grew up in Winona Lake, Ind., and attended Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church. Brandon grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where he attended East Side Grace Brethren Church, Blacklick, Ohio, for church and school.
While visiting New England with Operation Barnabas in the summer of 2014, Brandon toured churches on the east coast, including North Shore Bible Church. The following summer, he visited the church to help serve for a few weeks. After the visit, Jack Brown, the director of Grow New England and one of the pastors at North Shore, kept in touch with Brandon throughout his college career.
Living on mission is a priority for the young couple as they prayed about where God wanted them to serve. The Lord put a burden on their hearts for the people in New England and God provided a job for Brandon in the area. They made the move from Columbia City, Ind., at the end of 2019.
“The transition has been great so far, says Brandon. “Honestly it couldn’t have gone any smoother!”
Brandon and Joelle both work full-time jobs that offer the flexibility to have time to transition well. They are currently helping host a monthly board game night that’s open to the community.
“We had our first one and it was a great turnout and we all had a blast. We are slowly learning what it looks like to love people here because it’s different in many ways than back home. We’re just so happy that we’ve made it out here and that the community here has been so supportive and welcoming!” says Brandon.
The Hauns are looking forward to living in a new place that will challenge their perspectives and produce spiritual growth. They are asking for prayer for their transition, as they adapt to the new culture, jobs, and home as well peace, comfort, and wisdom as they adjust.
[Connect:] Send Brandon and Joelle an encouraging note here. Read Jack Brown’s latest update on Grow New England here.