Our Staff & Deacon Board

Pastor Joe has ministered at Brookside since the founding of the church in 1983. He came to know Christ at the age of 22 and shortly thereafter enrolled at Grand Rapids School of the Bible.  In 1980 he graduated from Bob Jones University with his Bachelors degree in Bible, followed by his Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University Law School in 1983. 

He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1988.   In 2003 Northland International University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in recognition of his service and commitment to local church ministry, missions, and Christian education.

Pastor Joe also serves on the board of directors of Bob Jones University and Camp Ironwood. He has ministered throughout the United States and many foreign countries, primarily in the areas of stewardship, finances and estate planning.  Retiring in the fall of 2021, he was also a principal shareholder in the law firm of McLario Helm Bertling & Spiegel, SC, practicing law part-time, concentrating in estate planning, estate tax planning, and charitable giving. He has written on First Amendment Rights and Alternative Dispute Resolution and has testified before the United States Congress on religious civil rights issues.

He has also served the community of Menomonee Falls, WI as a multi-term Village Trustee and as Village President.

Pastor Joe is burdened for laymen to commit their lives to Christian service regardless of their vocation, and for Christians to understand their stewardship responsibilities in all areas of life.

He is married to Lana Lee and has three adult children and five grandchildren.