Not in the History Book: Papa Joe Bradford
Joe Bradford was born in a small town in west
Nashville. He grew up in poverty along with his sister, mother and
grandmother. He did not have much contact with his father. Joe
survived a deadly snakebite, faced prison time for a computer hacking crime,
and fought kidney disease. Through these struggles, Joe developed a heart
for the poor and oppressed.
Joe and Denise, his wife, moved to a Nashville project community due to financial challenges. Through this they had the opportunity to help the children that lived in the projects with basic necessities, giving emotional support to those that needed it and assisting with school work. Joe and Denise began directing a choir for the inner-city children. At one of the rehearsal meals, Joe comforted and prayed for a little girl who had been hit by her drug addicted mother. One of the girls sister saw came up to Joe and asked for him to be their dad. More children came up to him and asked him the same question. That is how he became Papa Joe.1
Joe and Denise, his wife, moved to a Nashville project community due to financial challenges. Through this they had the opportunity to help the children that lived in the projects with basic necessities, giving emotional support to those that needed it and assisting with school work. Joe and Denise began directing a choir for the inner-city children. At one of the rehearsal meals, Joe comforted and prayed for a little girl who had been hit by her drug addicted mother. One of the girls sister saw came up to Joe and asked for him to be their dad. More children came up to him and asked him the same question. That is how he became Papa Joe.1
In 2005, Elijah’s Heart was founded by Papa Joe
and Denise. Elijah's Heart mission is “to show love and bring aid to
underprivileged children and their families.” They are working to raise
awareness and inspire a great movement of love in action.
Papa Joe co-produced the movie
"Unconditional" and is currently traveling the nation as an
ambassador for the movie and its purpose of love. He has also authored an
autobiography, A Walk of Love, which brings readers along his journey of
finding his purpose in life.
“Being led by the heart and love of the Father,
Papa Joe seeks to inspire people to realize and passionately grasp hold of
their gifting’s and purpose…so they too can begin to take bold steps down their
very own walk of love.”2
Works Cited
Pictures
People often feel like the only way that they can help is by working through large organizations. If we all just take a minute and look at the needs of our own communities in addition to however the spirit moves us globally, and then take action locally many lives can be positively affected. Papa Joe and Denise did that. Very inspirational! I believe in cottage industries and local ministry. Thank you for giving us an example of how much each of us can really do to help our brothers and sisters.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless!
Delete