Joel Robbins was born at Fort Campbell, Kentucky where his father was stationed as a JAG Officer. Moving back home to Texas after being stationed in Germany, Joel and his three siblings quickly became “preacher’s kids” when their father entered into ministry in the United Methodist Church. Moving throughout the Central Texas Conference as children, Joel was reluctant to acknowledge his father’s second career. When asked by a local newspaper reporter if his father was the new minister in town, Joel replied, “No sir! My dad is a truck driver who likes to drink a lot of beer!”

Matriculating at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas, Joel obtained an Associate of Arts degree and then headed off to Texas Tech to study law. Life events, including a fire at his father’s pastorate Arlington Heights UMC, and a fire at the family’s home changed the course of Joel’s life. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he thrived as a tank commander, serving in the Gulf War. During his time in the USMC, Joel began to lead Bible Studies for his fellow Marines. Wherever Joel was stationed, he became involved in a local church.

Returning to civilian life, Joel settled in Huntsville, Texas where he was a single father to his son, Brandon, and caretaker to his grandparents, Q.C. and Mary Lee Robbins. Following in his mentor’s Q.C.’s footsteps, Joel became an award-winning salesman for Ford Motor Company. In his spare time, he participated in several bible studies at First United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Texas. He and Brandon were heavily involved in the local school, church, and civic activities.

In 2000, Joel’s brother John, then the senior pastor of Granbury FUMC, set Joel up on a blind date with the church’s youth minister, Christie Brunner. And even though Joel said he would never marry a minister, or miss the opening day of dove season, Joel and Christie were married in 2001-and he has missed opening day every year following to celebrate his wife’s birthday. While in ministry at Glen Lake Camp, Joel told Christie he was feeling called to pulpit ministry. After finishing a Bachelor of Science at Texas Wesleyan University, he continued his education at Brite Divinity School. Christie’s ready reply was, “Yeah. We all know that. We’ve been waiting for you to figure it out.” Serving Mooreville UMC for five years, and Ovilla UMC for 10 years, Joel enjoys long pastorates filled with discerning God’s call for visionary leadership while honoring a congregation’s rich history. Joel also answered God’s call to become a chaplain in the US Army Reserve when he was 45 years old. Joel and Christie are the only clergy couple in the conference to have both won the Harry Denman Award for Evangelism.

Joel and Christie are the proud parents of three children: Brandon and his wife Elizabeth, Marion Ruth, and Thomas Q.C. (Tom) Robbins. The family is pursuing a goal to travel to all 50 states and all the national parks before their younger two children leave the nest. Joel enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and almost anything outdoors. The Robbins love their travel trailer, affectionately dubbed the “Ramblin’ Robbins.” At home, Joel can be found watching WW2 documentaries, both versions of True Grit, grilling on Monday nights, and participating in his children’s extracurricular activities.