Dr. Joel Willitts
Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Joel Willitts has had a wide breadth of experience that includes published books, essays and journal articles in the area of the Jewish context of the New Testament and four years as College Pastor at Christ Community Church in St. Charles, IL.
Dr. Joel Willitts is Professor in the Biblical and Theological Studies Department at North Park University. After graduating from Liberty University he spent 7 years in youth ministry in Texas, Florida, and Illinois. He has had a wide breadth of experience within both the church and the academy. Academically, Joel has researched and published books, essays, and journal articles in the area of the Jewish context of the New Testament.
His current writing projects are a commentary on Galatians, a book on Jesus as the Davidic Son, and a creative non-fiction project. Joel’s passion for the local church has remained strong throughout his education and professional life. Recently served four years as College Pastor at Christ Community Church in St. Charles, IL between 2010 and 2013. He is a fellow at the Center for Pastoral Theology, a group that promotes theology in and for the local church. Joel is married to Karla (21 years) and they have twins, Zion and Mary (7 years old). They live in Saint Charles, IL. He loves to travel. His favorite sport is baseball (a Yankees fan). Joel enjoys reading biographies and watching excellent TV dramas like Homeland and Breaking Bad. One of his favorite activities is going on long bike runs with his twins along the Fox River.
- Cambridge University, Cambridge, England: Ph.D., New Testament, 2007
- Cambridge University, Cambridge, England: M.Phil., New Testament, 2002
- Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX: Th.M., Old & New Testament, 2000
- Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA: B.S., Church Ministry, 1993
Expertise: New Testament, Early Judaism, Pastoral Theology