Joel grew up in Athens, West Virginia. He grew up in a Christian home where he professed Jesus as Lord of his life in August 2010. It was at his home church that Joel felt the leading of the Lord and surrendered to full time vocational ministry.

Joel attended Bluefield College where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry as well as sports management. Perhaps the most notable accomplishment of Joel’s collegiate tenure was meeting his beautiful wife, Megan. Joel and Megan were married in June of 2015. Immediately after graduation, Joel returned to his home church where he worked as the youth pastor from 2015 to May of 2017. In May of 2017, the Lord saw fit to move Joel and Megan to Fincastle, where they began ministering at Camp Eagle. Joel was hired as a program director and later transitioned to the role of assistant director and is now the Associate Pastor for Camp Ministries.

The Calfees have three children: Andrew (6), Esther (4) and Elias (soon to be 1).