We’re excited to announce Joel Vermillion has joined the WEA Sustainability Center as Assistant Director of Youth Engagement. Joel brings nearly 30 years of experience in outdoor leadership, disciple making, and experiential learning to help shape a new frontier of our work: engaging youth in creation care.
Since 2010, Joel has served with the Wilderness Ministry Institute, where he now serves as director. His leadership has included thousands of field days in more than 50 countries, training local church leaders in how to integrate the Gospel with youth ministry, discipleship, and wilderness experience.
With a B.A. in Intercultural Studies from Biola University and an M.A. in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics from Talbot Theological Seminary, Joel brings both deep faith and thoughtful reflection to his work. He and his family live in Oregon, where they actively enjoy God’s creation through hiking, skiing, gardening, cycling, climbing, and paddle boarding.
At the WEA Sustainability Center, Joel will help expand our youth programming, especially through:
- Creating an international collaborative platform where likeminded youth ministries can share opportunities for young people to experience the wonder and gift of creation through outdoor activities and adventure.
- Developing resources that help youth understand their call to care for creation as part of Christian discipleship.
- Equipping the next generation to act on that call with practical skills and spiritual formation.
- Convening and networking youth leaders and organizations globally to strengthen and scale this movement.
- Offering thought leadership and mini-courses tailored to youth audiences.
We’re honored to welcome Joel’s leadership, energy, and passion to the WEA Sustainability Center. Together, we’re committed to helping the next generation discover their identity in Christ, their role in God’s creation, and their capacity to lead with courage, wisdom, and care.
You can reach Joel at joelvermillion@worldea.org.