Joe Wright

Joe grew up in Quincy, Massachusetts (and he occasionally still pronounces a word with a strong New England accent, like in pahk the cah). When he was 11 his family joined the great westward trek and moved to Walnut Creek, California. After high school he attended San Francisco State University for two years and graduated from the University of Massachusetts. After nearly four years in the Air Force he received a Master’s degree from Denver Seminary and later got a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary in California.

Joe came to Christ while in college and he and his wife, Calla Jean, have served as missionaries in Austria for nearly 33 years. Joe enjoys walking, digital photography, watching movies (especially older—like in cleaner!!—ones) and reading.

First Job: Administrative assistant in an orthopedic clinic.

Life Bible Verse: Hebrews 12:1-3

A Favorite Quote: We do missions not because of the many commands in the Bible to do so, but because God is by His very nature a missionary. (A composite quote from various sources, highly influenced from Christopher Wright’s [no relationship] excellent book The Mission of God.

Some Favorite Travel Memories: Jerusalem, Petra in Jordan, the top of the leaning tower of Pisa, a Norwegian Fjord cruise and a visit to Gettysburg.

Favorite Movie: Probably the 1950’s black and white version of “12 Angry Men”—I like movies that show people of character.

Food I hate: Asparagus

Food I love: Popcorn, raisins, oatmeal and raisin cookies, spaghetti, and low-fat ice cream

One embarrassing moment: From the second floor spilling a jar of dark wooden stain down the light green outside wall of our apartment in Vienna.

Most famous person I have met face-to-face: Jimmy Carter (on a flight between New York and Atlanta)

Good childhood memories: Our extend family (great aunts, uncles, etc.) in Massachusetts.