I have seen them mature from naive freshmen to articulate seniors. As Joel's academic advisor, I saw him through 3 changes of majors, an intense internship experience, and several personal crises. Through all of this we became friends. Because of his friendship, my sense of loss is all the greater. In saving these paragraphs in my computer I came across a letter of recommendation I wrote for his music group Mustard Seed.
Most students get that equation backwards.
They know what program, practice and product they are interested in, but they have little appreciation of the reasons why they do what they do. With Joel nothing could be further from the truth. He has a deep sense of calling and a clear understanding that music is the medium and a relationship to Christ is the product. I have no reservations in endorsing the Christian ministry of this group. Today I affirm that I have no reservations in endorsing Joel Pierce as a man of deep faith, a courageous pursuer of God, and a person capable of extravagant love.