Joe Jorgenson

Born in Vancouver in 1980 Joe Jorgenson grew up believing his family life was typical. It wasn’t until later that he realized the chaos in his home - his father’s involvement in drug dealing and the constant fighting between his parents - were signs of a deeply dysfunctional environment. His father eventually served 14 years in federal prison for drug charges and firearm possession, while his mother, who was with him during the arrest, served four years.

Joe’s life took a tragic turn when his uncle and 13-year-old brother were killed in a car accident. Joe, who was riding in the back seat without a seatbelt, was thrown through the front windshield, colliding with his brother and sustaining life-threatening injuries. He was life-flighted to the hospital and spent months recovering. Joe suffered a broken leg, four pelvic fractures, a broken jaw, and was placed in a full-body cast. He also experienced brain damage, though remarkably, he developed a photographic memory after the accident. His 11-year-old brother walked away unscathed. Joe, however, remained unaware of his older brother’s death until weeks later when his parents finally broke the news—an emotional blow that deepened his pain.

Before the accident, Joe struggled in school, but afterward, anger took root in his heart. By the age of 11, he began associating with gang members, and at 12, he committed his first crime—stealing a car he found with keys inside. He was eventually caught when police located the vehicle.

At 15, Joe’s anger escalated when he stole a shotgun from a friend’s house, intending to retaliate against another student. This led to his first stint in juvenile detention at Green Hill School. It was the beginning of a long and turbulent relationship with the criminal justice system. Over the next two decades, Joe spent approximately 23 ½ years in prison, cycling through seven different facilities: Shelton, Monroe, Walla Walla, Airway Heights, Cedar Creek, Olympic Corrections Center, and Larch Mountain. His charges were largely rooted in violent behavior, and he spent about six of those years in solitary confinement. But Joe’s story didn’t end behind bars. He has now been out of prison and clean for six years.

Despite the chaos, a flicker of hope emerged when Joe discovered his father’s Bible after his passing. Inside were notes written during his father’s time in prison, reflecting a man who had given his life to God. That Bible is now in Joe’s possession, serving as both a reminder of his father’s transformation and a symbol of his own journey. Joe’s mother has also turned her life around, remaining clean from meth for the past 18 years, and his sister managed to avoid the destructive path that consumed the rest of the family.

The pivotal moment in Joe’s life came at Larch Mountain Correctional Facility when he met Doug Perry and Russell Bedford. Doug persistently invited Joe to attend church and Celebrate Recovery sessions within the prison. Joe initially refused, but eventually, curiosity led him to both. It was during this time that Joe accepted Jesus Christ, and everything changed. His anger and violent tendencies were replaced with compassion and a desire to help others. Where he once asked, “Whose jaw can I break this time?” he now asks, “Who can I help heal today?”

Since then, Joe has completed Celebrate Recovery step studies four times and now co-leads the program, teaching and guiding others through their own struggles with anger and addiction. He is deeply committed to discipling others, encouraging self-discipline not just in their faith journey, but in their overall lifestyle.

Joe’s transformation extends beyond prison walls. He now works out regularly at Forever Fit Gym, where he has lost 64 pounds and inspires others to pursue healthy, God-centered living. His mother joins him at the gym, marking a beautiful full-circle moment in their shared journey of recovery.

Today, Joe is married to Winter, and together they are raising two teenagers and two young daughters. Both Joe and Winter serve on the board of directors for Faithful Servants Ministry, dedicating their lives to empowering others through faith, hope, and love.