Joel

My name is Joel. I live with my parents and brother in an apartment near Barcelona, Spain. My family supported me in every stage of life as I grew up. However, my childhood still had its challenges, especially during my school years, when I was bullied. This made me feel very insecure and alone. Those years marked me deeply and shaped the way I saw myself and others. 

I was born and raised in a Christian family, but I truly met Jesus four years ago at a Spanish Christian camp. A leader there helped me trust in people again and understand that I was not alone and that I had Jesus in my life. I then got connected to Young Life the following year and went to camps and clubs. I am now a Young Life leader and program team coordinator for high school and middle school ministries.

As a recipient of the Developing Global Leaders scholarship, I am studying engineering and computer science at University Politecnica de Cataluna, in Barcelona, Spain. My major will focus on engineering in industrial electronics and automation. With my degree, I want to find a job that will help me support my future family while continuing to serve in Young Life.