Joe Grana is a native of Waukegan, Illinois and graduated from high school there in 1966. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in Christian Ministries from Lincoln Christian College in 1970, his Master of Divinity in New Testament from Lincoln Christian Seminary in 1973, and the Doctor of Ministry Degree at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in 1978. He then earned a Master of Arts from Pacific Christian College in 1988. In 2001 Joe earned a M.A. in Pastoral Counseling from Lincoln Christian Seminary.

While attending Lincoln Christian College, he served as youth minister for more than two years at the Hickory Street Christian Church, Centralia, Illinois. He began his ministry at First Christian Church, Martinsville, Illinois following graduation from Lincoln Christian College in 1970 and served there until 1975. Joe served Central Christian Church of Beloit, Wisconsin from 1975 to 1981. For almost ten years, he was Senior Minister of the First Christian Church of Downey, California (1981-1991).

His wife Linda (Clifton) Grana, is from Boswell, Indiana and graduated from Lincoln Christian College with a B.A. in Christian Education and Music. She also earned a M.Ed. from Hope International University. Following graduation from Lincoln Christian College, she worked as secretary to the Registrar. She has been Director of Music at the Downey First Christian Church, La Habra Christian Church, and Southwest Christian Church of Temecula. Presently she is a First Grade Teacher.

The Grana’s have been married since 1969. They have four children: Jolynne (32), Joey (28), and Julia (24); and an adopted daughter: Keenan (14); sons-in-law Joey Aszterbaum and Ian DiOrio; grandson Kyler Anthony, granddaughter Josie Love, grandson Ethan Elliot, and granddaughter Ellison Mae.

Presently, Joe is in his 19th year at Pacific Christian College. He is chairman of the Church Ministry Department and teaches Preaching, Bible, and Leadership. From February 1, 1991 to December 31, 1998, Joe was the Associate Director of the Southern California Evangelical Association. He has worked not only with new churches, but trying to revitalize struggling churches, particularly by utilizing Pacific Christian College students. Joe served as Founding Senior Pastor of Southwest Christian Church from November, 1993 until July, 1997. He has also been interim pastor at churches in Long Beach, Anaheim, Spring Valley, Lawndale, Downey, and San Juan Capistrano. During his Fall 2005 sabbatical, Joe has served on staff at Lifebridge Christian Church, Longmont, CO.

Books
Shepherding in the Local Church
Sports in the Bible
Sample Sermon (Outlines)
Preaching Through Tears (co-editor with John Webb)
What God Thinks of Kids

* Some of these books may be purchased at the Hope International University bookstore.