Joe returned to Seminole in December of 2016. FBC Seminole is where he was saved, married, and surrendered to vocational ministry. He also started on the 1979 state championship basketball team. As someone familiar with the West Texas culture, he is thrilled to return to the place of his roots. His greatest thrill is the hope that a 10 year old boy or girl will tune in and turn on to Jesus just like he did. Joe was educated at Seminole High School, received a B.A. from Angelo State University, a MDIV with Biblical Languages at Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, and a Doctorate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His dissertation discussed the best ways of sharing the gospel in Western Culture by studying a missiologist named Lesslie Newbigin and the emerging church.
Joe loves anything Texas Tech especially as a suffering follower of athletics. He loves to read (come check out his library in his office) and watch movies. He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Thornhill, and way outpunted his coverage. They have three grown daughters: Pamela Ramirez, Kimberly Trotter, and Kristen Stewart. They also spoil three grandchildren: Joey Ramirez, Christopher “Topher” Ramirez, and Bryce “Bubba” Trotter.