11/22/2023
It is with both a heavy and glad heart to see our friend, pastor, counselor, father, and husband be called home to heaven. Dr. Joe Wiles went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, November 21st.
Our hearts are heavy because we say an earthly good-bye to a giant in ministry. Dr. Joe and Anna Lee came to Putnam County in 1978. And in 1979, Dr. Joe surrendered his life to the call of ministry. He has served in ministry in this area as Associate Pastor, Lead Pastor, Baptist Student Union/Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director, Director Of Missions, Seminary Extension Dean as well as multiple volunteer and leadership roles in community and county life. He served in Stone Association, Poplar Grove Baptist Church, Silver Point Baptist Church, and University Heights Baptist Church just to name a few. Dr. Joe has been instrumental in discipling and mentoring over 500 (known) people who have followed the call into ministry and has been an integral part of planting churches here and abroad.
Our hearts our glad because we know Dr. Joe is with his Savior today! The testimony of his life, and the preaching from his lips, leaves no one with any conclusion other than the Gospel is the most important message in a person's life. We are glad that he is now living in the hope that we who are here and remain have yet to know. While we live in certain assurance of our eternity, Dr. Joe is now experiencing that hope.
We will miss Dr. Joe, but he has left us a legacy to carry forward. May we honor his life and ministry with the same tenacity as our dear friend...and to God be the Glory!