Joel & Pam Tooley - Our Ministry Journey

10/31/2025

Can you help me?

🩵 Mosaic Compassion: Standing Together in Uncertain Times 🩵

As food benefits are being reduced for families across our community, many of our neighbors are suddenly facing impossible choices — between groceries, rent, or clothing for their children.

At Mosaic Compassion, we’re focused on standing in that gap:
🧒 Providing clothing for vulnerable children
🍎 Helping families put food on the table
🤝 Supporting immigrants with access to trusted legal resources
💙 Ensuring that elderly neighbors are cared for and not forgotten

We’re setting a goal to raise $10,000 in the next two weeks so that no one in our community is left behind.

If you are able, please give today — every dollar makes a difference.
👉 Here are the links to donate online:

Zelle: RefugioMosaic (352.460.2097)
[No fees are collected by Zelle - some banks may vary]

Venmo:
(Venmo.com/MosaicCompassion)
[Venmo collects a 1.9% + $0.10 fee per transaction]

PayPal:
(PayPal.Me/MosaicCompassion)
[PayPal collects a 1.99% + $0.49 fee per transaction]

Together, we can remind our community what compassion looks like in action.


Mosaic Compassion is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the State of Florida, EIN: 59-2911684. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

11/02/2024

With the advocacy work I’m engaged in through the National Immigration Forum, we have a new pilot program called “Students of Welcome“ that is empowering immigration advocacy at four strategic universities across the United States. As God would have it, one of those universities is Trevecca!

After arriving last night, I was able to meet up with Annikah and Ethan, Esteban Páez and Kara Kennard.

Because of the homecoming weekend celebration at Trevecca, Dale and Steph Schaeffer provided a special meal for all the Florida District students — with PLENTY of extras. As it happened, the Spanish-speaking international students we’re having a discipleship time in the next room so a quick invitation to them led to the Florida District being able to provide dinner for 15-20 international students from Ecuador 🇪🇨 , Georgia 🇬🇪, Argentina 🇦🇷, and Honduras 🇭🇳!

It was great seeing two more Florida District members of Trevecca’s Board of Trustees, Cassandra Trotman and Brad Fink — we were able to introduce them to Esteban, our PK from Ecuador who is a recipient of the FL District Board of Trustees scholarship and a new STEM scholarship for international students. Esteban’s family is Loki’s host family in Ecuador where they not only pastor the Iglesia Del Nazareno Pucará but direct a Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Center, Ipem Riobamba that provides English and Music classes for children and youth.

10/06/2024

I wish you could hear my mom say, “The generator is keeping our lights on, our refrigerator, cold, and our water heater going — it’s even running our little window air conditioner!”

Thank you to Kyle and Julie Poole and Pastor Jimmy Wright for helping get power to a little retired ministry couple!

Hopefully the electric company will be able to reach their community soon to restore their power. When they remove the tree from the house, then we will know what other damage is beneath that.

There are still so many people who are suffering so many losses — thank you for helping take care of Jim and Dee Tooley!

https://gofund.me/d90d0482

10/06/2024

Rudy Prescod scared the BAJEEBIES out of one of the times he was at my house.

The Global Council for Nazarene Youth International had come to El Paso, Texas where we were serving as missionaries on the border of Mexico, at the time, and one evening came to our house for dessert. Right before they were getting ready to head back to the Nazarene Border Initiative Center, Gary Hartke led us in a time of prayer. Each person, praying in the language of their home country, went around the room in no particular order — they were a lot of people, and some of the prayers were spoken softly; because of the long day, everyone was a little bit sleepy as the prayers went on. There was a quiet pause after someone finished their prayer and I remember feeling like I might doze off to sleep.

BUT THEN! What sounded like the voice of God, booming across the entirety of the planet came from my wonderful Caribbean friend, who was sitting on the floor right behind where I was sitting on the couch.

“OH, LORD! OUR PRECIOUS HEAVENLY FATHER!” Rudy thundered. I je**ed awake — thinking it was the sound of the trumpets announcing the return of Christ; his booming voice had the same effect on several other people because I remember seeing the eyeballs of people who look like they had just been startled awake, as well! 😳😳😳😂😂😂

Rudy was a man of prayer - he lifted the needs of my family over and over again. We depended on the powerful prayers of Rudy.

Yesterday, his life hear ended abruptly — and all of our hearts are grieving his absence.

Who will take his place in becoming a person of prayer?

08/31/2024

"We really need to walk more." - this is a common phrase you'll hear around our house. After investing one month in the UK this summer, we walked and walked and walked - and really loved it (most of the time)! Then, returning to Florida's sauna-like August, the inspiration to walk outside has come to a screeching halt.

Until we saw this great incentive! Pam and I have formed a team to enter a walking challenge during the month of September (the entry fee is $35 as a fundraiser for the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights. The goal is to collectively walk the equivalent distance of what many children have walked -- 1500 miles from Guatemala to the border of the USA.

The Young Center is a champion for the best interests of children who arrive in the United States on their own, from all corners of the world. The Young Center serves as trusted allies for these children while they are in deportation proceedings, advocating for their best interests, and standing for the creation of a dedicated children’s immigrant justice system that ensures the safety and well-being of every child.

Sure, you could walk for free - but would you consider joining our team (named "Mosaic Compassion")?

The Waymakers Virtual Mileage Challenge is on Sunday September 1, 2024 to Monday September 30, 2024.

07/22/2024

Paulina has been a super companion with Pam and me over the past few weeks. Our literal plan for this time of sabbatical included:
1) Travel to London (we knew how we were going to do that and had a plan)
2) Travel to Manchester (we knew how we were going to do that...but didn't have a plan)
3) Unplug from the day-to-day of pastoral ministry

That's it.

We had no plans (we had no money) to travel or do exotic touristy things...however, we've been able to do some AMAZING things already thanks to the generous hospitality of really wonderful friends and Nazarenes, here in Great Britain.

Pam's a fantastic, frugal traveler and can find the most efficient way to get from point A to point B with precision. Paulina's figured out how to navigate planes, trains, buses, and a LOT of walking. She can calculate the exchange rate of the British Pound to the US Dollar pretty quickly (especially when there's a tube of bougie lotion or some spicy Doritos at stake)...and of course, I'm here to take the pictures of every moment!

With less than 10 days left here, we were going to try to sneak in a quick trip over to the Emerald Isle, but the budget just isn't going to cooperate...which means, we'll just have to return again (and again).

For those who have been joining us from a distance on this journey, will you be in prayer for us as we rest and as we experience fresh expressions of grace from God?

07/08/2024

We’ve been given a wonderful gift of sabbatical from our congregation, July 3 to mid-August. For a few weeks, we will be staying as guests at the Nazarene Theological College in beautiful Manchester, England with our youngest daughter, Paulina.

06/12/2024

As politicians lob fear tactics at us, it's important to step back and size up reality. With current advocacy tools and research from the National Immigration Forum, I was able to articulate clearly about this for the Orlando Sentinel this past week. Check it out!

The situation at the Mexican border is a crisis of human suffering and is due to the inaction of our elected officials, writes a local pastor who once resided in Texas near the situation.

05/13/2024

Our daughter Annikah sent me a text yesterday: "Susanna has cancer."

It hit me like a brick.

It was just about 5-6 months ago when I heard the "C" word being spoken to me as a sat with Pam in the doctor's office. But, Susanna's a teenager finishing her last year of high school.

Annikah asked me, "What should I say...or rather what should I NOT say?"

I responded, "The best thing to do for a close friend is to call them - a text is ok, but a phone call is life-giving. Then say, 'Hey, friend! I just heard your news — and I want you to know how much I care. Do you want to tell me about it?'"

You can even ask them if they've set up a GoFundMe (we had NOOOOO idea just how much we would depend on this)!

Friends (and even those who we've never met)...this fund has saved us from SO much!

Just the other day, my wife Pam came and said, "Well - the good news is, I think we've been able to pay all the medical bills so far; the bad news is that the GoFundMe funds are gone."

That's why I come back to say thank you, once more. If you're able to share this with friends who love to be generous, we could never thank you enough.

As I was experiencing some discomfort (pain) in my bones the other day, I was almost ready to complain to God - at just that moment, our (very large) Great Dane, Albus walked up to me and stuck his nose in my face. He's very intuitive and empathetic...if something's not right, he knows and he wants you to know he's with you - he'll stick by your side. So, I said, "Albus...these bones are hurting and I don't want to have cancer anymore." He just stared at me and stuck with me.

So, instead of heading down a road of complaining to God, I offered words of gratitude for the life I have and the treatment that's saving my life...and for Albus...and for you.

Thank you.


https://www.gofundme.com/f/HelpJoelsLeukemiaJourney

05/13/2024

Do you have a teenager who's exploring the possibility of ministry?

OR

Do you have a teenager who loves to get involved with serving and compassionate ministry?

There's an event taking place in Nashville, Tennessee this summer that's a little mix of youth camp with learning and serving...and it's going to be FANTASTIC!

This is the last week to register...so check it out!

(As a bonus: Pam and I get to help serve at this event!)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-becoming-conference-tickets-695411142447?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0PY4UrLBY6VMfdpVA0r2RZzOpXMM7rwIqyXv4NMiPtDXMyDedd91RKRCo_aem_AYKbFRitJYqjjuZksMKddx-Drrc3Sp5_E3XGE2dckQ8lasCa8Cnkwv68MswNQgM9ZKV7EFJfn23UD0H_Zsafne6J

A four-day residential experience that combines vocational training with worship, biblical instruction, service learning and fun!

05/06/2024

Every Sunday, at Melbourne First Church of the Nazarene when we are invited to the Table of the Lord to participate in Eucharist, our pastors invite with questions like, "Who amongst us is hungry for wholeness? Who amongst us is thirsty for grace? Who amongst us feels unworthy? COME! Come to the Table prepared for us."

Yesterday, I spontaneously asked some friends who just recently became a part of our community to help serve. After the initial shock of being put on the spot, they came - one of our pastors guided them through the basics of serving (to calm their nerves). As people approached the Table (we serve by intinction; those serving break the bread, dip it in the cup and place it in the hands of those receiving), the man began to weep. As I went to assist him, he said something like, "I feel SO unworthy of this...yet He keeps telling me that I AM worthy!"

It reminded me of the quote that Pastor Bruce Barnard shared from Rachel Held Evans:

"the gospel doesn’t need a coalition devoted to keeping the wrong people out. It needs a family of sinners, saved by grace, committed to tearing down the walls, throwing open the doors, and shouting, “Welcome! There’s bread and wine. Come eat with us & talk.” This isn’t a kingdom for the worthy; it’s a kingdom for the hungry.”

During our worship gathering, yesterday, the Holy Spirit of God was so beautifully present in every element of this VERY Holy Communion.

Are YOU hungry for wholeness? Are you thirsty for grace? You don't need to come to our church building - let's get together; let's talk.