About the Founders

Joel & Laci founded Glad World in 2013, at the same time they moved to Asia. They are sent by Bethel Missions, a ministry of Bethel Church in Redding, California with the mandate of revival; the personal, regional, and global expansion of God’s Kingdom through His manifest presence. They travel regularly throughout Asia to raise up indigenous followers of Jesus as joyful catalysts of revival in their own communities. In the midst of this, the Holy Spirit is moving in miraculous power amongst the unreached and those affected by poverty and violence. Over the years, their ministry has evolved to also provide humanitarian relief for the poor and those displaced by armed conflict, leadership development for local leaders, a prayer and worship community in Phuket, Thailand, as well as a Thai foundation with the purpose of serving children who may be at risk of poverty and exploitation. They emphasize the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus and believe that complete societal transformation comes from the realities and simple truths found in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. God has demonstrated His faithfulness as the blind see, the lame walk, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor!