Alumni Spotlight: Rev. Dr. Joe MacLaren

Rev. Dr. MacLaren grew up in a Christian family, but during his teen years, he did not attend church except for on Christmas and Easter. Around age twenty-eight, Joe became involved in a loving community where he began encountering the truth of God’s word through Bible study and teaching, and he gave his life to Christ.  He began to be more involved in church, teaching adult Sunday School and on Wednesday nights. Rev. Dr. MacLaren was diagnosed with cancer and went through surgery and radiation. During that time, he “gave God a blank check.” He told God, “If I live, I will do whatever you want me to; if I die, I will be with you.” A month later, Joe had some spiritual dreams and knew that God wanted him to be a minister of the gospel.

A speaker at his church had recommended Asbury Theological Seminary, and so Rev. Dr. MacLaren checked it out even though his District Superintendent warned that Asbury would harm him politically. Joe’s response was, “I’m not going into this for politics!” Rev. Dr. MacLaren thoroughly enjoyed and continues to value his time of learning and ministry preparation at Asbury. Rev. Dr. MacLaren participated in the Beeson Doctoral in Residence program and is grateful for the courses on church growth through which he was able to grow as a leader in ministry.

Rev. Dr. MacLaren has ministered at several United Methodist congregations in Florida including First UMC St. Petersburg, Community UMC in Fruitland Park, Aloma UMC in Orlando, and currently at University Carillon UMC in Oveido.  He is excited about all that God has been doing through the spiritual and numerical growth of University Carillon UMC since he was appointed there in 2001. They started two daughter churches, and they have established two new services one focusing on families and the other college students. His church has experienced incredible miracles, healing, and depth of spiritual formation. Currently living in Oviedo, Florida, Rev. Dr. MacLaren has a close relationship with Asbury’s Florida Dunnam Campus.  His congregation has raised over $160,000 for Asbury scholarships and sent many students who are called to ministry to Asbury. Over the last five years twenty-one people have been called into the ministry through his church; most are in their twenties.  He began a mission organization called, Celebrate Jesus, in order to help local churches reach their community through kindness and evangelism. Over three hundred local churches have done week long Celebrate Jesus missions.

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