About VFV:
Throughout the course of our lives, we will all experience both highlights and valleys. In the valleys– whether a season of waiting, suffering, or uncertainty– we may be left feeling stuck. What if instead of feeling stagnant, we could have a vision for our valley? That in this valley and the valleys to come, we could find companions for the journey and clarity that could serve as a compass for the way forward.
This is the mission of Vision for the Valley. Through our podcast, Kingdom Collaborative; opportunities for meaningful times of connection with other like-minded leaders; and other resources, we hope to help you find your footing and take your next step. Whether you are in the midst of a valley now or you seek insights to prepare for a future valley, you can gain a vision for it that will provide meaning and purpose.
Founder of Vision for the Valley
Joe Velarde is a native of Atlanta, GA, and helped to start Riverbend Community Church in 2009 in Allentown, PA. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor there. Joe has been married 16 years to Amy and they have a 4-year-old son named Ray. He, along with the Riverbend team, has helped to start and walk alongside 6 new churches in the PA/NYC/NJ and Denmark through the Riverbend Church planting network, established in 2011. He has written blog pieces for Send Network and Exponential in addition to being featured as a contributor in two e-books. In addition to Vision for the Valley, he launched the Vision for the Valley Podcast in 2019. These exist to help people see the unique gift they have to offer and be unleashed to use it to serve the people of the Lehigh Valley and beyond. In 2020, Joe became the leader of Send Network PA/SJ, an organization that seeks to see new churches established through Pennsylvania and South Jersey, leaders encouraged and equipped, and meaningful partnerships created.
Meet Joseph Velarde
What we do:
Networking
Coaching and Consulting
Speaking, Writing, and Preaching
Partnership Development
Entrepreneurship Training
Vision for the Valley Values:
1. To encourage the encouragers.
Leaders often carry a heavy load and don't have safe places where others can help carry this load of leadership. We want to be able to speak life into the heart of the leader.
2. To help people learn how to process pain.
Life is full of pain, but what do we do with it? If we don't process it, it will process us. Pain, when it is processed, can lead to purpose for us and others.
3. To promote a leadership development culture.
Leaders aren't found, they are developed. We want to help you discover who they are, what they will do, and how you can help them become who they are intended to be.
4. To integrate life and leadership as modeled by Jesus.
Often times, we disconnect these two areas, but Jesus wants us to experience His ways in all areas of our lives.
5. To give clarity to creative callings.
We want to help you to be the best version of yourself. Not anybody else. Success is defined as discovering who you are, what you are created for and living that out.
6. To seek out Kingdom collaboration.
We are better together and aren't meant to do it alone. We do our best work with others. Instead of seeing others as competition, we want to celebrate and collaborate with others.
7. To examine the vitals of healthy living
It's said that as the leader gets better everyone gets better. We want to help you live an integrated life as a leader. When you are approaching your health in a holistic way, it helps you to lead at your best.