The inspiration behind the feature-length film: "Unconditional"
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Nashville, TN, US
Papa Joe Bradford
BiographyOne morning when Joe and his wife Denise moved into one of Nashville's inner-city communities, they found their neighbor, a little deaf girl, staring through the window of their front door. Denise gave her candy and the girl left, only to return with her brothers and sisters. Denise gave them all candy as well. In a week's time, about fifty children came to Joe and Denise's door. But it wasn't just candy that the children wanted. They needed help in other ways. In whatever way they could, Joe and Denise began to help these children with basic necessities, as well as with schoolwork and emotional needs. With a background in musical performance and orchestration, Joe and Denise formed a choir of inner-city children, children from their own neighborhood, and others. It was at one of these choir rehearsals that they came to understand their life's purpose. A young girl with a swollen eye came late to a rehearsal and approached Joe. She had been hit by her angry, drug-addicted mother and was frightened and in pain. Joe comforted her and prayed for her. When the little girl's sister saw this, she came up to Joe and asked the question: Will you be my daddy? Before Joe could answer, another little girl walked up and asked the same question: This continued as child after child surrounded Joe asking him the same question. Deeply moved, Joe embraced them all. That day he became "Papa Joe," and he and Denise dedicated their lives to helping children in need. In 2005, Papa Joe and Denise founded Elijah's Heart, a non-profit organization, whose mission is to show love and bring aid to underprivileged children and their families. Today, they are actively uniting with others throughout the country to raise awareness about desperate situations in our own nation and to inspire a great movement of love in action. Along with his role as executive director of Elijah's Heart, co-producer of Unconditional, and author of Love or War? Choose Love, Papa Joe is an inspired teacher and loves the Word of God. Reflecting the passion and wisdom of the Lord, Papa Joe is an inspirational speaker, gifted to motivate others to fulfill their unique God-given callings. Being led by the heart and love of the Father, Papa Joe seeks to inspire people to realize and passionately grasp hold of their giftings and purpose so they too can begin to take bold steps down their very own walk of love.
Papa Joe Bradford
Featured VideosCurrent: Lipscomb University
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Papa Joe Bradford
Featured Keynote ProgramSpeech Topics:
Speech Topics:
Papa Joe takes a very customized approach whenever he speaks at an event. Considering the nature of the event, he forms a topical focus that is highly tailored to his audience. Papa Joe's discussions can be geared toward people of all ages, including children, women's groups, the imprisoned, singles, married couples, churches, organizations and leaders. Weaving together a broad array of life experience and the Word of God, Papa Joe delivers an entertaining, poignant, singular experience to whoever his audience may be.
Main topics that Papa Joe can incorporate into his messages:
Papa Joe's Life Story:
Either as the inspiration for the feature-length film, Unconditional (national release date: September 21, 2012), or in the pages of his autobiography, A Walk of Love, Papa Joe’s life story has been recognized as wildly compelling, inspirational and as unique as it is broadly applicable.
Advocate for at-risk children, the poor and the oppressed:
Having lived through great poverty, fatherlessness, and facing extreme hardships, from imprisonment to a deadly kidney disease, Joe grew a compassionate heart for at-risk children, the poor and the oppressed. In 2005, Papa Joe and his wife, Denise, founded Elijah’s Heart, a non-profit organization, whose mission is to show love and bring aid to underprivileged children and their families. Today, they are actively uniting with others throughout the country to raise awareness about desperate situations in our own nation and to inspire a worldwide movement of love in action.
Parenthood (Biological and Surrogate):
Papa Joe is highly recognized for encouraging parenthood. He and Denise are joyful parents of seven children. As seen through the heart of Unconditional, Papa Joe is also becoming one of our country’s most passionate spokesmen on sharing love as a surrogate parent for the many fatherless children in our nation. Papa Joe’s innermost desire is affirming and exposing the love of the eternal Father through parenthood, which encourages acceptance and purpose in children and adults alike.
Author:
The process of retelling his incredible story for his autobiography, A Walk of Love, was a journey in and of itself. Papa Joe speaks on the challenging but fulfilling process and reveals much more for those hungry to learn about the unique and mysterious ways God has moved throughout his life and his marriage with his lovely wife.
Co-producer of Unconditional:
Not only serving as the inspiration behind Unconditional but as a co-producer, Joe was involved in the intricate process of adapting his life story for the big screen. He has been traveling around the nation as an ambassador of the theme of love in action depicted in the film.
Biblical Teacher on Love:
Papa Joe is an inspired teacher of the Word of God. Reflecting the passion and wisdom of the Lord, Joe is an inspirational speaker, gifted to motivate others to fulfill their unique God-given callings. Being led by the heart and love of the Father, Papa Joe seeks to inspire people to realize and passionately grasp hold of their giftings and purpose...so they too can begin to take bold steps down their very own walk of love.
Papa Joe Bradford
Featured ReviewsIn the 19 years we have been bringing in speakers for our event I would have to say that Papa Joe ranks near the top. We've heard nothing but positive comments from many of the crowd that attended. Papa Joe will hold a special place in our memories.
Jim Voss
Branch County Men of Integrity
It exceeded out expectations. We were really pleased with the turnout and I hope that Papa Joe enjoyed his visit with us at least as much as we did.
Jonathan Curelar
Open Heaven Ministries
In the nineteen years we have been bringing in outside speakers for our event I would have to say that Papa Joe ranks near the top. We’ve heard nothing but positive comments from many of the sell out crowd who attended. Papa Joe will hold a special place in our memories of the Steak Out in years to come. Thank you for facilitating his appearance!
Jim Voss
Branch County Men of Integrity
Papa Joe speaking to our students was a landmark moment. He was dynamic and engaging, bringing a smile to every face, and inspiration to every heart. Students normally disinterested by school planned events were fighting over the mic to ask him questions.
Daniel Jackson
Lancaster Christian Academy
Papa Joe is not just traveling around speaking about his life or his movie but he lives it by being a walking testimony of the unconditional love of our heavenly Father. Thank you, Papa Joe, for blessing us with your testimony.
Stephanie Curtis
Under His Wings, Inc.
I would not hesitate to recommend him to speak to any group of students. Whether they are at risk or not, every student (and adult!) can be inspired by Joe's message of redemptive, unconditional love.
LaVoe Mulgrew - Head of School
LEAD Academy
Papa Joe Bradford was invited to speak to our community. What was most impressive to me was the passion and love that exudes from Papa Joe. He embraces and shares the way that God has worked in his life and inspires others to love in the same way he does
Brandon Albright, Director of Spiritual Life
Franklin Road Academy
It is on few occasions that I meet people who are as humble as Papa Joe Bradford. He is professional yet warm, witty yet wise. His ear to hear and share the deepest need was evident as he engaged the crowd by delivering a heartfelt message. We can’t say enough to reflect his passion and our feelings about him. Amazing.
Rebecca Monrean
Wayside Cross Ministries
Papa Joe Bradford
Featured Articles & ResourcesPapa Joe | A Walk of Love
Images via World Class MagazineSome people would give up, but Papa Joe chose to stand and inspire the world. His is a touching story that can be summed up in four words:...
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