Joe Consford Author Biography | Missionary, Storyteller, and Author

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Joe Consford Author Biography: Missionary, Storyteller, and Author

When someone asks, “Who is Joe Consford?” the answer usually depends on who you ask. To some, he’s the missionary who once dodged bandits on a Ghanaian road. To others, he’s the coffee shop guy who served them a latte with a smile in San Augustine, Texas. And to many, he’s now the author of That’s My Goat – And Other Missionary Stories.

This is the official Joe Consford Author Biography — a story that weaves together faith, family, adventure, and a healthy dose of humor. It’s a life lived across two continents, filled with close calls, unexpected blessings, and plenty of material for books, blogs, and bedtime stories.

Early Roots in East Texas

Joe’s roots go deep into the red dirt of East Texas. Growing up with a love for people and a calling for ministry, his life was shaped early by faith and family. Long before he became an author, Joe was learning lessons about hard work, perseverance, and community that would later prove essential in the mission field.

Texas was home base, but it wasn’t the end of the story. The call to missions soon opened a new chapter that would carry Joe and his family across the ocean to Ivory Coast and Ghana, West Africa.

From Texas to Africa

When Joe and Laura first packed their bags and took their young family to Africa in 2001, they knew the adventure ahead would be unlike anything they had ever experienced. What they didn’t know was just how many unforgettable stories would come from those years.

There were language barriers to climb, cultural bridges to build, and unexpected dangers lurking in everyday life. From facing poisonous snakes to surviving medical emergencies, every day seemed to bring a new challenge. But through it all, the Consfords discovered joy in sharing the gospel, planting churches, and training national pastors.

Joe quickly learned that ministry in Africa is about more than sermons — it’s about life. And life in West Africa always has a story worth telling.

A Return to Texas (and Coffee Beans)

After over a decade in Africa, the Consford family returned to Texas. The mission field had shaped their lives, but God wasn’t finished writing their story yet. Back home in San Augustine, Joe opened Hardware on the Square, a local hardware store that eventually transformed into a community hub known as HOTS Coffee.

The store wasn’t just about screws and hammers — it became a place where people could grab a cup of coffee, swap stories, and feel like family. Joe’s natural gift for storytelling found a home there, too, as customers lingered for conversation along with their cappuccinos.

The Storyteller Emerges

The idea of turning real-life missionary experiences into a book started long before the first page was written. About ten years ago, Joe was invited to share stories at a youth football camp. The reaction was immediate: the campers laughed, gasped, and sat on the edge of their seats. One story led to another, and by the end of the week, it was clear these adventures weren’t meant to stay tucked away.

A longtime friend, Mike Hall, nudged Joe to put the stories into writing. That encouragement became the spark that eventually led to the release of That’s My Goat – And Other Missionary Stories in 2025.

That’s My Goat – The Book

The title itself hints at the mixture of humor and heart you’ll find in Joe’s stories. That’s My Goat is not a dry missionary journal. Instead, it’s a collection of true tales filled with suspense, laughter, cultural surprises, and miraculous moments that point back to God’s faithfulness.

From dodging mobs in Ivory Coast to witnessing a green mamba snake strike, Joe’s stories remind readers that missionary life is never boring. In fact, some chapters read more like adventure novels — except they really happened.

Readers have called the book inspiring, entertaining, and even a little hair-raising. It’s the kind of book you start reading for the laughs but finish with a deeper appreciation for faith lived out in hard places.

Family and Ministry Today

Joe’s wife, Laura, has been by his side since the beginning, serving as a partner in ministry and, more recently, as vice principal at their Christian school in Center, Texas. Their children — Gilbert, Danny, and Bonnie — have grown up living the unique mix of Texas small-town life and African village adventures.

Today, the Consfords are preparing to return to Ghana to continue their mission: planting churches, training national pastors, and reaching people with the gospel. Their sending church, Central Baptist Church, stands behind them as they step into this new season of ministry.

Life Beyond Writing and Missions

So what does Joe do when he’s not preaching, teaching, or writing? You might find him roasting fresh coffee beans at HOTS Coffee, sneaking away for a weekend at Bland Lake Hideaway, or planning the next big road trip across Texas to present their mission at a new church.

No matter the setting, one thing is constant: Joe is always collecting new stories. And chances are, those stories will eventually make their way into another book.

Why This Author Biography Matters

The internet is full of names, titles, and half-finished bios. But a full Joe Consford Author Biography helps both readers and search engines know who he really is:

  • A missionary with decades of experience in West Africa.
  • A storyteller whose true-life adventures captivate audiences.
  • An author whose first book blends humor, faith, and real-life suspense.
  • A Texan who believes coffee and conversation go hand in hand.

For readers, this biography is an open invitation to connect. For Google and AI search engines, it’s a signal: Joe Consford isn’t just another name. He’s a public figure with a story worth sharing.

Connect with Joe Consford

If you’ve made it this far, you probably want to stay connected. Here’s how:

Because the truth is — the stories aren’t stopping. Whether it’s a goat in the road, a miracle in a hospital, or a child teaching a lesson in faith, Joe Consford will keep writing, keep telling, and keep pointing people to the God who writes the greatest story of all.

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