New Presbyterian Representative to the United Nations

Joel Hanisek

The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program welcomes Joel Hanisek as a new staff member serving as the Presbyterian Representative to the United Nations. The Presbyterian UN Office (PUNO) bears witness to Jesus Christ by advocating concerns of PC(USA) General Assemblies to the UN. Joel's responsibilities include helping equip Presbyterians for discipleship in the global arena through making connections with the UN community.

Sara Lisherness, Associate Director of the Presbyterian Peacemaking notes, "Joel's gifts and vision for ministry at the UN became evident throughout the interview process. He is clearly called to this position. Joel is exceptionally well suited to help the Presbyterian Church take advantage of the opportunities emerging for religious nongovernmental organizations at the UN."

A graduate of Yale Divinity School and Davidson College, Joel has a deep commitment to peacemaking and to the ministry of the faith community at the UN. He has served as the Young Adult Intern for educational and advocacy initiatives at PUNO. He also served on the UN Israel-Palestine Working Group-a coalition of humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. He recently completed an internship at First Presbyterian Church of New Haven, Connecticut.

Joel has studied in Syria and Ireland. He participated in a five-month course on cooperation between governments, the UN, and nongovernmental organizations in the sectors of dispute resolution, mediation, negotiation, humanitarian aid, and peace building capacity in the Middle East held in Amman, Jordan and at UN offices in Geneva.

Joel looks forward to "making PUNO an inviting, challenging, and productive place for Presbyterians to explore the pressing international issues of our world in faith, hope, and love." He states, "I am both grateful and excited for the opportunity to serve the church in this position. I look forward to working hard to explore the ways that the UN Office can become an even more integral part of the Peacemaking Program's call to nurture and equip our congregations for the work of peacemaking in the name of Jesus Christ."

Joel begins his ministry on September 5.

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