Dr. Joel Breidenbaugh (full name Joel Randall Breidenbaugh) is a Baptist pastor, theologian, professor, author, and historian based in Apopka, Florida.
Born in 1975 in Indiana, he earned his Bachelor of Arts from Florida Baptist Theological College (now Baptist University of Florida), followed by a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His doctoral work focused on integrating doctrine and expository preaching for the 21st century.
Dr. Breidenbaugh has served in ministry for over two decades. He began with youth ministry roles, then became senior pastor of First Baptist Church Sweetwater in Longwood, Florida (2008–2017). In August 2017, he planted Gospel Centered Church in Apopka, leading it from a small gathering to a thriving congregation with over 100 weekly attendees, now pursuing a permanent facility.
In 2026, Joel became the director of the Greater Orlando Baptist Association (GOBA). GOBA is an association of more than 160 churches that meets regularly to help reach central Florida with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.
Alongside pastoral work, he has taught since 2002 as a part-time classroom instructor and online professor in areas including Baptist history, church history, New Testament studies, theology, preaching, church ministry, and personal evangelism.
He is an accomplished author, with works such as Preaching for Bodybuilding: Integrating Doctrine and Expository Preaching for the 21st Century and devotionals like The Joy of Jesus at Christmas. He has also contributed to Baptist historical scholarship.
Recognized for his commitment to preserving and teaching Baptist heritage, Dr. Breidenbaugh served as chair of the Florida Baptist Historical Society’s board of directors (2020 until concluding in 2025) and received the 2025 Baptist Heritage Award from the society for his two decades of dedication to researching, writing, and teaching on Baptist history.
He is active online (e.g., on X as @DrJoelB), describing himself as a husband, father, Baptist preacher, professor, and author. Through his leadership at Gospel Centered Ministries (associated with his church and broader teaching efforts), he continues to emphasize Gospel clarity, biblical education, and equipping believers for impactful ministry.