Joel currently serves as a lifetime deacon and head of the Helping Hands ministry. Joel has been married for 54 years to wife Ellie.  The Peney’s lived in Florida for thirty years before moving to Blairsville Georgia in 2008.   Joel and Ellie have been members of Fellowship of the Hills for over 10 years.

Joel retired from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department in 2000 where he was in management.

Joel and Ellie have one son and daughter in-law Kristy and two grandchildren.