Joe Bankard

My position and main responsibilities at LEAP are… 

As the YIGBY (Yes in God's Backyard) program coordinator, my work is focused on churches interested in partnering with LEAP to help create affordable housing. Many churches own underused land, but are unsure how best to use it.  A large part of my work is helping churches discern if affordable housing might be a faithful use of their land.  The hope is to create a partnership with churches in order to develop and support affordable housing.  

In addition to working with LEAP, I am a philosophy professor at Northwest Nazarene University.  I also served as pastor at Collister UMC from 2016-2023.  

When I’m not working I am…

I love snow skiing, golfing and watching professional sports.  

I’m in nonprofit work, and specifically inspired by LEAP, because…? 

The church I pastored (Collister UMC) partnered with LEAP to build two units of affordable housing on church land.  The project was a smashing success and LEAP was great to work with.  Seeing the transformative power stable housing had on two families was wonderful to experience.  I want other churches to experience this as well. 

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joe@leaphousing.org