Joy Akwarandu – Founder & Visionary Leader

Joy Akwarandu is the founder of The Thriving Community. Her journey into ministry is rooted in a deep passion for understanding God’s Word and a desire to see lives transformed through its power. After several successful years as a Data Scientist in the corporate world, Joy felt a stirring in her heart to pursue a higher calling. This led her to leave her career and embark on graduate studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, drawn by the institution’s emphasis on teaching all 66 books of Scripture—a perfect match for her hunger to know God more intimately.

Initially, Joy planned to complete a Master of Education and return to corporate life, but God had other plans. Her studies ignited a deeper passion for spiritual transformation, and she transitioned to pursuing a doctorate in Spiritual Formation. Through her own experience of being nourished and transformed by Scripture, Joy realized she could not keep this gift to herself. She founded her ministry to support Christians who, like her, long for a deeper relationship with God and seek to integrate their faith into every aspect of their lives.

Joy’s mission is to help believers grow in Christlikeness, equipping them with sound biblical knowledge and fostering their spiritual formation. She envisions a vibrant community of individuals from diverse backgrounds united by their shared desire to thrive in their faith and live out God’s vision for their lives. Joy invites you to join this journey—if you are hungry for God’s Word and eager to grow in your walk with Christ, this ministry is for you. Together, let’s grow, thrive, and reflect Christ in all we do.