Spiritually-based
Capital Stewardship Campaigns
& Planning Services
Our Mission
Our Mission is Helping Your Christian Ministry to Grow.
Our Vision
Our scripturally based fund-raising methods work within your Christian tradition to grow your space, grow your giving, and grow your membership.
Joe Purka
Southeast Team Leader
Joe Purka brings a unique blend of fund-raising and public relations experience that helps churches formulate a compelling vision, effectively communicate that vision and help Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran churches achieve their financial goals.
Joe joined Kirby-Smith Associates following more than 30 years in government, agency and non-profit public relations and seven years in non-profit and university fund raising. A retired Air Force colonel, he holds a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University, New York and a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. His communications skills have garnered top awards from the Public Relations Society of America, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and the International Association of Business Communicators.
Among his hobbies are travel, reading, American and world history and political science, and spending time with his wife, two children and five grandchildren.
He has served as president and chairman for the Air Force Public Relations Association and the Emerald Coast Public Relations Foundation. A past Grand Knight for his parish’s Knights of Columbus Council, he currently serves as District Deputy for the Florida State Knights of Columbus.
Welcome to the Kirby-Smith Southeast Team
We are committed to partnering with you to help grow your church. Whether you are:
- expanding or renovating your building,
- seeking new money to fund new ministry initiatives, or
- helping your congregation reach out to visitors,
Kirby-Smith Associates has a proven success record and can design a process to help you attain your goals.
We have extensive experience with Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran traditions.
Our services can help unite your parish or congregation around a solid vision for ministry which will result in increased participation, offerings and capital funds.
In a changing climate of giving, we can make the difference.
“You and your staff have provided personal, professional, Christian leadership and partnership at a critical crossroad in a congregation’s ministry. We had the opportunity to imagine our future with less debt and more funds to do the Lord’s work.”
– Pastor John Kassouf, Risen Christ Lutheran Church, Myrtle Beach, SC
“I found Joe to be very accommodating and flexible in his approach to me and our parish. He had great suggestions, but I never felt pressured to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with, or anything that would be inappropriate for our particular parish.”
– Fr. Michael E. Williams, The Parish Community of St. Leo, Murray, KY
“You operate with a very high degree of professionalism. This is further enhanced by your deep belief that “raising money” can indeed be a valid form of Christian Ministry. The attitude of your campaign director and the real Christian attitude of your home visitors are among your most valuable assets.”
– Msgr. Richard P. LaRocque, Church of Christ the King, Old Lyme, CT
“I was most grateful that he consistently gave us detailed coaching. That coaching came ahead of time, it was honest, easy to understand and repeated. Joe was very organized. When he spoke, he was concise, wise and clear. His advice was great!”
– Fr. Daniel J. Riley, Sacred Heart Church, Weymouth, MA