Joseph Ivory was born in 1973 to Roman Catholic parents in Chicago, Illinois. His parents moved to Clinton, Iowa when he was three and were saved by the grace of God when he was twelve, and they subsequently left the Roman Church and began to attend an Evangelical Free Church. The third of five children, Joseph was brought under the saving grace of God at the age of twenty-two. He initially attended a Plymouth Brethren church, but was brought under Reformed convictions at the age of 27 and began attending Hope Evangelical Church (PCA), North Liberty, IA. During college and graduate school he was active in open-air evangelism and apologetics, as well as campus outreach and teaching Sunday School. He now serves as a Ruling Elder at Providence Presbyterian Church (PCA), Fayetteville, NC. He was originally licensed to preach in the Iowa Presbytery, but has since transferred his credentials to the Central Carolina Presbytery.