Joseph Earl Simmons was born in Kansas City, Kansas to Herbert and Jeanette Watson-Simmons where he was reared in a Christian family and an African-American Church environment. He is the fourth of six children. Converted at the age of 5 at Eighth Street Baptist Church, he accepted his call to the ministry at the age of 16 under the pastorate of the late Dr. I. H. Henderson, Sr. He was educated at F. L. Schlagle High School in Kansas City and after graduating, he attended Kansas State University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science (International Law) and with a Master's Degree in Public Administration.

Upon graduation from college, he worked for the Xerox Corporation where he held a variety of positions where he was awarded with several leadership, management, and performance awards. After working for the Xerox Corporation for 10-years, he answered the call to full-time ministry. With a mind set on Law and Ministry, he attended Howard University School of Law and The School of Theology, Virginia Union University of Richmond, Virginia, graduating with honors with a Master of Divinity Degree. He continued and completed a Doctorate of Ministry Degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio with concentration in Urban Economics. His dissertation was entitled "The Paradigm Shift and the African-American Community: A 21st Century Model for Restoring Broken Places and Rebuilding Communities through Partnership." In addition, he is also a successful graduate of several civic leadership programs such as Leadership 2000 of Kansas City, KS; the Centurions Leadership Development Program of Kansas City, MO., The Leadership Roundtable of Richmond, VA., and Leadership Oakland of Oakland, CA.

Dr. Simmons was consecrated by International Presiding Bishop, Paul S. Morton, Sr., and serves as the Bishop of Economic & Community Development for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, International.

Foremost, he is the Senior-Pastor of the Greater St. Paul Church of Oakland, California. Pastor Simmons began leading this ministry on November 1, 1994. Under his dynamic leadership Greater St. Paul has been transformed into a vibrant worship center with over 4,000+ members and continues to grow at a phenomenal rate. With an uncompromising zeal for the people and things of God, he has brought a spirit of quality and excellence to the ministry of Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, infusing new life and energy into the San Francisco Bay Area Christian and Secular communities. To say the least, Greater St. Paul is a seven day a week ministry for the entire family. He can be heard weekly on KDYA 1190 AM, The Light.