The vision for The Carpenter's Hope was inspired by Rev. Roy Joe Ham's upbringing and life experiences. Growing up in rural Southwest Texas, Rev. Ham's parents instilled in him valuable skills and values that he would carry with him throughout his life. His parents' teachings and example contributed to his strong work ethic and his desire to serve others.
Being raised in a farming and ranching community exposed Rev. Ham to various aspects of manual labor and problem-solving. He learned to build fences, barns, and operate a range of farm and construction equipment. These experiences provided him with a solid foundation in practical skills and a willingness to take on new challenges.
During his early years, Rev. Ham also worked for a construction company owned by extended family members. This opportunity allowed him to gain hands-on experience in various construction fields, including residential building and heavy equipment operation. He regards these experiences as blessings that provided him with diverse learning opportunities.
Roy Joe earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education with a strong emphasis in mechanics and design from Sam Houston State University, which continued an experiential journey to perfect his personal skills, along with developing the ability to teach life changing skills to others. In his degree program, there was an emphasis in always doing the right thing, the correct way, and never leaving a job incomplete; he has sought to follow these important principles through his life. His career afforded many opportunities, along with many challenges. His twenty years in business and industry began in the field of agriculture and informal education that led to public relations, research oversight, facility maintenance and design, management, and human resources. God opened the doors in various areas of construction allowing him the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of the field. With experience in residential, commercial, and industrial construction, industrial refrigeration as well as installation of underground utilities, his broad base of understanding was established. To add the personal touch of his experience, he also ran his own home repair and minor remodeling business.