Joel Klepac grew up in a Christian home in Northeast Ohio. His early experiences in missions in Slovakia and Russia gave him a heart to follow God wherever He would have him go.

Monica Klepac was raised in Kentucky and was exposed to missions at an early age. Through youth group trips to the Dominican Republic and a summer spent in Colombia, she sensed God leading her into ministry overseas.

Joel and Monica met as students at Asbury College. After they graduated, they went to India for the summer and felt God leading them to work with Word Made Flesh. In July, 2000 they came to Romania where they led Servant Teams for their first 2 years. They helped renovate the drop in center (Casa la Vale) and boys home (Casa Lazar) and served as house parents in the boys home from 2003 - 2006. Their son, Simeon, was born in January 2003 and Abram is the newest member of the family, born in April 2006. The Klepacs minister together as a family among boys who are leaving life on the streets.

Joel is an artist and has created a blog called "Art in Community Among the Poor" that displays some of his work as he engages life and creates art among the poor.