Joakim Arenius started singing in Joybells, Europe’s oldest gospel choir, at the age of 16, and became the choir’s director ten years later. In 2004 he founded Praise Unit -a group of singers and musicians from various backgrounds and different parts of Sweden who shares Joakim’s desire to spread the music and the message of gospel beyond the usual expectations of the gospel music genre. During 2000-2001 Joakim was music minister in New York City and founded Salem Outreach Singers. Since 2003 he has been working with Creative Kirche from Germany who manages his work as workshop leader in the German speaking countries. Joakim speaks spanish, which has been helpful since he started working with the spanish gospel choirs in 2008. Gospel Music Workshop of America has invited Joakim to teach his songs at several occasions, and also recorded his music. Joakim is continually networking with churches, artists and choirs in many parts of the world. Since 2010 the establishing of gospel music in Russia is a major part of his work. Diversity has always been a trademark for Joakim. He arranged 13 gospel songs for the Swedish Chamber Orchestra in 2009. As a music producer he is influenced by old school sounds as well as modern dance beats. Both kids choirs and senior choirs have sung his songs, and he works with both famous artists and aspiring amateurs. In October 2016 he released "Be The Plan", a Praise Unit CD with 13 new songs and 50 guest artists from 11 different countries.