On his first cross-cultural missions trip, Josh Samuels participated in street evangelism in the inner cities of New York and Philadelphia. Through this experience as a teenager, Josh realized for the first time that God could use him to share the Good News with others. He received another opportunity as a college student to serve overseas for five weeks. This time, Josh traveled to Papua New Guinea, where he not only gained linguistic and cross-cultural experience, but also first encountered unreached people. Since then, God has maintained a burden in his heart for others who, like them, have never heard the gospel!

Studying Biology as an undergraduate, Josh originally planned to attend medical school after graduation. Sensing God’s direction toward full-time service, however, he completed a Masters in Biblical Studies instead. Afterwards, he accepted an invitation from his pastor to start youth programs for a church plant. Josh then became an assistant pastor at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship in Bermuda, where he has been serving since 2004.

Still wanting to train for overseas service, but not really having a specific plan, Josh had to trust God step by step. Investigating training options, he discovered Dallas International just this past December! He had been searching for a focused program with academic excellence; and, after calling to inquire, he decided to enroll. To God’s glory, Josh was able to submit all of the necessary paperwork by Christmas break and arrived in January. Though he does not know exactly where the Lord will take him from here, he knows that God has called him into church-planting and Bible translation.

Josh is thankful that his church shares his burden for cross-cultural ministry. As he has continued to pursue God’s leading, Cornerstone has been assisting with his transition into full-time missions. He is keenly and gratefully aware of the fact that his preparation for future ministry is a team effort—Cornerstone is excited to be walking with him every step of the way! Their relationship is truly an active partnership in which everyone is completing the journey together, and Josh views himself as Cornerstone’s representative. His senior pastor even visited campus to experience and explore Dallas International in person!

In addition to their passion for cross-cultural service, Josh and his church share an even larger vision for the body of Christ in Bermuda. They desire to see the Church in Bermuda increase its participation in global missions. Currently, though the Church has traditionally supported North American missionaries, it has not sent many of its own people to serve overseas. Josh and his church envision increased missions involvement resulting in Bermuda becoming a missions resourcing center for the world! Josh explains that God has richly blessed the Bermudian people both spiritually and financially. Furthermore, he notes that God has a purpose in doing so, reflecting on the fact that God oftentimes uses what is small, whether in size or apparent significance, to bring Himself glory. God has entrusted Bermuda, a tiny country, with blessings that equip them to impact the world for the gospel!