Meet Joshua Bridges, Candidate for Youth Pastor

On a typical day off you will find Josh playing board games and sports, going on walks with his wife, or re-watching marvel movies for the fifteenth time. His favorite place to be is underwater because it is the only place that is truly quiet. He is a child of God first, a husband and almost father second, and loves to be around people third.

My testimony and call to ministry--

My testimony starts with the typical church kid story. I grew up in the church with a family who loved the Lord. When I was just 3 years old sitting in my bunk bed with my older brother Jonathan, I became a Christian. Did three-year-old Josh have a perfect understanding of Jesus and his love for me or my complete sinfulness? No, but as a 3 year old I knew enough to understand that Jesus loves me and died for my sin, that was enough for a 3 year old to understand.

In high school I was already working in Awana and VBS and anywhere else I was needed and I seemed to have a strong relationship with the Lord. The problem was I hadn’t grown much in my relationship with the Lord since I was 3. A faith that should have been growing was stagnant. On the outside I seemed to be a strong Christian but on the inside I wasn’t sure what I believed.

During this time I had fallen into some sin and was living in it. I had my whole life planned before me. I was going to go to college, get my business degree, come back and work for my dad and make lots of money. I had planned where I was going to build my house and knew every step that I was going to take. Little did I know God had very different plans for me and my future.

The summer after my junior year of high school I re-dedicated my life to the Lord. When I re-dedicated my life to Him and gave Him control over my life I felt a strong calling to go into ministry. The only problem was I didn’t want to go into ministry and I didn’t want to give up my dream of building a big house and working for my dad. After fighting with God for about a month I finally gave in to what God was calling me to do. I immediately called the college I had been accepted to and told them to change my major from business to Bible.

From that time on I have fallen in love with discipleship ministry. I know that God has called me to disciple youth and I know that God will open the doors to wherever He wants me to be. Whether I stay in Lake County or I end up on the other side of the world I know that God has a plan and that it will be done according to His will.

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” Romans 10:14-15 

​-Joshua Bridges