Paul Samuels

Growing up on the streets of the South Bronx served as a harsh palate for my almost desperate search for meaning. In the poetry of James Kavanaugh, Rod McKuen and the songs of Bob Dylan and Harry Chapin, I found solace and an expressive outlet to re-set my thoughts in the direction of beauty and a positive outlook on life. Four years in the U.S. Navy also schooled me with a world outlook.

My life is a kaleidoscope of variety from a not-so-good beginning to the present day. Like most of us, I’ve known pain and joy. And I’ve experienced God turning ashes into beauty in ways I never anticipated.

I've enjoyed the privilege of serving with Youth With A Mission, Mercy Ships, Messianic Jewish Alliance of America, and World Vision. I've traveled the world making my small contributions to the lives of those less fortunate, turning my own background into a tool for good. Living on a hospital ship and living in Romania, I found ways to contribute to our world.

I'm a husband and a dad. Although a business man in various seasons of my life, I didn’t view money as the measuring stick of my life's success. Rather, my true measurement is living every day in the fullness of my relationships with faith, family, friends and life adventures. That’s success!

Years of marriage to Arlene Bridges, the former Miss Florence, S.C., have been the best years of my life. I often wonder what direction my life would have taken without Arlene's enduring love and companionship.

Adoption has been a profound gift from God for us. In 1988 we adopted our son when he was 5 days old in Charleston, S.C. Then in 1991, we traveled to Romania to adopt a tiny, beautiful daughter, who was 28 days old. My life is rich in love!

Want to communicate? www.paulsamuels.com