Meet the Rev. Stephen Samuel of St. John Baptist Church in Gainesville. He is a father, husband and a man who loves the Lord. Pastor Samuel is originally from Rome, where much of his family still lives and where he met his wife, Trish. Pastor Samuel went to high school in Rome, college at Morehouse College in Atlanta and convinced Trish to move to New Jersey for more education.  He received his Masters of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, N.J.  They found themselves finally moving back to Georgia in 2008, when they moved to Hall County, a place they didn’t know much about but were willing to jump in head first.
Pastor Samuel and his wife have been married for 16 years. They have a 13 year old daughter named Paris, who attends school at Twin Rivers Middle School. Trish works as a substitute in Gwinnett County, teaching special needs children.
Pastor Samuel spent some time with us recently answering questions about his life in Hall County. We are very grateful for his time.
Question: What inspired or led you to your current career?
Answer: “A conviction that people’s lives needed information. I believe that they can be healed by the touch and Word of God.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “Luna’s is my favorite restaurant and I love their steaks.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “Nine years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Hall County?
A: “Dr. Ed Schrader (president at Brenau University).”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “Paris; my daughter’s name is Paris and I’ve never been.”
Q: What is your favorite movie OR the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “The first movie I remember seeing in a theater was ‘Karate Kid.’”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Jesus is the Lord.”
Q: What are three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “Prince, the Jackson 5 and James Brown.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why this person? Where in Hall County would you have this lunch?
A: “President Barack Obama – I want to hear his story. I would take him to Scott’s on the Square.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “Lake Lanier.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “Hopefully making a larger impact on the county and our community.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I’m a gym rat.”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.