“It’s very hard to be obedient to the Lord and be accepted by society,” says senior M.Div. student Joshua Fisher. Something he discovered from experience. Growing up he could feel very clearly that the life God calls God’s people to live is not in the status quo. However, as a boy he didn’t want to give up one world for the other so he tried to live in both, but found the act to be more trouble than it was worth.
So he gave up and picked one in which to dwell. He entered his first year at Waynesburg College intent on pursuing football and a degree in criminal justice and pushed God as far from him as he could. He had everything, but felt his life had no peace and maintained this perpetual state of emptiness. Josh says he began to question, Is this all? Is this really it?, then one day the Spirit convicted him, breaking him down, and he decided to stop running away and instead run toward God.
Soon thereafter Josh changed his major to biblical ministries studies with a focus on international missions, displaying in him a heart bent for the poor and the marginalized which he opened and shared willingly. He went to Africa and saw firsthand international poverty but also the vibrant faith of those even deep in this pain and poverty. “I felt strongly called to let people know who are broken that God doesn’t forget his people. You don’t always see the brokenness but it’s there, a hidden darkness.”
Josh also got a college internship with 8th Avenue Place, a ministry started by the Rev. Keith Kaufold ’07/’12, and continued to help there throughout his undergrad years. When his senior year approached Josh was looking to further be prepared for the work of God and it was Keith who had suggested that Josh should attend PTS. After much prayer and discerning, Josh agreed. After graduation he married Katelyn, who has a big heart for the lonely and elderly, and moved to Pittsburgh.
Now in his final year at seminary and in being asked what the next step is, Josh says, “Katelyn and I are trying to discern our call—whether to work in America among the poor or work with international mission. But whatever it is, we will go together. Our time here has definitely molded us together as we are being prepared.”
Whichever world they decide to work in, Josh and Katelyn Fisher have hearts big enough to be bridges for the Word to others.
Written October 2012