Philemon Anthony Samuels, 60, son of the late Pastor William E. and Beatrice Rucker Samuels, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, October 24, 2011. He was born on August 28, 1951, in Winston-Salem, NC and was the youngest son of the Samuels Family.
Pastor Samuels had a devotion to education and intellectual pursuits. After graduation from Anderson Senior High School, he attended Winston-Salem State University. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from High Point University and was a 2009 candidate for the Master of Arts degree in Intercultural Leadership through Crown College in Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota. Visionary Samuels was the author of two books "Your Ministry is No Match for Your Destiny" and "Ministry in the Marketplace."
Philemon Samuels was the Pastor and Founder of Great Commission Community Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. With more than 40 years of ministerial experience and 18 years of pastoral leadership, Rev. Samuels was dedicated to building people, helping individuals discover their hidden potential and nurturing the elements that allow people to believe in themselves. It was because of his commitment to Christ that Pastor Samuels served the Goodwill Baptist Church in Arcadia, NC for nearly two decades. Great Commission Community Church was founded upon the vision "to empower people through Christ-centered, holistic ministry to fulfill their destiny as leaders advancing God's Kingdom locally and globally." The ministry motto is "changing lives to empower communities."
Because of his commitment to intellectual development and theological accuracy Visionary Samuels was invited to share his knowledge both nationally and internationally on topics such as Organizational Leadership, Church Government, Ministry of Helps, Corporate Church Destiny, and Apostolic Order. He conducted revivals, crusades, conferences and seminars and has traveled the Unites States, Africa, and Haiti preaching, facilitating leadership training sessions, and participating on mission teams. Pastor Samuels served as a spiritual father, mentor, personal advisor and life coach to many in the United States and abroad.
As President and CEO of Nehemiah Global Network, Inc. (NGN) Visionary Samuels formed a synergistic alliance of ministries, businesses, entrepreneurs and community leaders committed to the vision of community empowerment both locally and globally. Through the Nehemiah Global Network Pastor Samuels provided seminars for marriage empowerment, a fellowship for churches, a consortium for businesses, leadership development and empowerment training on personal, entrepreneurial and organizational levels.
Pastor Samuels reached many with his weekly radio broadcast "Power for Living" on 1340 AM The Light. He was a former employee of the City of Winston-Salem Water Division and worked within the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School System at Lowrance Middle School. He sat on several community boards and had received numerous accolades and awards for his civic and community service. His sincerity, passion and exceptional leadership was a blessing to everyone around him.
Pastor Philemon Samuels labored diligently in the service of the Lord with his wife of 35 years, Prophetess Gloria Samuels. He is survived by his wife Gloria Samuels of the city; two daughters, Bril Samuels and Joi Samuels Bridges (Ian); four grandchildren, Rodney, Joshua, Sari, Mikela; a sister, Mary Lee Samuels (Carnell) Simington of Minneapolis, Minnesota; brothers, Pastor Joseph R. (Margaret) Samuels, James (Olene) Samuels, Roosevelt Samuels, and Benjamin (Jackie) Samuels all of the city, and Timothy (Cynthia) Samuels of Kernersville, NC; mother and father in-law, John and Frances Monk; 13 brothers and sisters-in law; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and his GC3 church family.
Funeral services will be held at 3:30pm Sunday, October 30, 2011 at Union Baptist Church. The family visitation will be held from 2:30pm until 3:30pm on Sunday at the Church.