Five years ago, Daniel Rogers-Johnson was at a low point in his life.

He’d had big dreams of working in the island’s tourism industry and promoting Bermuda internationally, but couldn’t find a job after university.

“God had to bring me through some challenging places before putting me where I am today,” said Mr Rogers-Johnson, an assistant product manager at Bermuda Tourism Authority.

“At one point I was doing anything I could for employment. I was a jet ski tour guide, helped out at Wheels Cycles and then at a local wholesale distributor. God told me ‘Keep the faith and I’m going to take care of you’, so everything I did I did it to the best of my ability.

“Even when I was packing shelves I said, ‘God this is for you. I know you have something bigger for me’.”

His break came two years ago when he was hired as a conference services co-ordinator at Rosewood Tucker’s Point. Months later, the door opened for Mr Rogers-Johnson to work with the BTA, soliciting business from sports teams and organisations looking to bring their events here.

“It’s called sports tourism and I absolutely love it,” he said. “It has created a lot of pathways for me and allowed me to travel regularly throughout the United States; to places like Colorado, New York, Texas and Atlanta.”

He believes his faith played a big role in getting him to where he is today.

“By keeping the faith, doors have opened up for me, the 29-year-old said. “By believing and trusting in Jesus and sharing my problems, as well as my dreams with Him, He has been really faithful to me. He provides all the time.

“I realise now that He brought me through all those jobs because He wanted me to get experience and knowledge, to meet people, build relationships and also to stay humble and grounded. I did that and it worked out to my advantage because I work with many of these same people now and have a better understanding of what they do.

“The low moment didn’t last long because I tried to keep myself in check and say, ‘God wants you to be where you are’.

I knew it was going to be hard and a struggle and people were going to look at me like, ‘Daniel, why are you doing that [job]’, but even when I wasn’t where I wanted to be I tried to be thankful because there were still people out there looking for work and I should be appreciative about what I have. I can’t sit here complaining or be mad at where I should be.

“I knew I wasn’t at my peak and still don’t feel like I’m at my peak yet. I’m always going to be going up until I get to Heaven.”

Mr Rogers Johnson was raised in the Church and got saved when he was 11.

“Growing up I knew about God, Jesus and the Resurrection, but it was one day when I was at a church gathering and party and they asked if anyone wanted to get saved and I raised my hand. From there I just went off and got baptised when I was 16, and that’s when it clicked and so many doors and opportunities were opened up for me.

“He’s saved me from so many things that I’ve been through. There have been downfalls where I wish I could have done more with my faith and believed more, but we all fall short. It’s still nice to know that I have someone who loves and cares about me and wants the best for me.”

His advice to other young believers is to never give up on whatever God has placed in their heart.

“There are some people who are struggling in Bermuda, but even if you are going through a dark time don’t give up on your dream,” he said. “I have a lot of friends that have gone the other way and chosen a negative path, but I’ve always been ambitious and determined. I never wanted to be sitting on a corner. I wanted to be a role model for younger and older people and be a role model for myself as well. Just staying focused and putting God first has allowed me to live out my dreams and aspirations more than I ever imagined.”