When Ishmael was a child, he was fascinated with television productions. He often critiqued movies, commercials, and the news to determine how these were created. That passion led him to receive a broadcast journalism degree at Liberty University. That investment provided a five-year experience as a news reporter for WSET ABC 13 News in Lynchburg that crafted his writing and video skills. God called him out of the news to ministry. He started working on the media team for the SBC of Virginia in 2011. Ishmael absolutely loves serving SBCV churches and sharing how God is at work across the convention.

On the home front, the Lord blessed Ishmael with a beautiful wife, Sara, and four boys: Ethan, Jayden, Rylan, and Deacon. He holds true to the Gospel message of what Jesus shared with His disciples in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”