by Rich Stratton, Assistant Director of Public Relations
Josh Hochstedler has watched God use both hardship and opportunity to shape his definition of success. Along the way, his interest in entrepreneurship has become closely connected to a desire to impact lives, build Christian community, and help others pursue their God-given calling with confidence and purpose.
A junior cyber operations major at Cedarville University, Josh recently shared his story on the Cedarville Stories podcast, reflecting on the experiences that have shaped both his faith and his vision for the future.
Lessons Learned Through Faith and Loss
Some of those lessons began during his childhood in Brazil, where he watched his father faithfully invest in the lives of others through ministry. Seeing the difference one person could make through consistent care, service, and encouragement left a lasting impression on Josh and helped cultivate his desire to serve others.
Later, those early lessons were deepened through the heartbreaking losses of his brother and mother to cancer within two years of each other. Walking through that season taught Josh lessons that no classroom ever could. He learned that faith is not simply believing when life makes sense; it is trusting God when it doesn't. He learned that God's provision often comes through the people He places beside us. He also learned how deeply encouragement, presence, honesty, transparency, and genuine community can sustain someone through life's hardest moments.
Those experiences continue to influence the way Josh approaches life today. He often returns to the lesson God has been teaching him about belief, trusting that God will provide, guide, and open doors as he faithfully takes the next step. Even after witnessing God's faithfulness in powerful ways, Josh knows that choosing faith remains a daily decision. Yet time and again, he has seen God work through both challenges and opportunities to lead him forward.
Entrepreneurship With a Kingdom Purpose
That perspective has also transformed the way he thinks about entrepreneurship. While many people view business as a path to personal achievement, Josh sees it as a platform for serving others. The trials his family endured gave him a deeper appreciation for relationships and reinforced a conviction that people, not profits, must remain at the center of any lasting impact.
How Missions Shaped His Vision for Success
A recent missions trip to Chile helped strengthen that conviction. The experience reminded him that success finds its highest purpose when it is used to invest in people. It renewed his commitment to keep relationships at the center of everything he hopes to build and reinforced his desire to create opportunities that positively influence others.
Building Community for Christian Entrepreneurs
That people-first mindset also fuels Josh's passion for encouraging Christian entrepreneurs. Through events and gatherings, he has witnessed how isolating the entrepreneurial journey can sometimes feel. He has also seen how quickly people come alive when they discover others who share their vision and calling. Those moments have inspired him to help build stronger communities where Christian entrepreneurs can connect, encourage one another, share resources, and work together for a greater Kingdom impact.
A Legacy of Investing in People
When Josh thinks about the legacy he hopes to leave behind, his answer is simple: people. He wants to invest in others the way so many have invested in him, walking alongside them, offering encouragement, and helping them grow in faith. The image that continues to guide him is one he shared on the podcast: believers linking arms, supporting one another through every season of life, and moving together toward heaven. In many ways, that vision captures both the lessons he has learned and the impact he hopes to leave behind.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio’s largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
