bishop samuel l.cutler -ctsc founder

Samuel Lewis Cutler was born and raised in the beautiful Southampton County, Franklin, Virginia where he attended local area elementary and middle schools. He attended Hayden High School in Franklin, where graduated in the upper percentage of his class.  

Bishop Cutler is academically prepared for ministry. He is a graduate from Norfolk State University, United Christian College, Richmond Virginia Seminary, and Norfolk Theological Seminary earning his Bachelor, Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry, Honorary Doctor of Divinity and Honorary Doctor of Laws. 

After three years of military service in the United States Army, he was then called to preach the Gospel in March 1970. He was soon licensed at the Abyssinia Baptist Church under the auspices of the Rev. Frank Guns.
 

In November 1974, God opened the door for him, and he was called to Pastor Zion Hill Baptist Church, Gloucester, Virginia for a term of four years.  He served there until September 24, 1978.
 

On October 1, 1978, he was called to pastor the Canaan Baptist Church (formerly First Baptist Church Lincoln Park), Hampton, Virginia. Bishop Cutler has the Word of God in his heart and from that date until he retired on October 6, 2019, Bishop Cutler led the Canaan Baptist Church family according to the vision God had given him.   Now Pastor Emeritus, after 41 years of service.

God inspired Bishop Cutler with a vision to educate and prepare leaders to serve in ministry. In 1988, Bishop became director of the Peninsula Branch of the Richmond Virginia Seminary and later, in September 2003, director of the Hampton Branch of the Norfolk Theological Seminary and College. In 2008, the Canaan Theological Seminary and College (CTSC) was born where Bishop Cutler was the founder and president for more than 16 years. CTSC’s mission is to prepare persons called to the field of ministry by offering a viable and challenging program of Biblical study and training. 

Bishop was married to Dr. Yvonne Cutler, former Co-Pastor of Canaan Baptist Church and administrator of Canaan Theological Seminary and College. The Lord called Bishop Cutler from labor to reward on Palm Sunday morning, April 13, 2025.