Meet Sam

Hi, I am Samantha!

Call to Ministry

I first felt called to ministry when I was in high school-ironically to be a youth pastors wife. The idea of that now makes me laugh, because I am, essentially, a youth pastors wife. However, my journey from being called to ministry but not recognizing that I was called to preach, write, and walk alongside those eager to learn more about Christ was something I had to overcome. It wasn’t until I was in seminary that my Greek professor sat next to me while we were in Israel and asked why I didn’t believe I could be the one at the pulpit. To make a long story short, I graduated from seminary called, and affirmed, and excited to jump into full time ministry (well…to continue in full time ministry without having to go to classes). It is difficult to be a woman in ministry, because, though I have recognized that call and affirmation in my life after some time and study, not everyone does and can be cruel. After some years of experiencing what a lot of women experience in ministry, I took a break and soon after the pandemic hit. During that time I met my husband who supports me in my call in ministry and is also a pastor. So, yes, I am a pastors wife, who also is/once was a pastor and is venturing off to do ministry in the way God had always put it in her head: to be with people, address hard topics or goals that inevitably come up in life, and give glory to God. I am really happy you are here, and invite you to join me.

Education

I graduated from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies and a Minor in Theatre. I am just a few credits short of a music minor. I dropped the minor at the end of my junior year when a 7:30AM course of Aural Skills destroyed me, primarily because I was never fully awake. I still love to sing, though.

From there, I attended George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, TX and graduated with a Master of Divinity with an emphasis in Theology.

A few years after seminary, I had the chance to start a Doctorate of Ministry program at Northern Seminary in Lisle, IL to study under Scot McKnight, Nijay Gupta, and Lynn Cohick. After a year of being in the program for a year and after I had started crafting my thesis on Disability in Scripture, I found out I was pregnant with a high risk pregnancy and a 99% chance that our baby would have Down Syndrome. I couldn’t continue with the program giving my full effort knowing the impending procedures and possible hospital stays, so I dropped out (to hear more of that story go to the Disability Advocacy page).

After our daughter was born, I knew I was still called to do ministry but that it was going to be vastly different than I thought it would be. That is when I was invited to join Crossroads Soul Resources School of Spiritual Direction and started my journey in training to be a Spiritual Director, which I will graduate in the November 2025.

Experience

There is an ongoing joke is that I have done everything, and honestly, it isn’t completely wrong. From Mime to Payroll Consultant, and Sales Rep to Marina Manager…yeah I’ve had quite the resume builder. However, the things that have been the most formational to me are the things that I want to offer to you:

Spiritual Direction

My little brother, Zach, was born when I was three years old. Since then, I have embodied the glass that is looked through to see him—my families life revolved around Zach and his needs.
24 weeks into my pregnancy, my husband and I found out our daughter had the genetic markers for Down syndrome. Her birth was traumatic for her, myself, and my husband and resulted in an extended NICU stay. There were numerous times where we almost lost her.
All of that has lead me here—providing Holy space for those who are often overlooked, their needs pushed aside, in order to care for those whose needs are more to meet with God AND for those who society often overlooks.

Disability Advocacy

The local church is recognizing the significant lack of inclusion surrounding those with cognitive disabilities. However, they do not know where to start. While their motives are pure, they do not realize that programming is not the answer to truly knowing and loving the disability community. Through my lived experience, education, and occupational background, I have created trainings for churches to begin to understand the disability community and launch their ministry. Learn more here.
30+ years of lived experience as a sibling of an individual with disabilities
A mother to a perfect daughter with Down syndrome
Professional experience in:
- Schools
- Camps
- Respite
- Churches

The Enneagram