the University of Alabama and attained a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Information Science. While in college, he joined the Afro-American Gospel Choir and during those years served as president, vice-president, chaplain, and spiritual adviser. While in the choir, Rev Sam had the opportunity of traveling throughout the United States and ministering through music. In 2006-2007 he became the national president for the Baptist Student Union Retreat and presided over the annual summit with over 300 college students.

​

In 2006 Rev Sam became a licensed minister in the Baptist tradition and an associate minister at Morning Dove Baptist Church in Perdido, AL where he was later ordained. Rev Sam began attending Candler School of Theology in Atlanta Georgia at Emory University in 2012 and graduated from Candler in May 2015 with a Master of Divinity degree and a certificate in human rights. Rev Sam’s master of divinity focus is in the areas of justice, peacebuilding, and conflict transformation; leadership in church and community; and theology and ethics. He served as the student body president from 2014-2015. During seminary, Rev Sam worked as the Associate Campaign Coordinator for the Pan-Methodist Campaign for Children in Poverty, volunteered at Genesis Homeless Shelter, and led students in demonstrations and protests against racial injustice. Rev Sam received awards and recognition for social justice, community service, and his leadership and academic performance at Emory University. In May 2016 he earned a second advanced master’s degree in theology from Emory University.

​

Rev Sam’s time at Candler includes a variety of international experience and travel. In the summer of 2014, Rev Sam served as interim pastor and summer intern at Wesley Methodist Church in Inagua, Bahamas. In March 2015 Rev Sam traveled to Sao Paulo, Brazil to research global dimensions of pastoral care. In May 2015 he traveled to Seoul, South Korea to study moral leadership, and reunification between North and South Korea. In the summer of 2015 Rev Sam served as the pastoral intern at Christ UM and Bethlehem Wiley United Methodist Churches in Chattanooga, TN.  In November 2015 Sam traveled to the Middle East to study Palestinian liberation and oppression. And in the summer of 2016 Rev Sam Traveled to South Africa to participate in an international leadership training program. 

 

Sam is married to the stunning Mrs. Janalene Jamie Gengan from Durban, South Africa. Sam and Jamie met during a leadership training program in Cape Town, South Africa in 2016 and married in February 2019. Jamie is a true woman of God called to serve God's people through intercession and prayer. 

​

In January 2021 Sam and Jamie launched Reckless Love Fellowship in Atlanta, GA and Durban, South Africa simultaneously.  

​