WHO IS SAM?

Hi!  

Welcome to my website!  I have been a pastor to teenagers and adults and a leader in ministry for  the past 20 years.  I started off in ministry as an intern/volunteer youth pastor while in college.  After graduating from Clarks Summit University in Clarks Summit, PA, I moved  to Bible Baptist Church in Kokomo, IN where I was both the middle school pastor and then the Student Pastor. During this season I began my MDiv schooling, but had to put it on pause halfway through.  After 5 great years there, I moved over to Oakbrook Church to be the Student Pastor.    My main focus at Oakbrook was in leadership development, vision, and weekend communication in the student ministry.  I spent 4 years there growing the student ministry.  In June of 2011, I joined Hopevale Church in Saginaw, Michigan to be the Student Ministries Pastor.  I led a team of staff and volunteers to minister to middle school, high school, and college students.  In July of 2015  I was asked to transition into the position of Next Gen Pastor overseeing all ministry areas and staff from birth through college aged.  In the summer of 2022 I was promoted to the role of Campus Pastor of our Saginaw Campus.  In the summer of 2023, I became a certified Prepare-Enrich Facilitator Trainer, providing leadership and workshops to Prepare-Enrich Facilitators who are investing in healthy marriages and families.

Of all the things that are truly important to me… one of the most important things is my family.  I married WAY out of my league to my wife Sarah 21 years ago and we have three awesome kids: Nicholas, Jonathon, and Charis.  I love hanging out with my family and just being together.

Thanks for checking out my website! I’d love to hear from you, so drop me a line either in the comments or as an email: sam.burke30@gmail.com