Sam has been in ministry since 1990 and is the author of YM2K, Youth Ministry for the Millennial Generation and co-author of Becoming Like Jesus; Grounding Youth in Jesus. Sam is a graduate of William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri where he earned a BA in Religious studies. It was during this time that Sam received his calling to ministry and began working in the church. He continued his education at Midwestern Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Divinity degree, and in 2005 Sam earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Sam married Emily in 1996 and they have two children: Paden and Ben.