Apr 26, 2019
by Andy Samuels
Chief Executive Director, SDB Missionary Society
Here I am today, having begun a new journey in my life. In my own mind and heart, it is still sinking in and being processed that I am serving as the newly appointed Chief Executive Director of the SDB Missionary Society. Seventh Day Baptists have been a meaningful part of my life for the entire time that I’ve been out of my mother’s womb—and even before. So, my new stewardship with this group of God’s people is especially thrilling.
Reflecting on the evolution of my life’s journey and mission is interesting and instructive. Take this abbreviated version of the voyage with me. From growing up in the city of Kingston, Jamaica and embracing my early spiritual nurturing by Godly and loving parents, as well as the Mountain View SDB church community, like the Biblical Samuel, I learned to recognize the voice of the Lord. At 11 years of age, I answered my first spiritual call and placed my faith in Jesus Christ for personal salvation. Then about three years later, in the summer of 1976, at our SDB youth camp at Maiden Hall, in a dramatic worship experience, I answered another call from the Lord, and pledged with my teenage heart to go wherever the Lord wanted me to go. I don’t have the space in this article to chronicle the details of that encounter, so ask me about it sometime, and I will be very happy to give you the ball-by-ball commentary.
Six years after that, I found myself on a plane for the first time, heading to New York City to begin a new chapter of life, employed by the government of Jamaica, and assigned to the Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations. I had the privilege then of living and working in a wonderfully diverse international community, where people from almost every nation of the world were part of my neighborhood. Another call was answered then, embarking on another mission.
Early in the New York City leg of the journey, I answered the call to take on a wife, and Kay has been by my side ever since. She partnered with me to say yes to the mission of becoming parents, and liked the maiden voyage so much, that she went back a second time. We are truly blessed with our two daughters, our son-in-law, and our two grandchildren.
In 1988, like Abraham, we responded to the call to go to a new city and a new assignment. Unlike Abraham, we knew the name and location of the city. It was Miami, FL. And the assignment was a pastoral one. Although since then, in the will of the Lord, I have had many sub-missions, serving as pastor of the Miami SDB Church has been my primary mission—for just short of 31 years. Until now.
The mission continues in a wider context. I feel very blessed to have the privilege of this particular mission: to humbly oversee, direct, and equip others for God’s mission among Seventh Day Baptists the world over. At present that includes almost 50 countries. The mission of my continued role as General Secretary of the SDB World Federation has also uniquely prepared me for this new calling. I am deeply grateful to the Missionary Society Board of Managers for giving me the honor of involvement in kingdom work in this way, and I look forward to partnering with many others in this walk.
There are three Scripture passages which undergird and anchor me as I step out into this new commission.
Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
2 Corinthians 4:7 – But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Luke 12:48 – From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
What about you? Have you heard God’s voice; sensed His call; felt His nudge? Just as He does for me, He has a mission for you. And you will not be at peace until you’re moving in that direction. The opportunities are endless, the assignments countless. The fields are ripe for harvest. Laborers are needed. Is that you? I have shared a little about my
mission. What’s yours? I very humbly accept this noble mission. At your service, Lord. At your service, Seventh Day Baptists.
