Sam grew up as the son of missionaries in Bolivia. He graduated from Geneva College in 2001 with a BS in Electrical Engineering and has worked as a computer programmer.

Sam and Abbie married in 2005 while Abbie was a student at Oberlin. They later moved to Medina, where Sam was ordained as a Ruling Elder and began sensing a call to church planting.

While working full time, Sam earned his Master of Divinity through Reformed Theological Seminary’s online program and was ordained as a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Abbie is from Vermont and studied music education and violin performance at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

While at Oberlin, she became involved with a local PCA church in Medina. Abbie has a heart for hospitality and has been active in Bible studies and gatherings.

Together, Sam and Abbie completed a two-year apprenticeship with seasoned church planters.

In 2019, their family of four children moved back to Oberlin to embed themselves in the community, start a business that would support the town and its residents, and build relationships as the foundation of Sparrow Church.

Sam and Abbie are uniquely called and prepared to share the gospel in Oberlin.