RESOLUTION NO. __________, SERIES 2014
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A RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REV. JOSEPH RONALD SAMS.
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Sponsored By: Councilwoman Attica Scott
WHEREAS, Rev. Joseph Ronald Sams, the son of the late Joseph and Janie Sams, was born on November 10, 1948, in Demopolis, Alabama. He was called to his eternal rest and entered the Kingdom of God on Tuesday, January 8, 2013.
WHEREAS, Rev. Sams was a graduate of U.S. Jones High School, Alabama A&M University, Samford University, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He pledged Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity at Alabama A&M University.
WHEREAS, Rev. Sams accepted Christ at an early age at Eastern Star Baptist Church in Demopolis, Alabama under Rev. P.E. Green. He was called into the ministry in 1977 and ordained in August 1980 at the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama under the leadership of Rev. John Thomas Porter. He later worked as an assistant to the pastor at the First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown under the leadership of Rev. Thurmond Coleman. Rev. Sams was called to pastor New Covenant Baptist Church in July 1990 and served there as pastor for 22 years. Under his visionary leadership, a magnificent new edifice was erected in September 2000. Over subsequent years, surrounding properties and a 24-passenger church bus were also acquired.
WHEREAS, Rev. Sams began his academic career 28 years ago when he joined the faculty of Simmons College of Kentucky during the presidency of the late Dr. W. J. Hodge. He established himself as an Old Testament scholar. Rev. Sams was known for his rigorous challenging of students to think and to stretch their minds. He encouraged his students to be receptive to new truths. New students to his class quickly learned that while he allowed open dialogue, they must be ready with concrete facts to defend and support their position.
WHEREAS, during his tenure at Simmons, Rev. Sams always offered his support ...
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