Michael Aaron Samples was born and raised in a Christian home in Knoxville, TN. He attended Temple Baptist Church of Powell, TN where he accepted Christ as his personal Savior. It was under the strong and Christ-honoring preaching of Dr. Clarence Sexton that Pastor Samples began to grow in the Lord and recognize God's call upon his life to preach. After graduating from Temple Baptist Academy, Pastor Samples enrolled and graduated from Crown College of the Bible with a Pastoral Theology degree in 1997. He completed another year of training and obtained a Master of Ministry degree in 1998. On July 17, 1998, Pastor Samples married his sweetheart, Joy. The Lord has blessed them with three children: Abby, Caleb, and Joshua.
After college graduation, the Samples' moved to Washington, Illinois to serve under Dr. Keith Thibo of the Bay View Baptist Church. It was a wonderful opportunity to serve under a great leader and pastor. For twelve years, Brother Samples served at Bay View Baptist as the youth director, bus director and assistant to the pastor.
On November 14, 2010, Pastor Samples was called to be the Pastor at Grace Baptist. We are looking forward to many years of God's blessing in reaching souls and building the lives of people for the glory of God.
Pastor Aaron Samples