This series of blogs is about three incredible people who have influenced my life in a big way. Each of them have been a coach to me in different seasons of my life. I am so thankful for all they have done to help me grow in my leadership and relationship with Christ.

Sam Farina is the one who really taught me how to be a ministry coach.

When I was 15 and 16, for two summers, I had the incredible opportunity to travel with Sam. I got to meet Reggie Dabbs, Gary Grogan, Mike Shields, Rich Wilkerson- all these incredible people and friends I have today. He taught me how to pray in the altar with people, he brought me to Chicago Outreach- so many people I know and have relationship with are because I got to travel with Sam.

One of the greatest things he let me do that summer was to sit in the room with some of the most incredible leaders every evening after the service. Those summers taught me 2 things: Who I wanted to be like, and who I did NOT want to be like.

There were all of these people who were mean to teenagers.

There were speakers who were one way on the platform and totally different off of it.

But then there were the people like Gary Grogan and Sam who just loved me for being ME.

The first “honorarium” I ever received was a $20 bill with a note from Gary Grogan that said, “You made a difference this week at camp.” I didn’t even want to spend the money because it was such a big deal!!

At MinistryCoach.tv, Sam instructs The Coaching Guide course, and I can’t think of anyone better to do it. He’s an active member of the International Coach Federation, and he’s a powerful communicator.

To learn more about Sam, click here.

To check out his course on MinistryCoach.tv, click here.

Tags: Church, coach, interview, Leadership, mentor, ministry, pastor, resources, scott wilson