Our Pastor

In January 2000, while the world was focused on the Y2K transition, Dr. David Sampson was focused on a different kind of transition—one led by faith and guided by God's call. Answering the Lord's direction, Dr. Sampson moved his family from Northwest Indiana to join Parkway Baptist as the Associate Pastor. During his time in this role, he faithfully served the congregation with dedication, compassion, and a heart for ministry.

In October 2003, after witnessing his unwavering commitment to the church and his passion for shepherding God's people, the congregation extended the call for Dr. David Sampson to serve as Senior Pastor. Trusting in God's providence, Dr. Sampson accepted the call, stepping into the role with humility and a firm belief in the Lord’s plan for Parkway Baptist. Since then, he has continued to lead the church with steadfast faith, preaching the Word, building up the body of Christ, and pointing countless souls toward a deeper relationship with the Savior. He preaches in a manner akin to a builder, meticulously laying down line upon line, precept upon precept, and constructing doctrinal foundations using exegetical mortar. Every sermon is a blueprint drawn from Scripture, and every message echoes the heartbeat of Heaven.

For the past 24 years, Dr. David Sampson, along with his sweet wife Melissa, has faithfully led Parkway Baptist with the mission of being "On Mission with God," impacting lives both locally and around the world. He is a Spirit-led visionary with the heart of a missionary and the mind of a theologian. His leadership is marked by a deep commitment to serve not only the spiritual needs of the church but also the broader needs of the community. Under his guidance, Parkway Baptist has become a church known for its dedication to spreading the gospel, supporting missions, and fostering meaningful outreach efforts that extend beyond the church walls.

His pulpit isn’t a stage for entertainment—it’s a sacred desk where eternal truths are expounded to meet everyday life. Dr. David Sampson’s ministry reaches far beyond the pulpit. His passion for sharing God’s Word has led him into the field of writing, where he continues to make a lasting impact through books and devotionals. His writings offer encouragement and practical wisdom for those seeking to grow in their faith while also serving as valuable resources for pastors, leaders, and believers across various ministries.

Driven by a heart for discipleship and a desire to equip others for Kingdom work, the influence of Dr. David Sampson is evident in every area of Parkway’s ministry. His leadership exemplifies a life dedicated to serving God’s purpose—empowering the church to carry out the Great Commission with passion, perseverance, and unwavering faith. Dr. Sampson's ministry approach is where doctrine meets direction. He is a revivalist with reverence, a professor with passion, a pastor with purpose, and a counselor with clarity.

Dr. David Sampson holds a Bachelor of Theology, a Master of Pastoral Theology, and a Doctor of Ministry from Liberty University, along with a Doctorate in Theological Studies from Andersonville Theological Seminary. With more than 37 years of preaching ministry experience, Dr. Sampson brings profound insight and unwavering commitment to his pastoral calling. He is a gifted songwriter, the author of several books, and an online adjunct professor at Brewton-Parker College. Since August 17, 1991, he has been joyfully married to the love of his life, Melissa. Together, they have been blessed with three wonderful children and the added joy of several grandchildren.

Pastor's Books

Study God's Word with these insightful books by Dr. Sampson…

Prayer: Developing a Strategy for Spiritual Warfare 

The only way to push back the spiritual darkness that tries to impede the believer's progress and hinder their relationship with God is through prayer. The purpose of PRAYER is laid out on each page of this book. Dr. Sampson explains the theological reality of PRAYER and provides practical ways for the reader to apply its truth and experience the power of PRAYER. 

Portraits of a Pastor's Heart

Portraits of a Pastor's Heart will provide you with fresh devotional thoughts for today's busy believers. Contact our church office @ 706.866.0325 and reserve your copy today!

The Matchless Power of the Cross

You will see in the pages that follow, what can happen to a person when one chooses to be identified with Christ's grace and forgiveness. No matter what wrong has been committed, or injustices that have been displayed, grace can overcome. When a person chooses to forgive based on Christ's redeeming love for them, they become an active presentation to a watching world, of the beauty, grace, and surpassing significance of—The Matchless Power of the Cross.

Contact the church office @ 706.866.0325 and order this 88-page book on Paul's letter to Philemon. The book will help you to discover the great riches of Christ's redemptive cross.

Dominican Deliverance

In Dominican Deliverance, Dr. Sampson presents the theology of missions in the Old and New Testaments. Focusing on a missions motif of the glory of Christ's story within the missional history of God's people. The book will explore the history of missions in the Dominican Republic, along with the missional advances of Parkway Baptist. 

Click Here to Learn More

"I pray that these books will be a blessing and help you on your spiritual journey with Christ." -Dr. David Sampson

Pastor's Message of Salvation

At some point along life’s journey, we come face-to-face with the reality of our own inadequacy. The challenges, struggles, and uncertainties of life reveal that we are not as in control as we once believed. We begin to realize that, no matter how hard we work or how much we achieve, the things we’ve pursued—success, wealth, relationships, prestige, or power—never truly satisfy the deepest longings of our soul. These pursuits may bring temporary happiness, but before long, the emptiness returns, leaving us searching for something more.

Perhaps you’ve found yourself asking this question:
"Is there more to life than what I’m experiencing now?"

Dear friend, I want you to know that this feeling of emptiness is not an accident. It’s a God-shaped void within your heart—a space that no amount of earthly success or pleasure can fill. That void was placed there by the Creator Himself, and it can only be filled by the ONE who loves you more than anyone ever could. His name is Jesus Christ.

Jesus loves you so much that He gave His life for you. He died on the cross so that you could experience forgiveness, purpose, and eternal life. The peace and fulfillment you seek can only be found in Him.

I want you to understand that this void can only be filled by the ONE who loved you so much that He died for you. That person is the Lord Jesus Christ. Let me explain this life-changing experience in five simple points: 

I. The Problem in Man

God made man in His own image. He gave man the ability to choose right from wrong. The Bible states, however, that all men have chosen sin. Therefore, our sin has separated us from God. The Bible says: 

  • Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
  • Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
II. The Practice of Man

Man has tried many ways to restore this lost relationship with God. However, no amount of effort or good deed on our part can ever pay for our sin.

  • Titus 3:5 ”Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
  • Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Some believe that there are many ways to God. However, the Bible teaches that there is only one way to God, and it is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

III. The Provision for Man

Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for man's sin and to restore humanity's broken relationship with God. Read what the Bible says in the following verses:

  • ”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).
  • But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
IV. The Prayer of Man

Knowing all these Bible truths presented here intellectually is not enough. You must act upon them by trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You must believe in Him by faith to receive His free gift of salvation. The process by which you ask for salvation is called prayer. The Apostle Paul said, 

  • "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9).
V.  The Peace for Man

You can receive Jesus Christ right now, wherever you are, whoever you are, and no matter what you have done. His free gift of salvation is your only hope in receiving forgiveness of sins and eternal life. 

Here's all that you need to do:

  1. Admit your need. "I am a sinner."
  2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
  3. Believe that Jesus died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
  4. Pray and invite Jesus Christ to come into your heart and to guide your life through the person of The Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior today.)

    There are no exact words you have to pray to be saved. Simply put your faith in Him and pray something like this:
    "Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and in need of your forgiveness. I believe that if I died today, I would not go to Heaven. I believe that you died for my sins. Lord, I ask you to come into my heart and forgive me of my sin. Help me to receive this life you have given me. In Jesus name, Amen!”

    If you have prayed this prayer, you can know for sure that God heard you and has forgiven your sins.

The Bible says:

  • Romans 10:13 ”For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
  • I John 5:12-13 ”He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

If you have prayed the above prayer, you have just made life's most important decision. I would love to celebrate this wonderful moment with you. Please go to our Contact Us page and send us an email to share the good news with us. The people of Parkway Baptist will commit to praying for you as you begin your new life and journey with Jesus Christ. God bless you!

Missional Until He Comes,
Dr. David Sampson
Senior Pastor
Titus 1:3

Pastor's Devotional

Spiritual Warfare: The Battle for God's Glory

by Dr. David Sampson 

There is an ongoing war that takes place every day. It is not a war over land or possessions; it is a matter of Lordship. This battle is not waged with conventional weapons nor fought on traditional battlegrounds. Instead, it is a cosmic struggle, a spiritual warfare that unfolds daily for the ultimate sovereignty over humanity's hearts, minds, and souls.

The struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, has been a constant theme in the spiritual realm since the dawn of creation. This conflict has echoed through the corridors of history, leaving its mark on every civilization and culture. From the biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to the present day, this battle has been fought on multiple fronts. It has taken many forms, from the struggle between rival nations and religions to the inner spiritual conflict within each individual soul. Despite the changing times, spiritual conflict persists, reminding us that the forces of good and evil are always at work. At its core lies the insidious ambition of the adversary, Satan, whose nefarious agenda seeks to usurp God's rightful glory through deception, distortion, and the desecration of truth. Yet, amid this spiritual conflict's mayhem, believers are called to arms (Ephesians 6:10–11). Empowered by the indwelling Spirit of God, they are entrusted with the sacred task of proclaiming the gospel of Christ (Matthew 28:19–20)—a gospel message of faith, hope, and love (Romans 15:13).

As expressed in the words of the apostle Paul, believers are enlisted as soldiers in spiritual warfare (2 Timothy 2:3), equipped not with earthly weapons but with divine armaments forged in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12–18 & 2 Peter 1:3–4). These spiritual weapons are infused with divine power from God and can dismantle and destroy spiritual strongholds built by the forces of darkness (2 Corinthians 10:4). They are also effective in combating false ideologies and vain philosophies that try to exalt themselves above the knowledge of God (Colossians 2:3–10).

In his insightful commentary on Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 10:4, Dr. Warren Wiersbe emphasizes the significance of the word "warfare" that the apostle used. Drawing from the Greek term "strateia," Wiersbe argues that the word translated “warfare” means "campaign.” He highlights the magnitude of the spiritual conflict by saying, “Paul was not simply fighting a little skirmish in Corinth; the attack of the enemy there was part of a large satanic campaign. The powers of hell are still trying to destroy the work of God (Matt. 16:18), and it is important that we not yield any ground to the enemy, not even one church!”[1] It is worth noting that spiritual warfare is not merely a localized skirmish but rather a comprehensive assault orchestrated by the forces of darkness against the kingdom of God. Satan's plan is a meticulously orchestrated demonic campaign aimed at undermining the glory of God and subverting His redemptive purposes.

However, amidst the onslaught of spiritual adversaries, believers are admonished to stand firm, unwavering in their allegiance to the cause of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:58). They are called to resist the wiles of the devil, to cast down every lofty stronghold, and to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Through fervent prayer, unwavering faith, and steadfast adherence to the truth of God's Word, believers can emerge victorious in spiritual warfare, advancing the kingdom of God and proclaiming the glory of His story to the uttermost parts of the world (Mark 16:5; Galatians 5:11; Ephesians 6:13–18; II Corinthians 10:5; 1 John 5:4–5; Revelation 21:7).

In conclusion, spiritual warfare is a multifaceted conflict encompassing individual and collective dimensions. It is a battle for humanity's hearts, minds, and souls, a struggle against the principalities and powers of darkness that seek to hinder God's redemptive purposes. Yet, with divine empowerment and unwavering faith, believers can emerge triumphant, wielding the spiritual weapons of prayer, faith, and truth, and advancing the cause of Christ in a world besieged by darkness. As believers move forward in faith, they must remember the words of Christ: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

_____________________

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 665.

Pastor's Devotional

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