Samuel Rodriguez

Last updated
Samuel Rodriguez
Born
Samuel Rodriguez Jr.

(1969-09-29) September 29, 1969 (age 55)
NationalityAmerican
Education Lehigh University (M.A. in Organization Leadership) [1] [2]
Occupation(s)Founder and Pastor, New Season Church
Years active2010–present
SpouseEva [1]
Children3
Website pastorsam.com

Samuel Rodriguez Jr. (born September 29, 1969) is an American Evangelical Christian leader born to Puerto Rican parents in the United States. [3] He is a pastor, movie producer, author, civil rights activist and television personality. He is the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. [4]

Contents

Ministry

At age 16, Rodriguez delivered his first sermon. He quickly grew to be a leading and acclaimed evangelical preacher. [5] In 1992, he became an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal denomination. [1] In 2000, he founded the Hispanic Evangelical Christian organization National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC/CONEL). [6]

Rodriguez became a member of the board of the National Association of Evangelicals in 2006. [7]

Books and films

In June 2016, Rodriguez's book, Be Light, reached #1 on the Los Angeles Times Bestseller List. [8] You Are Next, released in 2019, reached the fourteenth position Publishers Weekly's hardcover nonfiction frontlist sales chart. [9]

Persevere with Power, Rodriguez's 2021 release, made both the English and Spanish bestsellers lists of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA), [10] as well as reaching #20 on ECPA's January 2022 Christian New Releases. [11]

Your Mess, God’s Miracle: The Process Is Temporary, the Promise Is Permanent, released in April 2023, reached #15 on ECPA’s July 2023 Christian New Releases. [12]

Rodriguez's September 2024 book Fresh Oil, Holy Fire, New Wine: Living the Vibrant Holy Spirit-Filled Life was #21 on ECPA's December 2024 Christian New Releases ranking. [13]

Rodriguez was an executive producer of the 20th Century Fox motion picture Breakthrough, [14] which received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song [15] and received a GMA Dove Award for Inspirational Film of the Year. [16]

Rodriguez was an executive producer of the Fox Searchlight film Flamin' Hot , a biopic about the man behind Flamin' Hot Cheetos. The film was produced by DeVon Franklin of Franklin Entertainment and directed by Eva Longoria. [17] [18] The film became Fox Searchlight Pictures' most-watched streaming movie of all time. [19] "The Fire Inside" from Flamin' Hot was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2024.

Political activity

During the George W. Bush administration, Rodriguez advocated for bipartisan discussion on immigration reform. [20] [21] He was brought in as an advisor to Bush and later also served in an advisory capacity for Presidents Obama and Trump. [22] [23] [24] [25] He participated in President Obama’s 2009 inaugural prayer service at Saint Johns Episcopal Church, reading from the Gospel of Luke. [26] He has served on the President's Advisory Council for the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships initiative with the Fatherhood and Healthy Families Task Force and also on the Abortion Reduction Task Force (both under President Obama). [27] [28]

Rodriguez delivered an invocation at the inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20, 2017. [29] In his remarks, Rodriguez read from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. [30] On Inauguration Day, Rodriguez was interviewed by CNN. [31] Rodriguez met with Trump administration officials to discuss a comprehensive immigration reform measure that would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. [32]

Rodriguez and other evangelical leaders signed a January 2017 letter pressing Trump to reconsider his suspension of a refugee resettlement program as that suspension prevented refugees from several countries from emigrating to the U.S. The letter argued that the program provided a lifeline to many oppressed individuals and an opportunity for churches to minister to them. [33] [34]

Also in 2017, Rodriguez was involved in a conversation at the White House with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump that led to the creation of the First Step Act, which helps to prevent individuals who have served time from returning to prison. [23] [24] At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rodriguez joined the Heritage Foundation as a spokesperson for the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission. [35] [36]

Recognition

In 2009, CNN featured Rodriguez in their “Latinos in America”broadcast special, identifying him as one of the most influential Evangelical leaders in the Latino community. [37]

Presented by the Congress of Racial Equality in 2011, Rodriguez was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award. [38] [39]

In 2013, Rodriguez received a nomination for Time Magazine's "Top 100 Most Influential People." [40] Additionally, in 2013, TIME featured him in their cover story titled “The Latino Reformation.” [41]

Rodriguez has been a part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service four times (2010, 2011, 2013 and 2021). [42] [43] [44] [45]

In 2015, Latino Leaders Magazine included him on their "101 Most Influential Leaders" list as the first evangelical leader to make the list. [46] The Wall St. Journal has called Rodriguez one of the top 12 Latino leaders. [47] Rodriguez was also included in Charisma Magazine's "40 People Who Radically Changed Our World" series. [48] He has received honorary doctorates from William Jessup University, Northwest University and Baptist University of the Americas. [49] Rodriguez regularly comments for publications and media outlets such as CNN, Fox News, PBS, Telemundo, NBC and others. [50] [51]

In 2015, Rodriguez and his wife, Eva, received The Rosa Parks Courage Award for their civil rights work from the Southern Youth Leadership Development Institute (SYLDI) and the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA). The award was granted in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. [52]

In 2021, Rodriguez was named one of Israel's Top 50 Christian Allies by the Israel Allies Foundation . [53]

In 2022. Deseret Magazine named Rodriguez one of their 20 "New Reformers", referring to faith leaders "challenging the conservative movement to change", citing his advocacy for granting immigrants immediate citizenship. [54]

In 2024, NBC News stated he was on his way to become one of the most influential figures in American politics. [55]

Rodriguez's influence is felt around the world, with profound impact in Sacramento, California, where leads and pastors New Season Church. In October, 2024, The Sacramento Bee ran a front-page feature [56] of Rodriguez, telling his inspiring journey from a childhood in the Rust Belt city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to becoming a prominent voice in the Latino community. No matter the circumstances, Rodriguez has remained unwavering in his Christian faith and heritage, always giving glory to God. [57] 

Latino Land. [58]

Filmography

Film [59] [ better source needed ]
YearTitleRole
UpcomingCarmenExecutive Producer
UpcomingLeaving MemphisProducer
UpcomingThe Dream KingExecutive Producer
UpcomingDreamProducer
UpcomingA Walking MiracleExecutive Producer
2023Flamin' HotExecutive Producer
2021A Walking MiracleExecutive Producer
2020My Brothers' CrossingExecutive Producer
2020Trump 2024: The World After TrumpHimself
2019BreakthroughExecutive Producer
2018God's Not Dead: A Light in the DarknessHimself
2017In God We Trust: 9/11 Triumph from TragedyHimself
2015Empowered 21: JerusalemHimself
2014Un Reino Sin FronterasHimself
Television [59] [ better source needed ]
YearTitleRoleNotes
2020Ministry NowHimself2 episodes
2013-2020PraiseHimself4 episodes
2019 Fox & Friends Himself1 episode
2015-2019Marcus & JoniHimself2 episodes
2014HuckabeeHimself1 episode, "How Can the Republican Party Win?"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin Graham</span> American Christian evangelist and missionary (born 1952)

William Franklin Graham III is an American evangelist and missionary in the evangelical movement. He frequently engages in Christian revival tours and political commentary. The son of Billy Graham, he is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and of Samaritan's Purse, an international evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization. Graham became a "committed Christian" in 1974 and was ordained in 1982, and has since become a public speaker and author.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheetos</span> Brand of corn puff snack food

Cheetos is a crunchy corn-cheese puff snack brand made by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. Fritos creator Charles Elmer Doolin invented Cheetos in 1948, and began national distribution in the United States. The initial success of Cheetos was a contributing factor to the merger between The Frito Company and H.W. Lay & Company in 1961 to form Frito-Lay. In 1965 Frito-Lay became a subsidiary of The Pepsi-Cola Company, forming PepsiCo, the current owner of the Cheetos brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships</span> U.S. office within the White House Office

The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, formerly the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) was an office within the White House Office that was part of the Executive Office of the President of the United States.

Christian novels are a genre of novels in the tradition of Christian literature, written as a work of fiction focusing on religious events and worldviews.

Alfonso R. Bernard Sr. is the founder, CEO and pastor of the Christian Cultural Center megachurch in Brooklyn, New York. In the 2020s, the CCC is a 37,000+ member church that sits on an 11+1⁄2-acre campus in Brooklyn, New York.

The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a far-right Christian supremacist theological belief and controversial movement that combines elements of Pentecostalism, evangelicalism and the Seven Mountain Mandate to advocate for spiritual warfare to bring about Christian dominion over all aspects of society, and end or weaken the separation of church and state. NAR leaders often call themselves apostles and prophets. The movement was founded by and is heavily associated with C. Peter Wagner.

<i>The Purpose Driven Church</i> Book by Rick Warren

The Purpose Driven Church: Growth Without Compromising Your Message & Mission is a 1995 book by Rick Warren, founder and senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunday Adelaja</span> Ukrainian pastor of Nigerian descent

Sunday Adelaja is the founder and senior pastor of the Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations, an evangelical-charismatic megachurch and a Christian denomination in Kyiv, Ukraine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paula White</span> American television evangelist

Paula Michelle White-Cain is an American televangelist, apostolic leader in the Independent Charismatic movement, and a proponent of prosperity theology.

Since 1937, the United States presidential inauguration has included one or more prayers given by members of the clergy. Since 1933 an associated prayer service either public or private attended by the president-elect has often taken place on the morning of the day. At times a major public or broadcast prayer service takes place after the main ceremony most recently on the next day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joshua DuBois</span> Government official in the US

Joshua DuBois is an executive and former government official who served as the head of the Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the Executive Office of the President of the United States from 2009 to 2013. In February 2013 he stepped down to write a book of devotionals based on the ones he sends Obama, start a consulting firm, and become the weekly religion and community solutions columnist for Newsweek and The Daily Beast. DuBois has been included among "The Root 100" and Ebony Magazine's "Power 150" lists of the most influential African Americans in the country. He also appeared on the cover of Christianity Today magazine as one of the 33 most influential Christian leaders under 33. In September 2017 it was announced that DuBois would become a CNN Contributor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TheCall</span> Prayer meeting organization

TheCall was an organization which sponsored prayer rallies led by Lou Engle along with other Christian leader pastors in the United States. The events requested prayer and fasting by Christians in protest against issues such as same-sex marriage and legal access to elective abortion. TheCall drew support from American Evangelical leaders, but was also criticized for intolerance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bethel Church (Redding)</span> Church in California, United States

Bethel Church is an American non-denominational neo-charismatic megachurch in Redding, California, with over 11,000 members. The church was established in 1952, and is currently led by Bill Johnson. Bethel has its own music labels, Bethel Music and Jesus Culture ministries, which have gained popularity for contemporary worship music. The church runs the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry with over 2,000 students annually.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Jeffress</span> Pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas

Robert James Jeffress Jr. is an American Southern Baptist pastor, author, radio host, and televangelist. He is the senior pastor of the 14,000-member First Baptist Church, a megachurch in Dallas, Texas, and is a Fox News Contributor. His sermons are broadcast on the television and radio program Pathway to Victory, which is broadcast on more than 1,200 television stations in the United States and 28 other countries, and is heard on 900 stations and broadcast live in 195 countries.

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, also known as Nancy Leigh DeMoss, is a prominent Bible teacher, public speaker and founder of Revive Our Hearts ministry for women. In 2015, DeMoss married best-selling author and a former president of Thomas Nelson Publishers, Robert Wolgemuth.

Henry Thomas Blackaby was a Canadian evangelical pastor who was the founder of Blackaby Ministries International. Most known for his best selling study called Experiencing God, he also authored many other books and articles. His books have been translated into more than 40 languages.

Johnnie Moore is an American evangelical leader and businessman who founded the Kairos Company, a public relations firm. Moore is a commissioner for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and president of Congress of Christian Leaders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Montañez</span> Author and businessman

Richard Montañez is an American businessman, motivational speaker, and author.

TruNews is an American far-right fake news website and channel owned and hosted by Rick Wiles. TruNews frequently publishes conspiracy theories in addition to racist, anti-LGBT, antisemitic, and Islamophobic content. It has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

<i>Flamin Hot</i> 2023 film directed by Eva Longoria

Flamin' Hot is a 2023 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Eva Longoria in her feature-length directorial debut. Written by Linda Yvette Chávez and Lewis Colick, it is based on the memoir A Boy, a Burrito and a Cookie: From Janitor to Executive by Richard Montañez, who claims to have invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos. The film stars Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, and Tony Shalhoub.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rev. Samuel Rodriguez Biography. "About Lead Pastors". Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  2. ↑ Board of Trustees of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. "Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary About Us: Leadership Team". Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "100 Influential Protestants You Ought to Know," juicyecumenism.com/2017/12/06
  4. ↑ Bowyer, Jerry. "America's Most Prominent Latino Evangelical Leader On How To Fight Political Darkness". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  5. ↑ "The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez: Ministering to the Needs of His People". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 2012-05-23. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
  6. ↑ Dias, Elizabeth (2013-04-15). "Evangélicos!". Time. ISSN   0040-781X . Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  7. ↑ "Leadership". National Association of Evangelicals. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  8. ↑ "Bestsellers". latimes.com. Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  9. ↑ "Hardcover Frontlist Nonfiction". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Christian Book Expo: ECPA Christian Bestsellers, November 2021".
  11. ↑ "Christian Book Expo: ECPA Christian New Releases, January 2022". christianbookexpo.com. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  12. ↑ "Christian Book Expo: ECPA Christian New Releases, July 2023". christianbookexpo.com. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  13. ↑ "Christian Book Expo: ECPA Christian New Releases, December 2024". christianbookexpo.com. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  14. ↑ "Samuel Rodriguez reveals what convicted him as a pastor while making 'Breakthrough' movie". www.christianpost.com. 24 April 2019.
  15. ↑ "Oscar Nominations 2020: Elton John and Randy Newman Up for Best Original Song, Beyoncé and Thom Yorke Shut Out". Pitchfork. 2020-01-13. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  16. ↑ "'To God Be the Glory': 'Breakthrough' and These Faith-Inspired Films Received Oscar Nods". CBN News. 2020-01-14. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  17. ↑ "Eva Longoria to Direct Biopic About Flamin' Hot Cheetos Creator". Variety. 27 August 2019.
  18. ↑ "That Flamin' Hot Cheetos Movie Is Still Coming, and Eva Longoria Will Direct It". Slash Film. 27 August 2019.
  19. ↑ Gleiberman, Peter Debruge,Owen; Debruge, Peter; Gleiberman, Owen (2023-06-27). "The 10 Best Films of the Year (So Far)". Variety. Retrieved 2023-11-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ↑ "The Call of Samuel". Christianity Today. September 2006.
  21. ↑ "Latinos courted as wild card among shifting evangelical voters". Chicago Tribune. 29 January 2008.
  22. ↑ Williams, Jonny (2023-06-16). "On a Wing and a Prayer: Mike Pence Hitches Presidential Hopes on Fellow Evangelicals". News & Reporting. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  23. 1 2 "White House faith advisor: Donald Trump values faith input more than past presidents - Premier Christian News | Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis". premierchristian.news. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  24. 1 2 "How evangelicals teamed up with the White House on prison reform". Religion News Service. 2018-05-25. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  25. ↑ Goodstein, Laurie (2018-03-27). "'I Know I Will Be Criticized': The Latino Evangelical Who Advises Trump on Immigration". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  26. ↑ "Inaugural Invitation". Assemblies of God News. 12 January 2017.
  27. ↑ "President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships" (PDF). Obama White House Archives. Whitehouse.gov. Retrieved 2013-10-04.
  28. ↑ "Trump's Latino support could grow as Democrats seen as 'party of infanticide'". The Christian Post. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  29. ↑ "Trump inauguration to feature faith leaders, including Franklin Graham, Samuel Rodriguez, and Paula White". www.christiantimes.com. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
  30. ↑ "Scripture read by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Rodriguez at inauguration". CNN. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
  31. ↑ Latino pastor explains inauguration prayer - CNN Video, 19 January 2017, retrieved 2017-02-15
  32. ↑ Michael Gryboski (2016-12-13). "Rev. Samuel Rodriguez 'Impressed' with Trump's promise to help Obama's Dreamers". Christian Post. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  33. ↑ "President Trump, Please Think Again: Evangelical Leaders Plead For Rethink On Refugee Ban | Christian News on Christian Today". www.christiantoday.com. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
  34. ↑ "Letter obtained by Politico" (PDF). Politico.
  35. ↑ "National Coronavirus Recovery Commission Releases Spanish-Language PSA to Promote Health and Safety". The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
  36. ↑ "'There's Beauty in Midst of Ashes,' Pastor on COVID-19 Panel Says". The Daily Signal. 2020-04-20. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
  37. ↑ http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0910/19/cnr.02.html [ bare URL ]
  38. ↑ Darling, Daniel (26 April 2013). "Friday Five Interview: Samuel Rodriquez". CT Pastors. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  39. ↑ "DBU Hosts Hispanic Evangelical Leader Samuel Rodriguez". Dallas Baptist University. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  40. ↑ "The 2013 TIME 100 Poll". Time.
  41. ↑ Dias, Elizabeth (2013-04-15). "Evangélicos!". Time. ISSN   0040-781X . Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  42. ↑ Martin Luther Kings Service by Rev. Samuel Rodriguez Part 2, March 2010, retrieved 2021-07-29
  43. ↑ VIDEO Rev. Samuel Rodriguez Speech at MLK Day Services2.wmv, 17 January 2011, retrieved 2021-07-29
  44. ↑ Rev. Samuel Rodriguez -First Latino Keynote Speaker at Martin Luther King National Service, 21 January 2013, retrieved 2021-07-29
  45. ↑ 2021 King Holiday Observance Beloved Community Commemorative Service, 18 January 2021, retrieved 2021-07-29
  46. ↑ NHCLC. "Sam Rodriguez Named as 1 of 101 Most Influential Latinos in America". Charisma News. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  47. ↑ "Samuel Rodriguez". oru.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  48. ↑ "Charisma Magazine". Charisma Magazine. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  49. ↑ "Samuel Rodriguez". oru.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  50. ↑ "Sam Rodriguez | Guest | Amanpour & Company | PBS". Amanpour & Company. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  51. ↑ Bowyer, Jerry. "America's Most Prominent Latino Evangelical Leader On How To Fight Political Darkness". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  52. ↑ Amos L. Otis | Tennessee State University Newsroom. (n.d.). Tennessee State University Newsroom. Retrieved October 22, 2020, from http://tnstatenewsroom.com/archives/tag/amos-l-otis ‌
  53. ↑ "Israel's Top 50 Christian Allies - 2021".
  54. ↑ "20 leaders who are changing the conversation about religion and politics". Deseret News. 2022-04-12. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  55. ↑ "Latino evangelicals are a growing voter bloc as parties vie for their support". NBC News. 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  56. ↑ "Sun Oct 20th 2024 - 12am Edition". eedition.sacbee.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  57. ↑ "Sun Oct 20th 2024 - 12am Edition". eedition.sacbee.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  58. ↑ Arana, Marie (2024-02-20). LatinoLand. Simon and Schuster. ISBN   978-1-9821-8489-6.
  59. 1 2 "Samuel Rodriguez". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.