The Mountain Bible Church (MBC) family would like to announce the hiring of Sam Ames as Family Pastor and welcome the Ames family back to Tehachapi to continue their work with young people and families in our community.

Sam Ames comes to Mountain Bible from Valley Baptist in Bakersfield where he was overseeing the junior high ministry. Prior to that, Sam served as Youth Pastor at Roots Christian Fellowship in Tehachapi where he was able to create deep relationships with junior high and high school students, building the ministry from 30 kids to 100 kids even during the challenges brought on by the pandemic. He and his wife Patty taught students the Gospel, showed them the love of Jesus, and encouraged them to be the light on their campus, in their neighborhoods, and in their homes. They also led the Fellowship of Christian Athletes ministry at Tehachapi High School. The Ameses relocated to Bakersfield following the dissolution of Roots Christian Fellowship but were eager to return to Tehachapi and rekindle their established relationships with local families.

Sam is from San Jose, Calif. and Patty is from Bakersfield, Calif. Sam attended Abilene Christian University and Colorado Christian University where he pursued his Bachelor's in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Theology. While completing his degree at Abilene Christian, he accepted a position as Resident Director at Hume Lake Christian Camps in the summer of 2016. Alongside his team of resident directors, he oversaw more than 400 staff members in three different camps. Living at Hume and being able to help lead staff members closer to Jesus was amazing for him. He witnessed first-hand lives transformed by the Gospel, and hearts changed forever.

MBC is thrilled to have the opportunity to employ Sam as its Family Pastor and is looking forward to the impact that Sam, Patty and the Ames family will have on Tehachapi's youth. Sam brings experience of growing student ministries by teaching, leading, disciplining, and having fun. He and Patty cannot wait to see what God has in store for their ministry at Mountain Bible Church. They are ready to live the vision of MBC – to promote grace, proclaim the good news and practice truth in love. His prayer is that he may be a living example of these three pillars, that he will lead by example for all to see, and that Mountain Bible Church will be a place where students experience the presence of God and dive deeper into a life-long journey of following Jesus.

Sam will be preaching Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Mountain Bible Church, 630 Maple St. Come out and welcome Sam and his family back to Tehachapi.