Sam Harbin is blessed to have been a follower of Jesus Christ since childhood, and brings more than 40 years of experience in pastoral and Christian higher education ministry to the classroom. He has served in a variety of roles, including assistant pastor, senior pastor, seminary chaplain and professor, and seminary president. His ministry has taken him throughout the United States and to seven countries internationally.

Sam holds degrees from Indiana Baptist College (B.A., 1982), Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity, 1985), and Dallas Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry, 2001). His doctoral studies focused on effective interpretation and communication of Old Testament narratives.

After ten years as Chair of the Bible & Theology department, Sam assumed the role of Program Chair for Graduate Studies in the School of Bible and Ministry in 2024.

Sam teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the areas of hermeneutics, English Bible, and homiletics. He also maintains an active speaking and consulting ministry and particularly enjoys serving local churches who are in the pastoral search process. He holds pastoral counseling certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.

A native of southern Indiana, Sam’s hobbies include following Indiana University “Hoosier” basketball, woodworking, bluegrass music, and playing several stringed instruments. Sam and his wife, Elaine, have three grown sons and five grandchildren. They reside in Manheim, PA.

Education:

DMin, Dallas Theological Seminary,
MDiv, Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary,
BA, Indiana Baptist College, Pastoral Studies

Publications/Creative Works:

• “The Office of Deacon in the Local Church,” Calvary Baptist Theological Journal 2:2 (Fall 1986): 22-28.
• “The Emerging Church: A Journey Back to the Future,” Frontline Magazine, July-August 2005:37-39.
• “Transformed Hearts, Transformed Homes: An Imaginative Dramatic Narrative Sermon for Father’s Day,” Preaching Journal (online edition), (May-June 2007).

Fun Fact:

Hobbies: Indiana Hoosiers basketball, playing stringed instruments, woodworking, hunting

Verse:

“Him (Christ) we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Col. 1:28)