For Such A Time As This
Born in rural Kenya Sammy's relationship with Christ has been robust since the earliest he remembers. At the age of eight, he felt a special call from God to be a communicator of the message of hope to this generation. At that time, he preached his first sermon, five minutes long, to a surprised High School audience.
Following college in Kenya and a three-year period as a manager with Air France in Nairobi, He felt a tag from the Lord to commit fultime to global evangelism. The pursuit of that call brought Sammy to the United States in January 1998, with only U.S. $ 50 on a cold 30 below zero Minnesota winter night.
Since then, God has given Sammy a local ministry that touches thousands of people around the United States and the world each year. The Festivals of Hope in places like Rwanda, DR. Congo, or even India draw as many as 60,000 people to hear the Good News of the Kingdom. Thousands have come to embrace Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior as a result. Equally, the Leadership and Governance Conferences have equipped several thousands of Christian leaders to lead like Jesus, among them prominent business people, politiicians, and church pastors.
In all these, Sammy maintains that he has little to do with the outcome. God has everything to do with it. "I am a 'no name,' 'no fame' rural-born preachers' kid who believes in a big God," he quips.
As he connects with audiences from all walks and stations in life, it becomes clear to all that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extra-ordinary things. Notes Robert Stadler, PhD, a Harvard and MIT graduate and current chairman of the board of directors for SWIM, "My life and faith have been greatly enriched from the day I met Sammy almost 6 years ago, when I heard him preach for the first time. He was a guest preacher at my home church in Minneapolis and I was captivated by his passion for Christ, his biblical wisdom, and his exceptional oratory skills. I have been blessed to serve on the board of directors of SWIM, to see firsthand what God is doing through SWIM.
"I recently spent two weeks in Rwanda and Congo with the ministry team. Sammy spoke with powerful authority, teaching and encouraging in a wide variety of situations with brilliant application of Biblical wisdom. The crowds of poorly educated unbelievers, the pastors and church leaders, the prominent businessmen, members of parliament, and the provincial governor. This was a life changing event for me."
As partains to his passion in working with world leaders to promote good leadership and governance, Sammy says it is not enough to confront personal sin. The church, as the hope of the world, must equally confront systemic and social sin that characterizes the majority of the world order. Among SWIM's recent initiatives is an annual conference on Leadership and Good Governance in the East and Central Africa region that draws together political, religious and business leaders to engage on issues of leadership, governance, community development, and equity and justice for the citizens from a biblical perspective.
Sammy is married to the love of his life Suzanne, formerly Suzanne Sunderman, a native of Southwest Minnesota. Together, they are unequivocally committed to the work of Jesus
In addition to authoring the book, Scenes From Under The Sky Cathedral, Sammy has contributed to Extraordinary Miracles in the Lives of Ordinary People edited by Therese Marszalek and published by Harrison House Publishers. He has also written and published several articles on Evangelism, Leadership, and Spiritual Formation. He is Founder and President of Shne In the World Int'l Ministries (SWIM). He holds a B.A in Cross-Cultural Studies and a Master of Divinity from Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota. He serves as Pastoral Associate at Westwood Community Church, Excelsior, Minnesota, a 3500 member congregation in Suburban Minneapolis where he is a frequent speaker in Sunday services.   | | 
Shine into the World Int'l Ministries (SWIM)
1130 Grove Circle
Victoria, MN 55386, USA
Tel: 612-220-7999
Fax: 952-224-7301
Comments & Endorsements
"As a called communicator, Sammy has a unique gift to the Church to bring the message of Jesus Christ to this generation. His godliness, character, preparation, and persistence to go to the whole world add credibility to his message." Dr. Tim Robnett, International Director for Luis Palau Evangelistic Association's Next Generation Alliance
"He is young, energetic, and result-oriented with a clear call of God to bring the message of salvation to the world. His lifestyle and ministry exemplify that of Christ" Rev. Steve Mutua, Int'l Director, Reinhard Bonnke Ministries.
"If you know anything about Sammy, you've seen vision and action. He demostrates hope. He is contagious to be around." Dr. Joel Johnson, Pastor, Westwood Community Church, Chanhassen, MN.
"He is definitely one of the most powerful young gospel communicators in the United States and around the world today. He has integrity, passion, and a commitment to reaching thousands of people with the message of Jesus Christ." Rev. Gary Brothers , Pastor, Cape First Family, Cape Girardeau, MO.
Sammy Wanyonyi is part of the Next Generation Alliance (NGA) of the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association and of the Proclamation Evangelism Network (PEN) of the Billy Graham Center.
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