6th Pastor
Reverend Franklin D. Sampson Junior
The son of Dr. F. D. Sampson, Sr. and Mrs. F. Marie Sampson, Reverend Franklin D. Sampson, Jr. is the second child of three (DeAnza Michelle and Frederick Dewayne) and the first son born to that union. He is married to the former Ms. Kristina N. Reece, and together they are blessed with two wonderful and strong young boys, Franklin Delano Sampson, III and Fraylon DeShawn Sampson.
Reverend Sampson has always strived to please God in his life, acknowledging that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” He was baptized at a young age, later accepting God’s call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ on July 28, 1999. He preached his first sermon on August 1, 1999, and was licensed to preach on December 31 of the same year. After rigorous testing before the Presbytery, he was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel on July 29, 2001.
A dedicated political activist, Reverend Sampson advocates for equal rights for all citizens, especially children of God. He is a Prince Hall affiliated 33rd Degree Freemason (Grand Inspector General) with memberships in Purple Heart Lodge #205, Douglas Burrell Consistory #56, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the United Supreme Council. He serves as an officer for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of Texas as the Right Reverend Grand Chaplain, a position he was appointed to in February 2014. He also served as the president of his local lodge for nearly ten years, becoming one of the youngest to serve in that capacity in the state of Texas. Through his leadership, he initiated community programs such as providing school supplies, bicycles for students, feeding the homeless, and promoting voter registration, among many others.
Reverend Sampson has always been committed to serving his community. While pursuing his undergraduate studies at Prairie View A&M University, he worked as Special Assistant to the Mayor of Prairie View and Assistant to the City Judge. He also played a key role in the development of two neighborhoods and has been involved in the construction and rehabilitation of homes in Waller, Harris, Montgomery, and Galveston counties before reaching the age of thirty.
On October 5, 2008, Reverend Sampson was appointed Assistant Pastor at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Houston, Texas. On November 6, 2011, he was unanimously selected as the sixth Pastor in the church’s rich history, becoming the third “Sampson” to lead the congregation. He has served as an officer in The National Baptist Convention of America, International, Inc., as the Director of Social Media since June 2014. He is currently the Director of Guidance and Counseling for the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, which is the third-largest district in the state of Texas, overseeing 280 counselors and supporting 117,000 students. At 41, he became one of the youngest administrators to hold this leadership role.
In January 2022, Reverend Sampson was elected Vice President of the Lone Star State School Counselor Association (LSSSCA), the second-largest school counseling association in Texas. This role has allowed him to continue advocating for school counselors and enhancing student support systems across the state. Reverend Sampson also serves as Vice President of Operations for S.J.G. Investors & Associates, LLC, where he helps small businesses develop and grow. He has served on many boards and continues to offer consulting services to support business owners in their endeavors.
Reverend Sampson’s academic accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Master of Arts in Counseling, and being inducted into the Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society. Rev. Sampson is certified earned in Special Education, Professional School Counseling, and Administration (Principal) from the Texas Education Board.
He earned his Doctorate in Ministry from St. Thomas Christian University in Florida in November 2019. He believes in lifelong learning, consistently studying God’s Word and pursuing knowledge to share with those who are lost and to encourage those who are saved. Additionally, in August 2023, Reverend Sampson was honored with an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from Theocracy School of Religion in Texas for his contributions to both spiritual and community leadership.
An accomplished Bass and Lead Guitarist, Reverend Sampson produced the Gospel music album “Believe”, a collaboration with his father, uncles, and cousins. While proud of his accomplishments, Reverend Sampson holds close the simple message from one of his album’s songs: “Just tell them I am a child of God!” He has also produced a second album entitled, “Hymns of Preparation” and all love the collection of hymns of the church.
While proud of the milestones in his personal, professional, and spiritual life, Reverend Sampson remains steadfast in his mission to serve and uplift others, continually seeking to share God’s love through both word and action.
