6th Pastor
Reverend Franklin D. Sampson Junior
The son of Dr. F. D. Sampson, Sr. and Mrs. F. Marie Sampson. He is the second child of three and the first son born to that union (DeAnza Michelle and Frederick Dewayne). He is the husband of the former Ms. Kristina Nacol Reece. This union was 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, yet realizing “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” He was baptized at a young age, and later accepted the call from God on his life to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ on July 28th of the year nineteen hundred and ninety-nine. He preached his first sermon on August 1, nineteen hundred and ninety-nine. He was licensed to preach on December 31st of the same year. He was later tried before the Presbytery with numerous questions and passed in order to become ordained as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ July 29th in the year of two thousand-one.
Reverend Sampson is a political activist and shares a deep concern for equal rights to all citizens, especially children of God! He is a Prince Hall affiliated 33rd Degree Freemason (Grand Inspector General) with memberships to 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. He was selected for the position in February of 2014. He has also served as the president of his local lodge for nearly ten years. He became one of the youngest individuals to serve in that capacity in the state of Texas during his tutelage. He was able to immediately impact many in the community with numerous efforts to build up a “fading” community. He spearheaded efforts and collaborated with neighborhood churches and organizations to provide school supplies for students of all grade levels, provided numerous bikes for students without transportation, fed the homeless, painted buildings in the community, increased voter`s registration, and a host of many other community-building activities! During his undergraduate studies on “The Hill, ” Reverend Sampson started to get involved in the community where he attended school. He served as the Special Assistant to the Mayor of the city of Prairie View, and also served as the Assistant to the City Judge in the city of Prairie View, TX. He has also been very influential in providing housing for multiple communities. He has personally assisted with the implementation and development of two neighborhoods! He has been involved in the constructing and rehabilitating of many homes in Waller, Harris, Montgomery, and Galveston counties. Reverend Sampson was able to accomplish this before reaching the age of thirty. Rev. Sampson believes strongly in the solitude of family and attempts to provide quality housing, education, and guidance to all with whom he comes into contact on a consistent basis.
Reverend Sampson was appointed as the Assistant Pastor at “the church where you have a friend for life,” Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Houston, Texas on October 5, 2008. He has remained faithful to God, his church, and his Pastor. He has held every position in the church except that of a deacon. On November 6, 2011, he was unanimously selected as the sixth Pastor in the rich history of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Inc. during a session in the “Church Convention!” He will be the third “Sampson” to lead the precious, productive, and positive members of Friendship Baptist Church! He also accepted the opportunity to serve as an officer in one of the largest Baptist convention bodies in the United States, The National Baptist Convention of America, International, Inc. He accepted the appointment in June of 2014 as the Director of Social Media, which is a vital part of the convention and mass it’s mass publication efforts. He is also currently the Director of Guidance and Counseling in the third largest school district in the state of Texas, Cypress Fairbanks I.S.D. He is charged with the responsibility of Directing 270 counselors in a district with 115,000 students. At the age of 41, he became one of the youngest administrators to hold that type of position. Reverend Sampson also serves in the capacity of Vice President of Operations for S.J.G. Investors & Associates, LLC. While functioning in that role, he helps with the development, reconstruction, and enhancement of small businesses. Reverend Sampson has sat on many different Boards, or was selected as an Officer or Director. He continues to consult and utilize his knowledge to assist small businesses.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Master of Arts in Counseling, and being inducted into Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society, Rev. Sampson began facilitating as an Instructor and an Advisor at Prairie View A & M University. Reverend Sampson saw a true need to help young people in a more efficient way. He continued to add to his repertoire by enrolling in postgraduate courses to gain a temporary license from the state of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor. He obtained this accomplishment at the tender age of twenty-four! He also decided to gain additional certifications from the state of Texas’ Education Board in the fields of Special Education, Counseling, and Administration (Principal).
Reverend Sampson has always tried to keep moving forward! He is currently working on his Doctorate in the field of Ministry. He believes that we are all “life-long learners!” He continues to study God’s Word to share with those who are lost and encourage those who are saved. Reverend Sampson is also an accomplished Bass and Lead Guitarist. Additionally, he produced a hit Gospel music album entitled, “Believe!” That project was a collaboration of his talented father, uncles, and cousins. Reverend Sampson believes in a simple message- accomplishments are good, but like one of the songs from the “Believe” CD states, “just tell them I am a child of God!”
