Professor of Christian Ministries
Chair, Christian Ministry & Intercultural Studies Department
503-316-3387
Education
- B.A. Psychology – Biola University
- M.A. Christian Education – Biola University, Talbot School of Theology
- Ed.D. George Fox University
Professional
Dr. Baker teaches Christian ministry and upper division Bible and theology courses, and he serves as chair of the Christian Ministry & Intercultural Studies department. He has more than 30 years of ministry experience, having served churches in California, Oregon, and Washington in the following areas: youth ministry, children’s ministry, sports and recreation ministries, men’s ministry, adult ministries, family ministries, pastoral care and counseling, church administration, and Christian education. He also serves as a ministry trainer, camp speaker, conference workshop and seminar speaker, church leadership consultant, and regular pulpit supply.
Dr. Baker is a member of the Society of Professors of Christian Education (SPCE), the Association of Youth Ministry Educators (AYME), and the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (IASYM). He has had book reviews and articles published in the Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care, Journal of Christian Education, the Journal of Youth and Theology, and other publications. His research interests are in the areas of faith development along the lifespan, spiritual typology, technology’s impact on faith, Christian leadership, and current trends and issues in ministry practice.
Dr. Baker’s most recent and notable research presentations and published articles include the following:
“Practicing the Patience of God: A Response to Technologically-Induced Impatience by Way of Ancient Holy Habit.” Paper presentation at the Oxford Symposium for Religious Studies. Oxford University, Oxford, England, August, 2018; and at the biannual conference of the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry, Durham University, Durham, England, January, 2019.
“Raised a Teenage Kataphatic: Utilising Spiritual Type Theory in Assessing Catechetical Models of Adolescent Faith Development.” Journal of Youth and Theology. Vol. 14, 2015, 45-71.
“Who’s Shaping Whom? Digital Disruption in the Spiritual Lives of Post-familial Emerging Adults.” Journal of Youth and Theology. Vol. 16, No. 2, 2017, 117-143.
“The ‘Circle of Sensibility’: How Spiritual Type Theory Informs an Understanding of Patterns and Preferences in Christian Spirituality.” Journal of Academic Perspectives. Vol. 2016, No. 3, ISSN: 2328-8264.
Personal
Sam has been married to his wife, Alyson, since 1986. They have two daughters, Courtney and Katie, and a son-in-law, Jack, who is married to Katie (all graduates of Corban!). In his spare time, Sam is an avid movie buff, reads mostly non-fiction books, loves spending time with family, enjoys being with students outside of class, and pursues all kinds of sports and recreation activities. He’s also a die-hard Denver Broncos fan… GB2
Why Corban
“Prospective students, and their parents, have asked me this question for years, ‘Why Corban?’ The answer is simple, and always the same, ‘Because of the students!’ There’s something different about working with students at Corban. Their heart, their gifting, their passion and their personalities bear the imprint of God uniquely transforming their lives into something truly amazing. It’s a privilege to be able to come alongside students, helping them to discover and develop their unique place in the Kingdom of God. Soli Deo Gloria!”