Reverend
Dr. James B. Sampson
was born April 29, 1959 to the parents of James
and Catherine Sampson. A native of
Jacksonville, he attended the local schools. He
was converted at the age of 18, and called to
the ministry at United Tabernacle Baptist Church
at age 20, under the leadership of Pastor Tony
Neal, Jr.
At age 21, in a little
wooden church in Black Bottom called St. Joseph
Missionary Baptist Church, he married his lovely
wife Shelia with Pastor H. T. Rhim performing
the ceremony. They are the proud parents of one
daughter (Jaime), and two sons (James and Joel).
On March 21, 1986 Rev.
Sampson was called to First New Zion Missionary
Baptist Church where he enjoys teaching,
preaching and evangelism. Pastor Sampson is a
man of vision. He is fully aware of God’s
purpose and plan for his life, and willing to do
whatever it takes to accomplish the task God has
entrusted to him. Through his leadership First
New Zion purchased and built a beautiful
sanctuary to the glory of God on 5 acres of
land; purchased a facility that sits on 11 acres
of land adjacent to the church, and is now
operating as Zion Christian Academy; purchased
property directly across the streets from the
church (that consist of a 6,552. sq. ft
building) and 2 acres of land, which is now in
the process of being renovated into a restaurant
and office space for small businesses.
Pastor Sampson was elected
president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of
Duval & Adjacent Counties in November 1998 and
served as president until 2006. He received an
Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree on June 25,
2000 from the Southern Baptist School for
Biblical Studies. He served as 2nd
Vice President and Chairman of Budget and
Planning for the Florida General Baptist
Convention, Inc. On April 4, 2007, Pastor
Sampson was elected President of the Florida
General Baptist Convention, Inc., during the
“132nd” Annual Session, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
He is a member of the African –American
Minister Leadership Alliance; Officer of
Jacksonville Leadership Conference; member of
the local SCLC & NAACP branch; a graduate of the
Summer Leadership Institute of Harvard
University, and the founder and CEO of H. O. P.
E. Inc., of Jacksonville, a 501 (c) 3
organization.
In December 2001 The Lord
blessed the community through Pastor Sampson to
acquire what is currently known as HOPE PLAZA,
which consists of a six-story office complex and
32 acres of land. This property is located at
435 Clark Road, and is the home office for
H.O.P.E., Inc. of Jacksonville.
Above all of his
accomplishments the love for teaching,
preaching, and evangelism remains first in
Pastor Sampson's heart.
