Sam Ivy will lead the Collegiate Ministries Department at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board in Jackson. He replaces Lloyd Lunceford, who retired in June.
Ivy, who was selected Dec. 6, has been serving as the Baptist Student Union director at the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus and East Mississippi Community College in Scooba. He will begin his new position in early January.
Experience and hard work
“Sam brings experience at every level of campus ministry within the Mississippi landscape,” said Shawn Parker, MBCB executive director-treasurer.
“He’s been involved in the community college, the major four-year university and the smaller four-year campus as well,” Parker noted. “I’m thankful to have someone who has experience at each of these levels and can lead this work from personal insight.
Parker added, “On top of that, he’s done a remarkable job at MUW of establishing a solid program through both evangelism and discipleship efforts. I’m confident he’s going to work hard to strengthen what is already one of the marquis ministries of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.
“I’d encourage everyone to pray for him and his family during this transition.”
Ivy, a Pontotoc native, holds a master of arts degree in pastoral ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He also holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering degree from Mississippi State University in Starkville and an associate of arts degree from Itawamba Community College in Fulton.
He is currently enrolled in the doctor of ministry degree program at New Orleans Seminary.
Ivy served from May–August 2017 as a camp counselor at Central Hills Retreat and as BSU director for MUW/EMCC from August 2018 to the present.
‘A passion for serving’
David Hamilton, senior pastor of West Heights Church, Pontotoc, and currently chairman of the MBCB Executive Committee, was Ivy’s childhood pastor.
“I don’t know of anyone who would be a better fit for this position than Sam Ivy,” said Hamilton, who noted Ivy was active in the church’s youth department. “He was always a leader among our youth and was willing to serve anywhere he was asked to.
“When Dr. Parker asked me what I thought about Sam for this position, my first thought was, ‘You won’t find anyone who will work harder.’ Sam has a passion for serving Jesus and he has a passion for collegiate ministry. I have no doubt that he is the person for this ministry at this time,” Hamilton said.
Ivy and his wife of three years, Abby, are expecting their first child.
“It is an honor to serve in the Baptist Student Union ministry that God used to bless my life in so many ways,” Ivy wrote in a statement to The Baptist Record after his selection.
The collegiate ministry program and BSU campus locations are supported by the Mississippi Cooperative Program and direct gifts from local churches. BSU members also personally raise funds for ministry and missions efforts.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by William Perkins and originally published by the Baptist Record.
