About Sam Rainer

Pastor • Consultant • Author • Podcaster

Sam Rainer is President of Church Answers and Lead Pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church, where he guides a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, and multi-campus congregation focused on neighborhood mission and revitalization. His pastoral leadership—spanning churches in Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana—has been marked by renewed health, attendance growth, expanded missions, and strategic facility development .

An author of over 1,000 articles and numerous books, Sam writes and speaks nationally on church health, leadership, revitalization, and community engagement. His work has appeared in publications such as Outreach Magazine, Church Executive, and The Gospel Coalition, and he has been interviewed on national television and radio . He previously co-founded Rainer Publishing, has served on multiple nonprofit boards, and has taught at Southern and Southeastern Seminaries. Sam holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Dallas Baptist University. He and his wife, Erin, live in Bradenton with their four children.

Fun fact: Sam is also a lifelong runner, competing in marathons, ultramarathons, and 100-mile trail races.