Samuel Pulley, 36

Samuel Pulley grew up a pastor's kid. After seeing first hand a dad who ministered for the Lord, Samuel began feeling a call to the same work.

After many years serving in various types of ministry, Samuel began to make plans to start a church in Malden. He felt that God led him directly to that location- one he was familiar with, having spent many years there in his childhood.

In 1978, Samuel was born the youngest child having seven older brothers and sisters. The family lived in Malden at the time, but they also lived in Parma, Poplar Bluff, and Sikeston.

While in high school, Samuel was part of the offensive and defensive line for the Sikeston Bulldogs football team. He was a musician at his church having taken piano lessons and having a talent for also playing by ear- always having a special fondness for music and musicians. He also enjoyed riding his bike and hanging out with his friends.

In 1998, he graduated from high school at Sikeston. He attended IET Tech in Paducah learning to calibrate computers.

In 2001, he married his wife Yavonda.

In 2002, Samuel got involved in ministry and was the next year ordained as a minister. In 2004, he began acting as a visiting preacher to local churches.

Beginning in 2005 and continuing for about four years, he traveled with a Gospel group to Illinois, Ohio, and in Missouri. He played the piano for them and managed the group.

While working a full-time job and helping rear the couple's four children, Vonneicia Heerion, Isaiah, Zekiah, and Samuel, Jr., ministry continued to grow. Samuel had been doing evangelistic work and hosting outside tent revivals.

"I had a desire for soul winning and winning people to Christ," Samuel recalls.

Samuel and his wife began praying for guidance as to what their next ministry step would be.

When he spoke to his dad about his desire to pastor a church, his dad, under whose leadership Samuel had for many years ministered, told him that that was what he had been preparing for.

In June 2012, New Image Church in Malden began. Samuel and his family lived in Sikeston and until recently traveled from Sikeston to Malden for church events.

In order to spread the word that the church was beginning, they talked to many people and did street preaching.

For about one year prior, the family began to make plans concerning the new church.

When they first began, the family conducted much of the church service. In addition to several singers in the family, both sons play the drums, the oldest daughter plays the organ and viola, one son plays the bass guitar, and the youngest daughter is learning to play the organ.

In the nearly three years the church has been open- they have continued to grow.

Samuel remembers that in their first revival service, eleven people made decisions to follow Christ.

Though the main goal for Samuel, his wife, and the church is to win as many to Christ as possible, an initial vision for the church was to get the building up to par. It had been vacant for quite some time.

Early on, the church had free food days when they served chili and beef stew.

In their second year, they were able to start a Helping Hands ministry that assists elderly individuals who need help with things such as having their lawn mowed or house cleaned.

The church also now has a clothing ministry which provides clothing for families who have experienced a burn-out or other needs.

"If they are in need of anything, they can come get what they want," Samuel explained.

He also made clear that the church hopes to help the total man, which eventually could include a homeless ministry, addiction ministry, an after-school program for students, job-placement assistance, and finding homes for battered men and women.

Yavonda even hopes to eventually open a salon focusing on assisting young children and the elderly in the care of their hair.

Samuel and Yavonda also have some personal goals and hope to take their family to Disney World.

At least once a month, they go out as a family. They use this time to catch up and see what is on the mind of the children.

"We try to keep an open relationship with them so they're comfortable."

They hope to continue to support their children while completing high school and going on to college. More importantly, they hope each of their children grow to know the Lord.

Samuel said that a scripture verse that is important to him is Romans 5:8 which says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Samuel desires that in all he does, he can show people Christ and be a blessing to them.