The Board of General Superintendents (BGS) announced the election of Samuel Barber as global director of Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI), effective 1 August 2024.

Barber currently serves as the superintendent of the South Central Ohio District.

“Sam Barber has a proven track record for holiness discipleship as a pastor and district superintendent,” said General Superintendent David Busic. “He is respected by global NDI leaders for his teaching, writing, and advocacy for Nazarene discipleship around the world. The BGS is confident he will continue to build on the strong momentum that Scott Rainey and the Global NDI Council has helped create for Journey of Grace.”

Barber replaces Scott Rainey, who served as global NDI director from 2018 to 2024. Sam and his wife, Jill, currently reside in Grove City, Ohio.

“Discipleship is the heart of the gospel and the Church of the Nazarene,” Barber said. “I am humbled to carry on the work of the church to make Christlike disciples in the nations.”

Sam attended Mount Vernon Nazarene University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1989. He joined the pastoral staff at Warren First Church of the Nazarene in Ohio before pastoring Louisville Church of the Nazarene (now Shepherd’s Hill) in Ohio, serving from 1991 to 1997.

During that time, he earned a master’s degree in Christian ministries and church leadership from Malone University. In 1999, Sam moved to North Carolina to complete his master’s degree in theological studies from Duke University. While completing his studies, he served at Elon Power Line Church of the Nazarene until 2003.

Sam returned to his home state of Ohio to pastor Troy First Church of the Nazarene (2003-2007) and Columbus Shepherd Church of the Nazarene (2007-2014). In 2014, he moved to Lenexa, Kansas, to pastor Central Church of the Nazarene. While serving in Kansas City, he earned his Doctor of Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 2020.

Sam was elected superintendent of the South Central Ohio District in April of 2022. In 2023, he authored the book A People of Grace: Becoming Disciples Together.