Society of Anglican Missionaries & Senders
The information on this page was last updated 12/26/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
The Society of Missionaries and Senders (SAMS) is a missionary sending community. SAMS engages in dynamic relationships with the church worldwide, experiencing the broken restored, the wounded healed, the hungry fed, and the lost found through the love and power of Jesus Christ.
Contact information
Mailing address:
SAMS
PO Box 399
Ambridge, PA 15003-0399
Website: www.samsusa.org
Phone: (724) 266-0669
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 042647396
CEO/President: Stewart Wicker
Chairman: Jeff Rawn
Board size: 14
Founder: Episcopalians
Ruling year: 1978
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1990
Purpose
Vision: SAMS sees a global Anglican family walking together in the way of Jesus to spread Kingdom change throughout our communities.
Mission statement
SAMS' purpose is to recruit, send and support missionaries to be witnesses and make disciples for Jesus Christ in fellowship with the Anglican Church around the world. SAMS' missionaries share the Gospel, establish churches, train national church leaders, and minister socially through medical clinics and Christian schools.
Statement of faith
We affirm our belief in Christianity's historic tradition that is revealed in the Scriptures and summarized in the three Creeds (the Apostles', the Nicene, and the Athanasian) and the Thirty-Nine Articles.
We also recognize the need for reaffirming the following beliefs:
ARTICLE I: The Holy Trinity
The mystery of the Holy Trinity, namely that the one God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, has so revealed Himself to us in the Gospel.
ARTICLE II: The Lord Jesus Christ
The full deity and full humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, who by reason of His birth of the Virgin Mary, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, glorious ascension, and triumphant reign, is the only mediator between God and man.
ARTICLE III: The Holy Scriptures
The trustworthiness of the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as "God's Word written", which contain all things necessary for salvation, teach God's will for His world, and have supreme authority for faith, life, and the continuous renewal and reform of the Church.
ARTICLE IV: Justification and Sanctification
The justification of the repenting and believing sinner as God's gracious act of declaring them righteous on the ground of the reconciling death of Christ, who suffered in our place and rose again for us: and sanctification as the gracious continuing activity of the Holy Spirit in the justified believer, perfecting their repentance, nurturing the new life implanted within them, transforming Them into Christ's image, and enabling them to do good works in the world.
ARTICLE V: The Christian Church
The Church as the body of Christ, whose members belong to the new humanity, are called to live in the world so that the power of the Spirit would be exemplified, worship God, confess His truth, proclaim Christ, support one another in love, and give themselves in sacrificial service to those in need.
ARTICLE VI: Spiritual Gifts and Ministry
The calling of all Christians to exercise their God-given gifts in ministry, and to work, witness and suffer for Christ; together with the particular calling of ordained ministers who, by preaching, teaching and pastoral care, are to equip God's people for His service, and to present them mature in Christ.
ARTICLE VII: The Gospel Sacraments
The sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion as "visible words" proclaim the Gospel and are means of grace, which faith is quickened and strengthened. In particular, the significance of the Lord's Supper as a communion in the Body of Christ, who offers Himself to us in the action of this sacrament, is that by faith we may feed on Him in our hearts and offer ourselves to Him in gratitude for our salvation through His cross.
Also, the openness of the Lord's Table as the place where all baptized believers, being one in Christ, are free to celebrate their common salvation in the Lord and to express their common devotion to His person and His service.
ARTICLE VIII: The Return of Christ
The personal return in glory of our Lord Jesus Christ at the end of this age for the resurrection of the dead (some to life, some to condemnation), for the glorification of His church, and for the renewal of the whole creation.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Foreign Missions
This ministry has not been rated.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 7% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 7% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 99% | 100% | 99% | 99% | 99% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 8% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 1% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 81% | 83% | 84% | 83% | 80% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 105% | 97% | 99% | 90% | 83% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 82% | 85% | 81% | 83% | 74% | 66% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | -5% | 3% | 1% | 10% | 17% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | -8% | 5% | 3% | 21% | 47% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 8% | 19% | 17% | 16% | 17% | 12% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.33 | 1.65 | 1.49 | 1.76 | 1.74 | 2.15 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.23 | 1.40 | 1.37 | 1.41 | 1.34 | 1.11 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.02 | 2.31 | 2.04 | 2.48 | 2.33 | 2.39 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 19.87 | 33.82 | 29.70 | 9.89 | 7.29 | 14.40 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.10 | 0.14 | 0.07 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.62 | 5.05 | 5.67 | 4.35 | 4.45 | 4.67 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 7% | 2% | 2% | 7% | 10% | 6% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 67% | 59% | 65% | 53% | 52% | 44% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
| Cash | $472,057 | $551,663 | $497,434 | $615,595 | $708,446 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $25,603 | $37,421 | $59,403 | $33,663 | $23,222 |
| Short-term investments | $263,635 | $250,729 | $256,570 | $148,646 | $48,404 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $65,000 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $761,295 | $839,813 | $813,407 | $862,904 | $780,072 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $35,809 | $50,659 | $74,346 | $103,448 | $86,822 |
| Other long-term assets | $265,219 | $258,796 | $257,732 | $186,936 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $301,028 | $309,455 | $332,078 | $290,384 | $86,822 |
| Total assets | $1,062,323 | $1,149,268 | $1,145,485 | $1,153,288 | $866,894 |
| Liabilities | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $13,502 | $25,421 | $25,790 | $24,680 | $54,154 |
| Other current liabilities | $9,005 | $2,851 | $56,414 | $93,636 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $22,507 | $28,272 | $82,204 | $118,316 | $54,154 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $22,507 | $28,272 | $82,204 | $118,316 | $54,154 |
| Net assets | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
| Without donor restrictions | $241,113 | $332,209 | $294,801 | $225,859 | ($4,058) |
| With donor restrictions | $798,703 | $788,787 | $768,480 | $809,113 | $816,798 |
| Net assets | $1,039,816 | $1,120,996 | $1,063,281 | $1,034,972 | $812,740 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
| Total contributions | $1,650,516 | $1,768,309 | $2,026,792 | $2,199,894 | $2,236,419 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other revenue | $23,979 | $6,211 | $19,560 | $30,464 | $12,351 |
| Total other revenue | $23,979 | $6,211 | $19,560 | $30,464 | $12,351 |
| Total revenue | $1,674,495 | $1,774,520 | $2,046,352 | $2,230,358 | $2,248,770 |
| Expenses | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
| Program services | $1,430,769 | $1,429,414 | $1,701,558 | $1,661,069 | $1,493,381 |
| Management and general | $324,906 | $287,391 | $316,485 | $347,057 | $215,158 |
| Fundraising | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $156,236 |
| Total expenses | $1,755,675 | $1,716,805 | $2,018,043 | $2,008,126 | $1,864,775 |
| Change in net assets | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($81,180) | $57,715 | $28,309 | $222,232 | $383,995 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($81,180) | $57,715 | $28,309 | $222,232 | $383,995 |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 12/26/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
1844: In response to God's call, English naval officer Allen Gardiner sailed around the globe and then to the Yaghans in America. Charles Darwin said of the Yaghans, "Viewing such men, one can hardly make oneself believe they are fellow creatures and inhabitants of the same world." In contrast, Allen saw them as fellow human beings in need of the Gospel. Six others joined him on mission to share the grace of Christ. Stranded on a barren shore with limited supplies, Allen and his crew all gave their lives for the mission. In Allen's journal we read that they lifted up prayers to the Lord through all of their challenges and petitioned others to bring the Gospel to that remote place. Allen Gardiner eventually became known as the founder of the South American Missionary Society (SAMS) due to this trip to the Yaghans.
The The London Times called the missions to South America a foolish cause, but in the darkest moment, God raised up a young seventeen-old named Thomas Bridges. He visited the Yaghan settlements in complete weakness and vulnerability. Unthreatened by Bridges, and moved by the forgiveness he brought, the Yaghans at last received the Good News. Those who were baptized included several who had killed Bridges' friends. A short while later a ship sank offshore, but the Yaghans who in the past would have killed the sailors, risked their lives to save them. Their transformation in Christ was so dramatic that even Darwin became a committed giver to SAMS.
1975: The Lord was faithful in raising up other to be sent into the harvest over the following centuries extending beyond England to many countries including the Americas.
1976: A Great Commission focused group of Episcopalians formed SAMS-USA with a purpose to send missionaries to be witnesses and to make disciples for Jesus Christ, in fellowship with the Anglican Church, endeavoring to follow the work of the South America Missionary Society in Great Britain. The first SAMS-USA missionaries were John and Susan Harvard.
1977-1986: During this time SAMS sent 68 missionaries into the field.
1987: SAMS-USA office moved from Union Mills, North Carolina, to a new home in Ambridge, Pennsylvania.
1996: This year marked an increased involvement of the church in their sending role, and long-term missionaries more than tripled from the low in this decade.
2006: SAMS created collaborative partnerships, such as our sending agreement with Sharing Of Ministries Abroad (SOMA) and the formation of the Anglican Global Missions Partners.
2007: The Church Mission Society (USA) merged into SAMS-USA, extending further the Society's relational connections with Anglicans around the world. There are more opportunities to use all types of vocational experiences and spiritual gifting to minister incarnationally in word and deed.
Today: SAMS-USA's ministry scope, extending from the Americas to Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, is reflected in our new name: The Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders. SAMS has more than 90 missionaries serving in over 20 countries around the globe sharing the grace of Jesus Christ.
Program accomplishments
Needs
Donating to SAMS and other Christian missionary organizations is one way to help spread the Gospel without leaving your home. We rely on donations to keep up our projects overseas, like establishing new churches, training leaders and ministering in schools and medical clinics. When you submit your contribution to SAMS, you are helping equip missionaries with some of the tools they need to continue the ongoing work of bringing new believers to Christ.
One thing that everyone can do regardless of age, income or ability is pray. At SAMS, we believe in the all-consuming power of prayer to change lives as we witness God at work. We ask for your continuous prayers to support our mission as we work through challenges every day. You are warmly invited to join our weekly SAMS Family Prayer sessions, to connect over Zoom for fellowship and prayer support.