The Reverend Sam Tryon comes to Emmanuel from the Brookfield-Immanuel Charge in Brandywine, MD. Additional previous appointments are Bunker Hill UMC in Bunker Hill, WV, and the Bolivar-Engle Charge in Harpers Ferry, WV. He attended Wesley Theological Seminary and graduated with an MDiv in 2019. He was commissioned as a provisional elder in 2020 and ordained in 2023. Prior to entering full-time ministry, Sam worked at Harmony UMC in Falling Waters, WV, as an intern working with children and youth. He is passionate about the church as a community called to embody the Kingdom of God, serve the vulnerable, and share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. Sam feels a strong calling to justice advocacy and ministries that meet the needs of the marginalized.
In previous appointments, Pastor Sam served as a board member of a local ministry co-op called Jefferson County Community Ministry (JCCM). JCCM serves people experiencing financial insecurity. In that role, he worked to help connect churches and community members with JCCM services. He led one previous congregation in the process of becoming a reconciling congregation in 2019. At Bunker Hill, he supported their Table Ministry, which serves a free drive-thru meal to the community every first and third Friday of the month.
At Brookfield-Immanuel, Pastor Sam and church leaders started a fresh expression called Messy Church – a hands-on intergenerational ministry “based on the values of all-ages together, celebration, creativity, hospitality, and centering ourselves in Christ.” Brookfield-Immanuel’s latest project is deepening their relationship with Cheltenham Youth Detention Facility.
Pastor Sam feels that leading Bible studies, preaching, and teaching with a wide variety of people is critical to his calling as an elder in the life of the local church. He is committed to the full inclusion of the church as a community of people made of all ages, nations, races, abilities, and identities. He enjoys working in collaboration with others as part of a team and looks forward to doing ministry with Emmanuel and the Laurel community.
In his spare time, Sam enjoys many outdoor activities, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.