Whether on a longboard or in the sanctuary, Rev Dr William Sam shares how a life of grit and discipleship is ultimately led by the gentle grace of riding pillion with the Lord. Married with three children aged 21, 19 and 16, Rev Dr William Sam is a familiar face in Methodist churches around Singapore. Starting in Toa Payoh Methodist Church as a staff intern in January 1998, followed by serving as a MOT (member on trial) at Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church in 2002, and as a TRAC (Trinity Annual Conference) pastor in five churches before coming to Wesley Methodist Church, Rev Dr Sam’s longest stint was in Cairnhill Methodist Church as Pastor-in-Charge (PIC) from 2013 to 2024. He has also held leadership roles at the conference level, contributing to the broader Methodist connection in Singapore.
In the quiet, rhythmic clack-clack-clack of a 1970s Spanish-made Olivetti manual typewriter, Rev Dr William Sam finds a satisfaction that no modern MacBook or ThinkPad can replicate. “The nostalgic sound of striking metal on paper,” he muses, “is simply unmatched by computer keyboards.”
For Wesley Methodist Church’s newest pastoral arrival, his love for manual typewriters is not just a hobby. It is a metaphor for a life and ministry built on tangible authentic connections and the enduring weight of things that matter.
Stepping into the roles of pastor overseeing Witness & Evangelism (W&E) and Christian Outreach & Social Concerns (COSC), Pastor William, as he is affectionately known by his congregations, brings with him years of experience, having served in six Methodist churches before arriving at Wesley.
A graduate of Trinity Theological College (TCC) in 2002 and the Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas in 2019, Pastor William’s ministry journey has seen him serve in these Methodist churches: from his home church at Toa Payoh to Ang Mo Kio, Faith and Aldersgate Methodist Church.
He also spent a significant 12-year season as PIC of Cairnhill Methodist Church. In 2025, Pastor William served in the Methodist Church of the Incarnation as their pastor. Prior to this, he had served a short stint with the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces).
Beneath the many hats Pastor William has worn – pastor, regular army officer, ACS chaplain – lies a heart primarily set on one thing: helping people encounter the supernatural presence of a living God.
Tan Ee Leng, a Wesleyan who had served as the chairperson of Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), says: “I served with Pastor William in MWS years ago, and I remember he is a very friendly, down to earth, and approachable person.”
” I appreciated his partnership in MWS very much back then and am happy to hear that he is now at Wesley as our pastor.”
Describing Pastor William as caring and encouraging, Rev Chia Chin Nam, who had pursued his divinity studies at TTC at the same time Pastor William was reading for his Bachelor of Divinity, says, “I once asked Pastor William to share with me one thought from his studies as a final-year student in TTC.”
Pastor William then shared with Pastor Chin Nam that the more he learned about theology, the more he realised how much he had yet to discover. “William lives by the wisdom of the rice stalk: the more grains it holds, the lower it must bend. For him, the depth of one’s knowledge is truly measured by the depth of one’s humility in continuing to learn and serve others more,” explains Pastor Chin Nam.
The more grains the rice stalk holds, the lower it must bend.
INDEPENDENT FROM A YOUNG AGE
Born in 1975, William Sam’s early years were defined by a precious independence shaped by the circumstances of the Gen X era. Growing up in a family of six, he admitted he was seen as the “naughty but independent middle child”, sandwiched between an elder brother and a younger brother, with a sister completing the quartet.
Sometimes, people would mistake him for a non-Chinese person before meeting him because of his uncommon Chinese surname, Sam. “I am a 100 per cent Sze Yup Cantonese Chinese. My Chinese name is 岑建良,” clarified Pastor William with a chuckle. (Sam is translated from the Chinese character 岑, which is pronounced as “Sum” in Cantonese.)
From a young age, Pastor William learned independence through responsibility. “I cooked, ironed my own school uniform and washed my own school shoes. We did not have much growing up, but we had lots of imagination.”
We did not have much growing up, but we had lots of imagination.
Even as a student at Victoria School, Pastor William embodied his alma mater’s motto, Nil Sine Labore (‘Nothing Without Labour’ in Latin). Recess was not for snacking but for “football over food”. Pastor William and his friends spent every spare minute at the basketball court, turning ping-pong balls or tennis balls into footballs with the kind of imagination only children possess.
This no-frills upbringing instilled in him a grit that would later define his life. To earn pocket money and buy school supplies, he worked as a receptionist and waiter, and did stints at fast-food outlets and petrol stations. His highest-paying secular role was at Phillip Securities before he entered full-time ministry. Even then, a different kind of security had begun to prompt him from the day he encountered the Lord.
A SUPERNATURAL SPARK
Although he grew up in a home of free thinkers, God came into William’s life during his teenage years.
“I first went to Toa Payoh Methodist Church (TPMC) through their soccer games,” recounts Pastor William. “A schoolmate from Victoria School invited me to play football with them. From there, I started visiting the youth fellowship and the rest is history.”
By the grace of God, Pastor William encountered the Lord deeply from the outset of his faith journey. “At 19, in July 1994, I received the Lord as my personal Saviour.”
“Three days after my conversion, I was gifted with speaking in tongues at a prayer meeting. Subsequently, I witnessed numerous deliverances at gospel rallies and prayer meetings and experienced divine dreams and visions.”
Even before that, however, a pivotal moment occurred when Pastor William was just 14. A staff member from Youth For Christ (YFC) handed him a Bible at a meeting.
“The first time I held that Bible, something beyond explanation happened,” Pastor William shares. “It was as though heaven opened. A warm sensation surged through me. It was gentle yet overwhelming. Joy rose uncontrollably from deep within my soul for a good two minutes.” The YFC workers stood stunned as they watched a teenage boy physically moved by a joy he could not contain.
It was as though heaven opened. A warm sensation surged through me. It was gentle yet overwhelming. Joy rose uncontrollably from deep within my soul for a good two minutes.
THE CALLING FROM GOD
Despite these supernatural encounters, Pastor William described his call to full-time ministry not as a lightning bolt but a slow burn. After receiving Christ at 19, he soon entered National Service (NS). The army became a place of growth. In 1997, he stood at a crossroads, asking, “Lord, what’s next after NS?”
God’s response was a clear directive to be equipped for ministry. To process his calling, he signed a flexible contract to serve as a Regular Army Officer with the SAF for six months. During that period, Pastor William ministered to fellow soldiers. “I realised God wants to use me in different ways. This reinforced my decision to enter full-time ministry.”
The military season left an indelible mark on him. Today, SAF values such as leadership by example, consistency, professionalism and a tenacious fighting spirit remain central to how he serves. “I want to live by these values and impact lives for Christ. Caring for soldiers and building their confidence is not so different from caring for a congregation.”
I want to live by these values and impact lives for Christ. Caring for soldiers and building their confidence is not so different from caring for a congregation.
A SPORTING SHEPHERD
Perhaps his fiercely independent upbringing has shaped Pastor William’s easy-going humour. This is evident in a well-known Methodist Church of Singapore “Kopi Chat” video, where he recounts a rugby final between two schools that he prayed for, while admitting a slight bias towards ACS (Junior) at the time. (Check out Pastor William’s “Kopi Chat” with Methodist Church of Singapore here: Pastor William chats with MCS).
Outside of ministry and family life, Pastor William is young at heart and enjoys the outdoors. When time allows, he takes part in sports such as football, tennis, cycling and longboarding.
“Sports is a healthy way for me to de-stress, stay fit, spend time with friends, including fellow pastors, and appreciate the outdoors and God’s creation,” he shares. His passion for two wheels began in childhood through memories of riding pillion on his father’s motorcycle, a reminder that many of life’s greatest adventures begin with the simple faith of a child.
THE FIRST FRUIT OF THE FAMILY
One of the most touching aspects of Pastor William’s story is his role as the spiritual pioneer of his family. Being the first to convert was lonely at times, but he walked the journey with patience. His parents, initially free thinkers, observed his transformed life for over a decade.
The breakthrough came in 2007 while he was serving at Faith Methodist Church. During an outreach event, both parents responded to the altar call together. His father remained faithful to Christ until returning to the Lord on 24 September 2024. Today, his sister is also a believer.
THE SAM FIVE AND THE CURRENCY OF CLOSENESS
Behind every pastor is a support system. For Pastor William, it is the “Sam Five”. Married to Linna, a nurse of over 20 years who is currently working in an orthopaedic clinic, Pastor William describes Linna as his “rhythm of the road”.
“My wife has been my pillar of support since we met in 1994 at a TPMC small group. This pastoral journey has never been mine alone,” he says.
As a father of three teenage daughters, Pastor William has gained a deeper understanding of God’s heart. “Fatherhood has shown me that God’s love is fierce, constant and always working for our good. I have learned to love unconditionally, to protect without suffocating, to delight deeply and to correct without condemning.”
He prioritises an annual family or mission trip, believing shared stories are a family’s true wealth. “A family with many memories is rich in the currency of closeness.”
Fatherhood has shown me that God’s love is fierce, constant and always working for our good. I have learned to love unconditionally, to protect without suffocating, to delight deeply and to correct without condemning.
LOOKING AHEAD
As he settles into Wesley, Pastor William is not focused on simply running programmes. He hopes to help others encounter the same waves of joy he experienced at 14. He draws inspiration from Shamgar in the book of Judges, who delivered Israel with an oxgoad. “It shows God using ordinary people with simple means for extraordinary outcomes.”
From the disciplined ranks of the SAF to the quiet sanctuaries of Methodist heartlands, Pastor William’s journey testifies to a God who works through ordinary tools to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
God using ordinary people with simple means for extraordinary outcomes.
Looking ahead, he shares, “In the coming year, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of Wesley’s spiritual rhythm so that we can discern together how to grow as a Christ-centred, Spirit-led witness to the world.”
His prayer for the congregation is simple yet profound: that Wesley Methodist Church will always be known as a house where God’s presence is deeply cherished and faithfully pursued.
KYP – KNOW YOUR PASTOR!
Advice to younger self: “Guard your heart, cherish your family and do not confuse the work of God with intimacy with God”
Favourite verse: John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease” (NASB)
Favourite hymn: My Jesus, I Love Thee
Favourite hawker food: Prawn noodles
Favourite subject in school: Economics
Favourite movie: Top Gun: Maverick
Fun fact: Loves mechanical keyboards and vintage typewriters
Coffee or tea: Any kind of kopi
We warmly welcome Pastor William, his wife Linna and their three daughters to the Wesley family from 1 January 2026. We look forward to the seasons of growth we will experience together under his leadership. And if you know where to find the best prawn noodles or a great cup of coffee in the Wesley neighbourhood, he would certainly love to hear about it.
(Photos courtesy of Rev Dr William Sam)
