After graduating from Greenville College with a B.A. in Religion in 1997, Sam accepted an associate pastor position at Shadyside Free Methodist Church in Huntingdon, PA. After one year at Shadyside FMC, Sam and his wife Kristi, a 1997 GC graduate, moved back to the Midwest, where Sam assumed a job as associate pastor of Youth and Outreach at Parkview Church of the Nazarene in Fairview Heights, IL.

In 1999 Sam began his work with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) as a crusade office administrator. Since that time Hardy's hands have been at work in many aspects, big and small, of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association from supervising crusade office operations, fundraising, human resources, directing the choir and usher committees, venue arrangements, hiring and training local staff, coordinating pre-event meetings and serving as the local liaison between the resident city, churches and BGEA.

Hardy managed the Mail and Data Processing Center for Samaritan's Purse from 2003 until 2006. He provided leadership to daily operations during Operation Christmas Child, the organization's largest annual project, processing in excess of 1.5 million pieces of donor mail during a six-week period and employing more than 400 associates annually.

Most recently Sam re-joined the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association as a director to coordinate and direct work for the BGEA events in Paducah, KY in September 2007 and Belfast, Northern Ireland in April 2008. "We're excited to see the experience that Sam is bringing to us from his time with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association as he worked with volunteers for crusades in and outside of the United States." says Dr. David Hoag senior vice president for college advancement.

Sam and Kristi Hardy return to the Greenville College community from Suwanee, GA. They both loved being at GC as students and are excited to "stay put" in one place long-term. "I look forward to the opportunities to develop new relationships with students, connect with old friends and serve the Greenville College Alumni and community," says Sam. Hardy is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Higher Education from Geneva College, and looks forward to putting his experience and passion to work at Greenville College.

CONTACT
Annie Zeller
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Greenville College
618.664.6512
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