Sam Nuñez is the Mission’s new Outreach Manager, and his path to this role has been guided by obedience, trust, and a willingness to follow God’s leading—one step at a time. What began as an interview for a short-term Camp Director position last spring turned into something far greater. Recognizing Sam’s heart for ministry and natural leadership, Teri Kwiatek prayerfully recommended Sam to succeed her upon her retirement. It was not a position Sam had sought or even imagined for himself, but he has embraced the calling with humility and joy.
A core part of Sam’s role is building relationships with guests during mealtimes, alongside a dedicated team of volunteers he supervises. Of all his responsibilities, those lunchroom conversations mean the most to him. Sam recalls one couple who shared that they would lose their apartment in just two days and become homeless. Despite months of searching, neither had been able to find work. Sam asked if he could pray with them, and they gratefully agreed.
Two days later, the couple returned with unexpected news—they had received an extension on their apartment and could stay. This time, they asked Sam to pray for employment. Just days later, the woman came back beaming. “I got a job!” she told him. Over time, their finances stabilized, and they no longer needed to rely on the Mission for meals. Reflecting on the experience, Sam says, “That moment really strengthened their faith. Sometimes it’s a good thing to pray people out of here.”
Sam, his wife, and their three children moved to Frederick from Oregon in 2019, already carrying a strong call to ministry. They launched a ministry called The Showbread Table, and Sam also took a position with Frederick’s regional basketball team, the Flying Cows, serving as both Assistant Coach and Team Chaplain.
“I know I have a pastoral calling on my life,” Sam explains. “I’m pastoring in any room that has people in it.”
Under Teri Kwiatek’s mentorship, Sam learned the importance of presence. “Teri showed me how powerful it is simply to be present,” he says. “Opportunity follows presence.” That lesson now shapes his vision for Outreach. Sam wants every guest to receive more than physical assistance. “If someone comes for a jacket,” he explains, “I want them to leave with hope.”
Each day, Sam encounters individuals and families facing overwhelming challenges. Yet he approaches the work with gratitude and conviction. “I love working at the Mission,” he says. “It fits who I am—it’s my calling.” His own journey of inner healing has prepared him to walk alongside others in crisis. “When someone’s life is on fire,” Sam reflects, “you’ll find two kinds of people—those who stand back and watch, and those who step in to help put out the flames. I want to be someone who helps.”
Through Sam’s leadership, compassion, and faith, the Mission continues to be a place where practical help meets lasting hope—and where lives are changed, one conversation at a time.
