Founding Member
Sam Helms
Sam was one of the original founding member of Missions4Jesus who shared the love of Jesus Christ with every person he met.
Samuel Leigh Helms, 59 of Monroe joined his Heavenly Father on August 11, 2005 after a courageous battle with brain tumors. He was born September 10, 1945 in Knoxville, TN and graduated from Sun Valley High School of Monroe, NC in 1963.
At the age of 21, Sam voluntarily joined the US Army and fought in the Vietnam War, where he earned a number of metals, including the Good Conduct Metal and a Purple Heart. He loved his country.
Sam also had a passion for helping others and a goal of becoming a police officer. In 1976 he became a firefighter, but continued training at the Charlotte Police Academy. In 1980 he graduated and became Monroe, North Carolina’s first Public Safety Officer, having been trained in the areas of fire, rescue, and police. Sam enjoyed a very rewarding career in Public Safety, received numerous awards and was promoted to Lieutenant before retiring in October of 2002.
Sam also loved working with his hands and making things. After retirement, he started a Home Improvement business as a hobby, but soon found his true passion. He joined a mission team going to Malawi, Africa to build an orphanage. This God given opportunity allowed him to help others who could not help themselves.
In March of 2004 Sam was diagnosed with cancer, but this did not lessen his desire to help the people of Africa where he had developed an overwhelming passion and love for them. On November 12, 2004 Sam returned to Malawi, Africa along with three other founding members of Missions4Jesus. During this trip, hundreds of villagers and several hospitals received food and medicine and construction of a maize mill was started.
Sam Helms loved the Lord. He was a member of Unionville Baptist Church in Monroe, NC where he loved his church family. Sam is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Vickie Baucom Helms who stood by him faithfully during his illness, his mother, Mae Helms of Monroe, and his late father, Worth Helms, two sons, Todd Helms of Wingate and Jason Helms of Monroe, three grandchildren, Taylor Helms, Bailey Helms both of Monroe and Triston Helms of Wingate. We love and miss you Sam!
Sam was one of the original founding member of Missions4Jesus who shared the love of Jesus Christ with every person he met.
Samuel Leigh Helms, 59 of Monroe joined his Heavenly Father on August 11, 2005 after a courageous battle with brain tumors. He was born September 10, 1945 in Knoxville, TN and graduated from Sun Valley High School of Monroe, NC in 1963.
At the age of 21, Sam voluntarily joined the US Army and fought in the Vietnam War, where he earned a number of metals, including the Good Conduct Metal and a Purple Heart. He loved his country.
Sam also had a passion for helping others and a goal of becoming a police officer. In 1976 he became a firefighter, but continued training at the Charlotte Police Academy. In 1980 he graduated and became Monroe, North Carolina’s first Public Safety Officer, having been trained in the areas of fire, rescue, and police. Sam enjoyed a very rewarding career in Public Safety, received numerous awards and was promoted to Lieutenant before retiring in October of 2002.
Sam also loved working with his hands and making things. After retirement, he started a Home Improvement business as a hobby, but soon found his true passion. He joined a mission team going to Malawi, Africa to build an orphanage. This God given opportunity allowed him to help others who could not help themselves.
In March of 2004 Sam was diagnosed with cancer, but this did not lessen his desire to help the people of Africa where he had developed an overwhelming passion and love for them. On November 12, 2004 Sam returned to Malawi, Africa along with three other founding members of Missions4Jesus. During this trip, hundreds of villagers and several hospitals received food and medicine and construction of a maize mill was started.
Sam Helms loved the Lord. He was a member of Unionville Baptist Church in Monroe, NC where he loved his church family. Sam is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Vickie Baucom Helms who stood by him faithfully during his illness, his mother, Mae Helms of Monroe, and his late father, Worth Helms, two sons, Todd Helms of Wingate and Jason Helms of Monroe, three grandchildren, Taylor Helms, Bailey Helms both of Monroe and Triston Helms of Wingate. We love and miss you Sam!
First trip 2003
In addition to paying water bills for villages, putting a new roof on Samuel’s home and beginning construction of the Maize Mill, the very first distribution consisted of the following: 100-10 lb. bags of seed corn, 172-110 lb. bags of fertilizer, 500 Bibles, 250 Hymnals, 500 Care Packets-food & medicine, 3 Suitcases of medicines, 50 Stethoscopes and 2 hand-dug wells- fitted with pumps. Praise God! The initial mission trip to Malawi was an overwhelming success and a life-changing experience for everyone involved. Missions4Jesus formed a 501c Non-profit organization which is overseen by a Board of Directors. We has since grown and have a long-term VISION to continue to love and support our Malawian brothers and sisters in need. Mission teams travel to Lilongwe, Malawi yearly with much needed supplies and the love of Christ in their hearts. With God all things are possible!
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In 2003 our founding volunteers, Marvin Tarlton and Sam Helms in relationship with Hastings Jialosi (of Africa) were called by God to take their previous African missions to the next level. Each had been part of many other mission assistance programs, but none that prepared the villages for self-sufficiency after the mission team was gone. That was their vision. As plans for a trip began, Jimmy Funderburk and Paul Sachak joined the team. As the founding members prayed, God’s vision grew. |