Samuel Rodriguez

Samuel Rodriguez

Lead Pastor

New Season Church

Sacramento, California

About Samuel Rodriguez

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez serves as Lead Pastor of New Season Church, a multi-campus megachurch in Sacramento, California, recognized by Newsmax as one of America's most influential megachurches. He is President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), the world's largest Hispanic Christian organization representing tens of thousands of churches worldwide.

Rodriguez has advised three U.S. Presidents—George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald J. Trump—and made history as the first Latino to participate in multiple presidential inauguration ceremonies. In 2009, he read from Luke 4 at President Obama's inaugural prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church. In 2017, he read from Matthew 5 during President Trump's inauguration at the U.S. Capitol, concluding in the name of Jesus.

Raised by Puerto Rican parents in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Rodriguez experienced an epiphany at age 14 while watching televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, followed by a PBS special on Martin Luther King Jr., which shaped his calling to ministry. He delivered his first sermon at age 16 and gained recognition as an evangelical preacher. In 1992, Rodriguez became an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal denomination.

In 2000, Rodriguez founded the NHCLC to mobilize Hispanic Christians across the United States and throughout the Spanish-speaking diaspora. His work addresses faith and culture, righteousness and justice, civil rights, immigration reform, and Israel advocacy. Rodriguez states his commitment to one mission: to glorify and magnify the name of Jesus in every sphere of society.

Areas of Focus

Hispanic Christian leadershipEvangelical ministryFaith and civic engagementImmigration reform advocacyPresidential faith advising

Career Background

New Season Church

Lead Pastor

Sacramento, California

National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC)

President

2000 – Present

Media

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez leading ministry at New Season Church in SacramentoRodriguez speaking on faith and justice at a national conferenceLead Pastor Samuel Rodriguez addressing immigration reform and civil rightsSamuel Rodriguez at the National Hispanic Christian Leadership ConferenceFaith leader Rodriguez participating in a presidential inauguration ceremony

Press

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez Believes 'You Are Next' | CBN

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez uses the New Testament account of Jesus healing the paralytic man in his book 'You Are Next' to illustrate how people often stand in their own way of achieving their dreams. He discusses how depending on others more than God leads to perpetual paralysis, and emphasizes that when we encounter Christ, paralysis ends and we never miss our turn again.

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God In America: Interviews: Samuel Rodriguez | PBS

Rev. Rodriguez describes his personal journey to faith, including his epiphany at age 14 while watching televangelist Jimmy Swaggart and a PBS special on Martin Luther King Jr. He discusses his message of righteousness and justice, describing a Christianity that reconciles both the vertical and horizontal elements of the Christian cross, addressing both compassion and truth.

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Samuel Rodriguez - ideamensch

The profile chronicles Rodriguez's journey from preaching his first sermon at 16 to becoming Lead Pastor of New Season Church and founding the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference in 2000. It highlights his work advising Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump, becoming the first Latino to participate in multiple U.S. presidential inauguration ceremonies, and his role as bestselling author and executive producer of films like Breakthrough and Flamin' Hot.

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Pastor Samuel Rodriquez | The Jim Bakker Show

Rev. Dr. Samuel Rodriguez is President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), the world's largest Hispanic Christian organization representing over 100 million Hispanic Evangelicals in more than 40,118 U.S. churches and over 450,000 churches throughout the Spanish-speaking diaspora. He has been recognized on numerous influential leader lists and has worked with and advised Presidents George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump.

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Samuel Rodríguez: 'The battle is not political, it is spiritual' | U.S.

Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, leader of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, gave an impassioned speech at the National Religious Broadcasters' International Christian Media Convention emphasizing that the main battle is not political, but spiritual—between light and darkness, truth and relativism. He called on Christians to stand firm on biblical truth without giving into cultural or political pressures, stating 'We do not lean to the left or to the right, we remain firm in the Word of God.'

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Pastor Samuel Rodriguez: A Biblical View on Sanctuary, Justice and Immigration Reform - Charisma Magazine Online

Pastor Samuel Rodriguez addresses biblical principles related to sanctuary, justice, and immigration reform. The article explores Rodriguez's perspective on applying biblical values to contemporary immigration issues and border policy.

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Awards & Recognition

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award, Congress of Racial Equality, 2011
  • Rosa Parks Courage Award, 2015
  • Defender of the Dream Award, Alveda King and King Family, 2016
  • Jerusalem Award, Friends of Zion Museum, 2024
  • GMA Dove Award for Inspirational Film of the Year, Breakthrough
  • Honorary Doctorate, William Jessup University
  • Honorary Doctorate, Northwest University
  • Honorary Doctorate, Baptist University of the Americas

Licenses & Certifications

  • Ordained Minister, Assemblies of God, 1992

Boards & Memberships

  • Board of Trustees, Oral Roberts University
  • Global Council, Empowered21
  • Board Member, National Association of Evangelicals, 2006

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Samuel Rodriguez do?

Samuel Rodriguez is the Lead Pastor of New Season Church, a multi-campus megachurch in Sacramento, California, and also serves as President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC).

What is Samuel Rodriguez known for?

He is recognized for advising three U.S. Presidents on matters of faith, for founding the NHCLC to mobilize Hispanic Christians, and for being the first Latino to participate in multiple presidential inauguration ceremonies. His work spans faith and culture, civil rights, immigration reform, and Israel advocacy.

Where is Samuel Rodriguez based?

He is based in Sacramento, California.

Who does Samuel Rodriguez work for?

He leads New Season Church and also serves as President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC).

Last updated July 23, 2026