Sam Harrell

Sam was born to Baptist missionary parents in Nairobi, Kenya where he spent all of his childhood and most of his adult life.

A graduate of North Carolina State University and Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, Sam together with his wife Melody (born and raised in Uganda) founded Africa Exchange, a non-profit education and community development organization, through which they have operated over the last 20 years – 16 of those under the auspices of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship as global field personnel.

Sam’s primary work has been in community development and appropriate technology with marginalized urban and rural communities in Kenya. He has conducted cross-cultural field education and service learning modules for a number of institutions including Mercer University, Baylor University and Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond where Sam was adjunct faculty in ‘practical mission.’

Sam is currently Associate Coordinator of Global Missions for the Decatur, GA based Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. His responsibilities include facilitating the work of global field personnel in some 20 countries.

Sam is married to Melody Harrell, practicing Spiritual Director, together they have three grown sons. Sam is passionate about the environment and spends much of his free time as close to the land as possible – birdwatching, hiking, beekeeping – advocating for and doing all that he can to conserve and protect the tremendous gift of creation.