Pastor Sam Pollinzi
Pastor / CEO
Sam Pollinzi is the Pastor of “Restored Hope Ministries” in Dallas, Texas – a dynamic ministry to women caught in sex slavery and trafficking with no way out. As the pastor of “Restored Hope Ministries” Sam and his wife Sherry oversee ministry programs such as Celebrate Recovery, Financial Peace University, Budgeting Classes, Computer Training, Bibles Studies, and the transitional housing location. Pastor Sam has a deep-rooted passion to see people healed of their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. God has uniquely equipped Sam for this calling, with an incredible testimony that has already inspired so many to turn their lives around and truly be set free.
Sam Pollinzi was born in Dallas, Texas in 1953. He grew up in a difficult environment as a child, and began taking heroin in his teenage years to cope with pain and rejection. Sam began living a life of crime and drug abuse, putting himself in dangerous situations with dangerous people. Before long, he was involved as a heroin dealer and found himself in prison under a 40-year sentence for aggravated robbery and the sale of heroine. In 1977, a fellow inmate encouraged Sam to invite Jesus into his life – for the first time Sam felt what the Bible describes as “the peace that passes all understanding”. Sam has lived for Jesus ever since. During his time, Sam served as the deacon of the prison church, took classes to finish his schooling, and boldly shared the Gospel of Christ to anyone who would listen. He was released on parole after serving 8 years of his sentence in 1982. Sam went into prison as a high school dropout with no hope and no peace; he came out with an associate’s degree from Lee University and a sense of purpose that he had never before experienced.
Since his time in prison, Sam has spread his testimony around the world sharing his story as an inspiring example of the way that God can change a life. He joined Covenant Church shortly after his release from prison, and has become an encouragement and friend to every Covenant member he gets to know. In 1990, Sam married his wife Sherry at Covenant church, and she continues to stand by him in his ministry, undoubtedly serving as his “better half”. Sam has appeared on the local news (a story that was re-aired for weeks due to its popularity), appeared on the Daystar Television Network several times, spoken at the Restorative Justice conference, and served as the Executive Director of Exodus Ministries for 6 years – a ministry to help ex-offenders and their families. Sam was ordained as a pastor at Covenant Church in 2009; he has been at Covenant for 22 years now, changing lives every day by encouraging hurting people to break free from the same chains by which he was once bound.
Sam Pollinzi is funny, sometimes loud, and always compassionate. He is by all rights a jokester; Sam loves to laugh and his joy is contagious. Sam is a proud father of 3, grandfather of 6 and self-proclaimed husband of the most beautiful woman in the world. Sam and Sherry currently live in Flower Mound, Texas.
Sam is available for speaking engagements to share his testimony and offer practical teaching on how to start a Celebrate Recovery program at your church. He can be contacted at sam.pollinzi@restoredhopeministries.org.