Sasser Family Story
1958
Costa Mesa, CA
Sam and Florence met while attending Vanguard University
August 22, 1959
Inglewood, CA
Married
Norwalk, CA
Served as youth pastors at Norwalk Assembly
1960-1961
Pasadena, CA
Served as youth pastors at Trinity Assembly of God Church
Honolulu, HI
Called to Hawaii to serve as Dean of Students at Aloha Bible Institute
August 22, 1961
Inglewood, CA
Renee was born
Early Sept. 1961
Sam departed for the Marshall Islands
1961-1963
Marshall Islands
Sam taught math, science and English at the Congregational Church school on the island of Rong-Rong in Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands; he immersed himself in the culture and focused on learning the Marshallese language
1962-1963
Marshall Islands
Florence and Renee joined Sam in the Marshall Islands and Terry was born in Majuro, Marshall Islands in August 9, 1963
1963-1964
Marshall Islands
Charges of missionary subversion were made against Sam and he was ordered to leave the Marshall Islands; a petition signed by 5200 Marshallese, including congressmen, kings and businessmen caused the case to be dismissed
The Sassers became full-time missionaries under the Assemblies of God missionary board; radio ministry began
Calvary Bible Institute opened in Laura Village, Majuro, Marshall Islands
REVIVAL IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS
1964
Laura Village - Marshall Islands
Ps 85:6 “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”
The Lord visited the Marshall Islands in revival in 1964.
The Holy Spirit brought an awakening and renewal of the “first love” to the Church and many unbelievers were swept into the Kingdom.
To read more details about the Revival in the Marshall Islands, click here
1965-1966
Marshall Islands
The framework of Sam’s ministry began to change
Translation work for United Nations teams and US Presidential Commissions
Chairman of welcoming committee for the first Peace Corps team to Micronesia
Translation for UN medical teams treating a polio epidemic
Translation for UN Security Council team investigating the effects of fallout from US nuclear weapons testing in Bikini and Enewetak atolls
Sam was appointed by the Marshallese Congress as director of the Marshallese government Office of Economic Opportunity
1967
Marshall Islands
The church in Laura Village numbered over 1000; a church was started
in the District Center of Majuro with over 1000;
two churches were started in the Derit, Uliga, Delap (DUD) area, numbering 800-1000
1968
Southern CA
The Sassers returned home on furlough and took a group of 38 Marshallese, including King Namo Hermios, Queen Erta, Queen Atama Zedkaia and at least one senator, who toured and spoke at churches throughout southern CA
1970
El Segundo, CA
The family returned to the US.
1971-1972
Samoa
The family lived in Samoa and established Alofa Christian Training School (ACTS); Sam itinerated between Samoa, Tonga and Fiji and ministered in New Hebrides and New Caledonia
1973-1977
Honolulu, Hawaii
The Sassers arrived in Honolulu to take up the pastorate at First Assembly of God –Aloha Church. Renovation of the church and construction of additional educational facilities were accomplished during the four years of the Sasser’s tenure. The church grew in spirit and in number during this time and opened their doors for the Samoan and Korean community to hold services. Daily radio programs on KAIM with Pastor Sasser blessed the community with teaching from the Word of God.
1977
US Mainland
The Sassers returned to US mainland
1978
Sam obtained a Masters of Theology in Missiology at Fuller Theological Seminary
1980
Ventura, CA
Sam and Florence pastored at Christ’s Church
Sam obtained a Doctorate of Ministries from California Graduate School of Theology
1986-1993
Plano, TX
Sam and Florence pastored at Fountain Gate Ministry
Singapore
Ministry trip to Victory Family Centre in Singapore
August 1, 1992
Tyler, TX
Renee and Derek married
1994
Sam’s kidney operation, Florence gave Sam a kidney
1993-1995
Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa
Ministry trip to Tonga, Fiji and Samoa
Columbus, GA
Sam served as adjunct professor at Christian Life School of Theology (CLST)
September 27, 1995
Sam passed away
December 1995
Marshall Islands
Florence, Terry, Renee and Derek took Sam’s heart back to
the Marshall Islands for burial, per his request
1997-2008
Florence, with her son Terry, returned to live and work in the Marshall Islands
Worked with the Church, preaching and teaching
Mentored, trained and equipped leaders
Managed a Christian radio station, Eagle 99.9
Started a Bible School for 1st Bukot Nan Jesus
During this time Terry was involved in marketplace ministry
in the communities of the Marshall Islands
February 19, 2000
Laura, Marshall Islands
Terry and Amy were married
April 2008-Present
Florence returned to live and work in the US
Continues to strengthen the large community of Marshallese believers, both in the U.S. and in the Pacific
Continues to translate, provide and distribute discipleship materials in the Marshallese language
Serves as a liaison and worker with the Orphan Justice Center, a ministry founded by her daughter Renee
Caregiver for Joanna John Sasser Loux
Continues to teach via videos placed on YouTube and Facebook
