He is a trailblazer.
The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez recently received the prestigious Jack Hayford Lifetime Achievement Award from The King’s University in recognition of his contributions to ministry. Rodriguez, who serves as the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, expressed deep gratitude for the honor in a recent Instagram post, attributing all “glory and honor” to Jesus. He emphasized the university’s mission of nurturing leaders who can impact the world with the teachings of Christ, adding that the award is a personal blessing from God.
During the award ceremony at The King’s University’s gala in Southlake, Texas, President Irini Fandro described Rodriguez as a transformative leader dedicated to connecting people and building bridges across communities. As he accepted the award, Rodriguez reflected on his admiration for Dr. Jack Hayford, a mentor who had inspired him to dedicate his life to ministry. He recalled meeting Hayford in his twenties and praised him for showing that being “spiritually empowered” could coexist with being “intellectually inclined.”
Rodriguez also recounted a pivotal moment from his college years, when a chance encounter with Hayford’s sermon on the radio led him to pursue ministry instead of engineering. Overwhelmed by a profound spiritual experience, he felt compelled to follow his calling, leaving behind a career in technology. Sharing this personal story, Rodriguez credited Hayford for helping him realize that true spiritual empowerment is compatible with intellectual engagement and does not require abandoning one’s cognitive strengths.
In his acceptance speech, Rodriguez acknowledged the responsibility of paving the way for future generations. He stressed the importance of integrity in leadership, advising that when integrity surpasses influence, true, unstoppable impact is possible. He underscored that “who speaks into you is more important than who speaks about you,” highlighting the value of guidance and mentorship.
Rodriguez concluded by envisioning a new generation of innovators—Christ-centered, Spirit-filled young leaders who would bring positive change to the world. He called for a future where young people are “not acting weird but wired” to the teachings of Christ, embodying integrity, innovation, and influence to make a global impact.