Pastor Samuel Richard Philip and his wife Grace Philip founded Agape Bible Ministries in Trinidad and Tobago in 1987. Having been called by God to serve Him in this way together they began this exciting journey trusting God for His leadership and direction each step of the way.
On 9th July, 2018 Pastor Sam was taken home to be with Jesus. His ministry, his love for God and his care for God’s people impacted thousands both locally and abroad. Here are a few tributes as we celebrate his life and work.
Pastor Sam
Bro. Meryn Alexander - August 17, 2019
This is a short tribute speech in remembrance of our beloved Pastor Samuel Philip, who went to be with The Lord on July 9th 2018. A Tribute is traditionally an acknowledgement or expression of gratitude, respect, and admiration for a person who is alive.
A Eulogy is praising or as we say “bigging-up”, the deceased. With regard to Pastor Sam, both terms apply; for although he is absent from the body, he is present with the Lord. Samuel Philip was a Preacher, a Prayer-Warrior, a Teacher and, to the surprise of many of the congregation of the Agape Bible Ministries, a Singer/Worship Leader with a very deep bass voice; deeper than that of the legendary Paul Robeson negro-spiritual Singer.
Pastor Sam was a humble man of God with a quiet disposition. He was an exponent of the Bible, preaching the message of salvation and forgiveness. He was instrumental in leading many “to the cross”. He was always ready to pray with, and for, anyone who approached him for help. As a Teacher, one of the many lessons I remembered was his explanation of the structure of The Church, that is, The Agape Bible Ministries. Time and space would not permit a full explanation of this. Suffice it to say that he showed the structure as a series of concentric circles.
One faithful day, many years ago during service, Pastor Sam sang the now well-known song “Someone deep down inside me”, in the deepest bass voice I have ever heard to date. There were certain songs he seemed to prefer: One of them is “Jesus, oh, oh Je-e-sus”, and he often had the Congregation sing in a call and response format using the words of Psalm 134.
There are many lessons we, as a Congregation, would have learnt under the leadership of Pastor Sam. He showed us how to pray using many verses direct from the Bible, one example of which, he termed “The Ephesians Prayer”: Eph.1:17-21. +3:14-21. Pastor Sam also taught us to “personalize” several of the Psalms as a way of praying for ourselves and others. Psalm 91 seemed to be his favorite in this regard.
Also on many occasions after his sermon, he would invite the congregation to pray for one another- “men with men, women with women”, he would say; suggesting that we use the message of his sermon as the subject or basis of our petition to our Heavenly Father.
A Great Man of God
Bishop Aaron Williams - August 17, 2019
Praise the Lord friends! It is a great honor for me to be asked to say something on a day such as this. A day when we remember a great man of God, late Apostle Samuel Philip. I call him a great man of God because he lived and his life proved this.
He was one who loved his creator and did everything in his capacity to please the Lord. He was a man full of the Spirit since he prayed a lot and would always be led by the Holy Spirit in all that he wanted to do. He was a man who was kind, sociable and easily approachable.
I believe you know that I have a big Ministry of the Lord in Africa, and even now I am writing this speech from Africa. I would like to announce to all of you present there that it was the late Apostle who encouraged me so much on my journeys to the motherland Africa to do the Lord’s work. I did this using the name of his ministry, that is AGAPE BIBLE MINISTRIES, and it is the name we are using to date. Not only that, but he even sponsored some of my trips and also gave support to do developments, for example building a maternity centre and school at Agwel, Congo.
There are times when I would be hard-pressed, yet I needed to travel to Africa and the Spirit would instruct him to assist before me communicating my needs to him, he would call to find out. I would be surprised to hear from him that he had some financial support put aside for the Lord’s work in Africa.
Many times the deceased expressed willingness to come with me to Africa but the Lord did not allow it. All the same he is still speaking in Africa by what he sponsored.
Personally the late Apostle did a lot that impacted my life that will make me remember him for a long time. Being a humble man of God, one had no choice but to be humble too. He was one who needed reports and once this was given he appreciated it, this would be a big source of encouragement.
However, at this meeting I want to announce that, because of what Apostle started in Africa, the Ministry is growing larger day by day. As Christ is preached, churches are being established, many souls are coming to Christ, conferences are being organized that transform many lives. And because of this the ministry is gaining ground in Africa at a faster speed. Football tournaments take place to preach the Gospel to the youth, schools are being built, more church structures being put up in many places, televisions provided for communities and many other activities in the name of AGAPE BIBLE MINISTRIES. Many times while in Africa he would make calls to find out how I was doing, he never allowed me to get stuck in Africa, but wanted th Lord’s work to continue without any problems.
So Apostle Philip tirelessly sponsored me and the team members for the numerous works that we are now doing in Africa.
Finally as I remember my friend, my sponsor, my pastor and my co-labourer in the Lord, I am humbled and very happy to have shared his life and ministry.
I KNOW HE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, AND FINISHED THE RACE. HIS WORK HAS FOLLOWED HIM NOW.
To us who are still alive the best we can do is to emulate him and do as much as God enables us to do for the glory of His ‘God’ name. We celebrate a life well lived for Jesus. My prayer is that the good LORD raises men and women who will also be like our late father, Apostle Samuel Philip.
May the Lord be with all of you. Amen.
Bishop Aaron Williams
Agape Bible Ministries
Congo, Africa.
Only Pastor Sam
The Singh Family - August 30, 2019
Pastor Sam has been our pastor and friend of the family for longer than 30 years. He brought Jesus to us. He witnessed our baptisms, performed our wedding ceremony, dedicated our children, buried our parents, the whole nine yards.
He was someone who we had the utmost confidence and trust in. We have a local saying, “Only in Trinidad…”. Well, our family says, “Only Pastor Sam.” Simply because his heart, ideals, ethics and faith in the Lord was unique to him. We are yet to encounter a single human being who possesses such character; he was the total package.
We thank God for the privilege to have known and loved him. To purely have him be a part of our lives. His teachings will forever resonate in our hearts. His soothing voice will always echo in our ears and his famous stories that we all know and love, will be treasured in our memories.
He left us a great legacy of hope for generations to come, an exemplary role model for us to look up to; a rare and precious gift from God. Only our Pastor Sam.
With love, The Singh’s
Depan, Mattie, Delia and Dechelle.
He Was Always There
Bro. Shalimar Dookeeram - August 30, 2019
Pastor Sam taught me how to be faithful and put my trust in Jesus . He always told me never give up and use the scriptures when I am praying . He was always there for me with encouraging words. I miss you very much and you remain very dear and close to my heart.
Your Messages Planted a Seed
Your Messages Planted a Seed
Bro. Bobby Mohammed - August 30, 2019
Pastor Sam you have such a positive influence on my life. Your messages planted a seed in my heart and my faith became stronger. You encouraged me in every part of my life, tonight my hope and trust is in the Lord. You are dearly missed.
A Heart of Compassion
The Francis Family - September 1, 2019
Paying tribute to Pastor Samuel Philip, a faithful Servant of God who always demonstrated the love of God. He had a heart of compassion for the people of God in seeing them delivered and walking in the freedom of so great salvation.
Thanking God for his life and legacy.
From: Clay, Susan and Angelo.
