Sampayan shares God’s love while driving a limousine

Ernest Sampayan, member of the Milpitas Adventist Church, embraced the mission of sharing God’s word when he moved back to the Central California Conference. He was unsure of many things when he returned, but he knew that no matter what direction he chose he would use it as an opportunity to spread God’s love. “God uses ordinary people. I’ve got to get the word out that Jesus is coming again!” he explained.

Sampayan served in the U.S. Air Force for 11 years, and when he ended his military career he moved back to the Bay Area. His parents moved to the Bay Area from the Philippines when he was young, and it is where they raised their six boys and one girl. He wanted to return to where his family lived, but he was unsure what he would do in his post-military life. Sharing God’s message was central, but he didn’t know what way would be best. 

He began looking for work in the area, and he wanted this work to align with his goal. One day he walked into a limousine business and was hired in the interview. “My former CEO said, ‘When would you like to start? Are you ready to be hired tomorrow?’” explained Sampayan. This on-the-spot decision led him to chauffeur thousands of different people throughout his 28 years working for the business.

His mother reminded him when he joined the limousine business that he had an opportunity to share the good news of the gospel. He had no difficulty understanding that this was the reason he was put in this job. Sampayan made sure to use the opportunity to talk about God with the people he met, some of them celebrities. God’s message was shared through him with many well-known people including Al Gore, Steve Jobs, Bill Cosby, Howard Schultz (former CEO of Starbucks), Roger Goodell (commissioner of the NFL), and Robert Kraft (owner of the New England Patriots).

When Sampayan drove Howard Schulz, he handed Schulz a note about staying positive. “I’m a very upbeat, positive person,” Sampayan explained. “He saw my note saying ‘See something. Inspire something.’ He liked it so much he called my boss and said, ‘I only want Ernest to be my driver.’”

In addition to the many celebrities with whom he shared God’s message, he also shared it with normal people. “One time I picked up a group, and the next thing you know we were singing ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ and ‘How Great Thou Art.’” They requested him to pick them up again, and they again sang gospel songs while he drove them in the limousine. 

“It doesn’t cost anything to be pleasant and nice,” he explained. “You never know who is sitting in the back. My opinion is that God uses ordinary people—just you and me. I’m just an ordinary guy. We should not be ashamed of sharing the gospel. People are so open.”

Sampayan said his goal is to be part of God’s finishing team. This can mean sharing Jesus with anyone who is willing to listen. “People are excited about sharing the gospel and finishing God’s work. I want the youth to be at the forefront. I want people to share the gospel to all corners of the world. It’s going to happen!”

He believes the opportunities to share the gospel are endless. “When I gas up the car, people are very open. I just met a gentleman the other day and I gave him a brochure for our evangelistic revival. I gave one to some people at the bank and they said, ‘I’d love to be there.’” These experiences show that some of the most normal routines in our life are opportunities to talk to others about God.

“Do you remember that song ‘It only takes a spark to get the fire started?’ he asked. “That spark already started. I call it the wildfire. I’m going to use every energy, every fiber in my body till my last breath until Jesus comes. I want to be part of God’s finishing work. I know Jesus is coming soon.”

Sampayan said that in order to share God, all you have to do is be yourself, use your talents, and pray about it. “Everyone has a purpose in this world, a talent. Use that God-given talent. You’re just an ordinary person like I am. You don’t have to be really outgoing. Just share the gospel. We are instruments of God. Be an instrument.”

By Brennan Hallock