Born in 1981 in Evanston, Illinois, Sam Peterson has spent his life being passionate about spreading the message of the gospel. Sam's parents, Tom and Cynthia Peterson, led a church in Chicago throughout his young life. Sam graduated from a small Christian high school and subsequently attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in May 2003 with a degree in electrical engineering.

Now an officer in the Navy, Sam obtained a master's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University in June 2005. During this time, Sam married his wife Dorothy. Upon finishing graduate school, Sam began flight school in Pensacola, FL, and earned his wings of gold as a naval aviator on December 15, 2006. Sam and Dorothy's daughter, Arden, was born in late 2006. Sam currently flies Navy helicopters out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Sam is also a musician who enjoys recording his music and leading worship. He loves visiting his roots in Chicago, including cheering for the Cubs and enjoying the classic Chicago eating from mainstays like Giordano's pizza and Chicago hot dogs at the Wiener's Circle. Whenever possible, he loves getting together with his four sisters (Elizabeth, Amy, Suzanna, and Anna) and his five brothers-in-law (Jonathan McDowell, Shamgar McDowell, O.J. McDowell, Judson McDowell, and Peter Herder) and their families and hanging out for long periods of time.

Help us!