Rev. Samuel Rodriguez’s story began with a sermon.
At just 16 years old, he stood before others and preached for the first time. That moment helped shape the path he would follow for the rest of his life. In 1992, he became an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. From there, his voice continued to grow in churches, communities, and public spaces.
Rodriguez went on to become the Lead Pastor of New Season Church, a multi-campus ministry known for its strong influence and growing reach. In 2000, he founded the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, also known as NHCLC. Today, the organization is widely seen as one of the largest and most influential Latino evangelical groups in America.
Over the years, Rodriguez has moved far beyond the pulpit. He has advised Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. He also became the first Latino to take part in multiple U.S. presidential inauguration ceremonies.
His work has reached readers, viewers, and church communities across the country. He is a bestselling author of 12 books, including Persevere with Power, Be Light, and Your Mess, God’s Miracle. He has also helped bring stories of hope to the screen as an executive producer on films like Breakthrough and Flamin’ Hot.
Through ministry, media, books, and film, Rodriguez has built a life centered on faith, service, and purpose. His journey shows the power of staying rooted while reaching wider.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Most days begin early with prayer, Bible reading, and quiet reflection. Before meetings, media appearances, or church responsibilities begin, I try to create space for focus. My schedule often includes leading New Season Church, working with the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, writing, and speaking. I stay productive by identifying the most important priorities each morning rather than reacting to everything that comes my way.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start by asking whether an idea serves people. When we launched the NHCLC in 2000, it began as a vision to better represent Hispanic Christian communities. The same approach applies to books, ministry initiatives, or film projects. I share ideas with trusted leaders, gather feedback, and then focus on consistent execution.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m encouraged by the growing willingness of younger generations to engage in conversations about faith, purpose, and identity. Many people are searching for meaning and community, and technology allows those conversations to happen in new ways.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Protecting uninterrupted thinking time. Some of my best ideas for sermons, books, and leadership initiatives came during quiet moments without distractions.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient. I preached my first sermon at 16 and wanted to see immediate results. Looking back, many of the most important opportunities came after years of preparation.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe many people underestimate the role faith can play in solving social challenges. We often separate spiritual and practical solutions when, in reality, both can work together.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Listen to people whose experiences are different from your own. Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned came from conversations outside my usual circles.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I return to the basics. Prayer, reflection, and stepping away from constant input help me regain perspective. Sometimes clarity comes from creating space rather than working harder.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building bridges instead of silos. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with church leaders, educators, community organizers, media professionals, and public officials. Those relationships expanded opportunities and helped ideas reach larger audiences.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my leadership journey, I sometimes assumed passion alone would persuade people. I learned that vision requires communication, patience, and trust-building. Not everyone moves at the same pace. Understanding that made me a better leader.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Create a platform that connects retired professionals with young entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders. Many experienced people have knowledge that never gets passed on, while younger leaders are actively looking for guidance.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft OneNote has been useful for organizing sermon ideas, leadership notes, research, and writing projects. It allows me to keep information accessible across different responsibilities.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Bible remains the most influential book in my life because I return to it daily. Beyond that, I enjoy reading biographies because they reveal how people navigated challenges, uncertainty, and leadership responsibilities.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoyed revisiting Breakthrough. As an executive producer, I appreciated how the story explored perseverance, hope, and the power of community during difficult circumstances.
Key learnings
- Consistent preparation over many years often creates opportunities that appear sudden from the outside.
- Building relationships across different industries and communities can expand the reach of ideas and initiatives.
- Creating uninterrupted time for reflection can improve decision-making and long-term productivity.
- Effective leadership requires patience, communication, and trust-building, not just passion.
- Listening to people with different experiences can lead to stronger ideas and better outcomes.