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BASTROP – One of Bastrop County’s most storied individuals came to the Courier to share what it is that keeps him humble after receiving high honors from the city.
George Sampleton, Bishop of Bastrop’s Inspiration Pentecostal Church of the Apostolic Faith, recently received a proclamation from Mayor Lyle Nelson for his “dedication to both his faith and the cause of justice,” and for his tireless service to his community.
“I’m being rewarded for the work that God had actually put me here to do,” said Sampleton.
As Pastor, Sampleton became leader of his church when the sanctuary was in the process of being condemned, and with very few resources, he facilitated the construction of a new place of worship in 2017. Sampleton was promoted to Bishop after many years of dedicated service.
The leader would go on to become a published and widely distributed author. His work, “Don’t Give Up: Keep the Faith,” now lies in the libraries of over 45 universities across the nation, including Harvard, Yale and Princeton.
Sampleton was also the first African American from his hometown of Gonzalez to be inducted in the Senate Journal, during the 85th Legislature regular session.
It’s these Texas-based roots that Sampleton credits to his perseverance, success and humility.
“My dad made 50 cents an hour for cutting yards, $18 a week for a family of 6 from the feed store he worked at in Gonzalez,” Sampleton added.
The Bishop noted that his family was once considered nomads, moving from house to house when they had to, and was even homeless for a period.
“God sent me on a mission, and he wants me to stay humble cause I know where he brought me from,” he said. “God told me to write this book and at first people laughed at it. He wanted me to be a beacon, be a light to the world.”
Sampleton fought segregation in his hometown and emerged a brighter person, now sharing his experience with countless individuals across the country.
“Race, creed or color, we are supposed to love one another,” Sampleton stated.
