Samuel Nelson Lanham, Jr. was born February 5, 1929 to Samuel Nelson Lanham, Sr. and Mayme Beatrice Lanham. Nelson was baptized in November of 1940 at Central Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas by Brother Jeff D. Welch.
At age 17, after Samuel finished high school, he was not sure what path his life should take. His high school choir was singing at the Absury Methodist Church in Lubbock, and he went to hear them. The preacher that night spoke about what the children wanted to be and do in life. His emphasis was on 'preparation'. He urged them to prepare to the fullest for whatever they may choose to do in life. Samuel's mind began to question, 'What should I prepare to be and do?' It was then that God's Spirit began to enter his thinking, and he felt Him calling to prepare to preach His Word. Samuel took the advice of that Methodist preacher's emphasis and determined that his preparation would not be complete until he had reached the highest degree he could receive in preparation for the Gospel Ministry.
Samuel was a very dedicated Man of God having preached his first sermon on January 7, 1947. Nelson and Frances were married on January 18, 1948 and had three daughters; Charlotte, Mary and Brenda.
