Sam Rainer serves as president of Church Answers and as lead pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church in Bradenton, Florida. He writes, teaches, speaks, and consults on a variety of church health issues. Sam cohosts the popular podcasts Rainer on Leadership and Est.Church.

Sam has authored several books, including The Church Revitalization Checklist, Understanding the Bible as a Whole, and The Surprising Return of the Neighborhood Church. He has written hundreds of articles for several publications and is a frequent conference speaker on matters of church health.

Sam holds a BS in finance and marketing from the University of South Carolina, an MA in missiology from Southern Seminary, and a PhD in leadership studies from Dallas Baptist University. He lives in Bradenton with his wife and four children.