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Sam's Rock ministry now reaches thousands in three states
When 3-year-old Sami McDonald drowned on May 2, it was hard to imagine the beginning of a ministry that would impact thousands.
Not long after it happened, Sami’s mom, Debi, began Sam’s Rock, a prayer group of moms and teachers in a public school. She ordered T-shirts in pink, Sami’s favorite color, with black block letters that said Sam’s Rock.
Then the questions began.
Everywhere those T-shirts appeared—in grocery stores, a prison outreach, gas stations and schools—people asked what Sam’s Rock meant. It was exactly what Debi hoped would happen. Every encounter gave her a chance to tell Sami’s story and how God has carried the family through unspeakable loss.
Sam’s Rock prayer groups now meet in public schools in Texas and Georgia.
More than 37,000 people have logged onto the Sam’s Rock website to read her story, order T-shirts and add their own requests to the prayer list. Now more than 2,300 people wear Sam’s Rock T-shirts, and the ministry continues to grow.
As Debi and her husband, Geoff, worked with sculptor Tom White and local designer Terry Joy to create a memorable marker for Sami’s gravesite, they met a family who did not have the funds to provide even a simple marker for someone they loved.
In partnership with Joy, the ministry now is donating markers to grieving families.
Debi speaks at Bible study groups and organizations.
American Heritage girls at Southeast decorated a tree for the Festival of Trees and Lights in downtown Louisville to honor Sami.
The theme of the tree was "Jesus Loves Me," which was Sami’s favorite song. Girls in the Pathfinder, Tenderfoot and Explorer squads made angel ornaments and a tree skirt with a child’s handprints and the words, "Yes, Jesus loves you." The tree was humble but powerful.
Local news reporters were so touched by the story that they found it difficult to get through an interview with Debi, who has been asked to write a book about Sami and the beginnings of Sam’s Rock.
"God is using Sam’s Rock to connect people," she said. "It’s becoming bigger than a prayer group in a public school. It’s about hope and how in the face of the unthinkable, God has given peace.
