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Crosby Family then (1998) - Sam and Jan Crosby and their four girls, (left to right) Tarah, Sarah, Joannah, and Hannah. -
Crosby Family now (2022) - Left to right: Justin and Hannah Barker, Crosby Barker, Chloe Barker, Will and Sarah Broyles, Levi and Adelli Broyles, Colt Barker, Leslie Broyles, Sam and Jan Crosby, Sheadli and Lilly Broyles, Joannah and Taylor Buffington, Maeleigh Broyles, Rebecca Rose Buffington, Carter Barker, James Broyles, Tarah and Justin Sawyers.
Sam Crosby, pastor of San Saba’s First Baptist Church, delivered his final sermon this past Sunday to a crowd of over 300 as he and his wife, Jan, will be moving to Gatesville where he will be the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church.
Brother Sam and his family of six moved here from west Texas in September of 1988. They have seen the church and town grow over the last 24 years. He said he never dreamed he would be here 24 years. During that time, he officiated over 30 funerals a year, two to three weddings a year, and was asked to speak and pray at many community events.
When Brother Sam came to San Saba, the church was running under 100, and during the last quarter, the church averaged 344 on Sunday mornings. Brother Sam is a humble man and was quick to credit others, and especially God, for the growth the church has seen. Not only did the church family grow in numbers, but so did the Crosby family. (PIC OR SENTENCE)
Brother Sam and his wife, Jan, were honored by the church staff with a luncheon last Thursday catered by Pepperbelly's where they were presented matching rocking chairs from Cracker Barrel for their front porch at their farm in Gatesville. The church hosted a farewell “Come and Go” reception Saturday afternoon for church members and any members of the community that wished to say their goodbyes.
When I asked some of his church members to describe him, the words used were: awesome, godly, amazing, wonderful, brilliant, passionate, dedicated, comforting, passionate about the Word of God, faithful servant of the Lord, anointed, he knows the Word and it is in him. Brother Sam is dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
I asked Brother Sam, "Any last words to the city of San Saba?"
I asked Brother Sam, "Any last words to the city of San Saba?"
“Thank you to the city for being so welcoming to our family, and to the school. We found the school to be a great place to raise our children. We appreciate all the deep friendships we have established. We are sad to leave but excited about the new chapter of life.
I would challenge people who are not connected to a church to be involved in a church. If they have never considered their soul, they need to ponder the salvation of their soul. That is the whole purpose of us coming as a family to plant ourselves in San Saba; it was to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ and his love for people. Salvation is provided through Christ’s death on the cross, for our sins, His resurrection from the grave, the promise of his second coming, and the judgement to come. The Bible says what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and he loses his soul. This is not just about the here and now. This is all about the hereafter and God’s desire for people to be saved. If there is any message I want to leave, it is the message of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 says, ‘for I shared with you that Christ died on the cross for our sins, according to the Scripture, that he was buried and rose again the third day, according to the Scripture.’ In Romans 10, verse 9, ‘that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.’ That’s a beautiful verse.”