Sammy moved to Pensacola in 1985 to continue a music career traveling across the United States and Canada singing and ministering in churches doing southern gospel music. After about a year and a half, Sammy left the group and quit traveling to be home with family.

Sammy worked with the Waterfront Rescue Mission, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, while also working part-time in the local Church leading worship. He accepted the full-time call to ministry in 1995 and began working at Heritage Baptist Church.  With the exception of around four years, all of his worship ministry has been at Heritage.

Sammy has a passion to use music as a vehicle to draw people closer to God, and to lead our congregation to worship and have a more intimate relationship with Him.

Sammy is married to C.J. Pipkins. They have three children, Chelsea Windham, Cassidy Shepherd, and Caleb Pipkins. They also have six grandchildren.