HARRIMAN — Sam Leslie’s mother was a clown.
Known as “Jingles the Clown,” she could do magic tricks, craft puppets, and make balloon animals.
“My mother was one of my biggest influences on my life. She made puppets and we did puppet shows, and I worked with that for years too,” he recalled. “Her gift was to be an encourager.”
More importantly, she used her niche for ministry, traveling to Canada, Australia, Malta, and South Africa to teach children the gospel. She passed away in 2019 at the age of 93.
Her legacy is part of what encouraged Leslie to enter music ministry and stay in it for decades.
Leslie, who’s now 69, grew up in Jackson, Tenn., and was active at North Jackson Baptist Church.
“I have been involved in my church from the time I was a child. I just felt like the Lord was calling me into some type of ministry as far as music,” he recalled. He also served as a youth minister during those years. “It’s just always been a part of who I am, what I have been from a young person.”
He went on to attend Union University, where he earned a degree in music, then continued his studies at Southern Seminary. He served a congregation in Sylacauga, Alabama, for 10 years before settling at South Harriman Baptist Church, where he served for 30 years.
“Which is kind of amazing to hear myself say it,” he said.
Leslie sings and plays guitar, though he admits with a laugh that the piano is another story.
“I wish I was. And one of my weaknesses — I can make noises, I can help people learn from the piano,” he said with a chuckle.
But it certainly did not stop him from serving.
“My philosophy has always been that I’m a minister whose medium is music,” he said. “The music is my vehicle, but it is not by any means the only thing that I did. Working in the church, sharing the Lord with people, encouraging and leading in worship — that has been my goal.”
Leslie also participated in the Alabama and Tennessee Men’s Chorale.
“That was just a wonderful fellowship — a great group of men and encouragers. They really helped me a lot through all those years with support, opportunities and just good men to work with,” he said.
Leslie can flip through a hymnal or songbook and find songs that have been meaningful to him at different seasons of life. Classics like “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” hold a special place, and the Doxology is always close to his heart.
“Our family sings. That’s our blessing when we get all of our extended family together. I have sisters and other family members who are all musicians and singers, and it’s a special time.”
Leslie’s two sons also serve at Tennessee Baptist churches. Aaron leads worship at Middle Creek Baptist Church, and Daniel serves as discipleship pastor at First Baptist Church Smithville.
“God was good. Both of my boys are very talented. And it’s special to have them in the ministry.”
“I’m using the gifts that God gave me, whatever they are and as small as they are, to minister,” Leslie said.
Though the road was not always easy, worship carried him through.
“Of course, there were days that were very difficult ones,” he said. “But leading the worship and being involved in the worship itself was part of what got me through them. I never felt like I was not supposed to be doing that.”
Leslie also expressed deep gratitude for his wife, Leigh Ann. “She has been a strong part of the ministry and has encouraged me through all of it.”
In April, South Harriman Baptist Church celebrated his retirement. Former pastors Edsel West and Mark Umbehagen attended and offered encouraging words. State Senator Ken Yager read a proclamation on behalf of the Tennessee Senate. B&R