Samuel Rodriguez

{{short description|American evangelist (born 1969)}}

{{For|the Venezuelan football player|Samuel Rodríguez}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Samuel Rodriguez

| birth_name = Samuel Rodriguez Jr.

| birth_date =

| birth_place =

| nationality = American

| occupation = Founder and Pastor, New Season Church

| years_active = 2010–present

| spouse = EvaRev. Samuel Rodriguez Biography. [http://newseasoncwcchurch.com/about-us/pastors/ "About Lead Pastors"]. Retrieved 29 June 2016.

| children = 3

| website = {{URL|pastorsam.com}}

| education = Lehigh University (M.A. in Organization Leadership)Board of Trustees of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. [http://www.gordonconwell.edu/about/Board-of-Trustees.cfm#rodriguez "Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary About Us: Leadership Team"]. Retrieved 29 June 2016.

}}

Samuel Rodriguez Jr. is an American Evangelical Christian leader born to Puerto Rican parents in the United States."100 Influential Protestants You Ought to Know," juicyecumenism.com/2017/12/06 He is a pastor, movie producer, author, civil rights activist and television personality. He is the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference.{{Cite news|last=Bowyer|first=Jerry|title=America's Most Prominent Latino Evangelical Leader On How To Fight Political Darkness|language=en|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerrybowyer/2016/10/12/americas-most-prominent-latino-evangelical-leader-on-how-to-fight-political-darkness/amp/|access-date=2021-07-08}}

Ministry

At age 16, Rodriguez delivered his first sermon. He soon gained acclaim as an evangelical preacher.{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2007/12/22/the-rev-samuel-rodriguez-ministering-to-the-needs-of-his-people.html|title=The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez: Ministering to the Needs of His People|website=The Daily Beast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523083927/http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2007/12/22/the-rev-samuel-rodriguez-ministering-to-the-needs-of-his-people.html|archivedate=2012-05-23|url-status=dead|accessdate=2014-04-24}} In 1992, he became an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal denomination. In 2000, he founded the Hispanic Evangelical Christian organization National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC/CONEL).{{Cite news|url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,2140207-3,00.html|title=Evangélicos!|last=Dias|first=Elizabeth|date=2013-04-15|newspaper=Time|access-date=2017-02-09|issn=0040-781X}}

Rodriguez became a member of the board of the National Association of Evangelicals in 2006.{{Cite web|title=Leadership|url=https://www.nae.net/about-nae/leadership/|access-date=2021-07-20|website=National Association of Evangelicals|language=en-US}}

Books and films

In June 2016, Rodriguez's book Be Light reached number 1 on the Los Angeles Times Bestseller List.{{Cite news|url=http://projects.latimes.com/bestsellers/lists/2016/06/05/|title=Bestsellers|newspaper=latimes.com|access-date=2017-02-09|language=en}}{{dl|date=February 2025}} You Are Next, released in 2019, reached the fourteenth position Publishers Weekly's hardcover nonfiction frontlist sales chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/nielsen/hardcovernonfiction/20190520.html|title=Hardcover Frontlist Nonfiction|website=Publishers Weekly|access-date=March 14, 2024}}

Persevere with Power, Rodriguez's 2021 release, made both the English and Spanish bestsellers lists of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA),{{cite web | url=https://christianbookexpo.com/bestseller/all.php?id=1121 | title=Christian Book Expo: ECPA Christian Bestsellers, November 2021 }} as well as reaching number 20 on ECPA's January 2022 Christian New Releases.{{Cite web|title=Christian Book Expo: ECPA Christian New Releases, January 2022|url=https://christianbookexpo.com/bestseller/newreleases.php?id=0122|access-date=2022-02-03|website=christianbookexpo.com}}

Your Mess, God’s Miracle: The Process Is Temporary, the Promise Is Permanent, released in April 2023, reached number 15 on ECPA’s July 2023 Christian New Releases.{{Cite web |title=Christian Book Expo: ECPA Christian New Releases, July 2023 |url=https://christianbookexpo.com/bestseller/newreleases.php?id=0723 |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=christianbookexpo.com}}

Rodriguez's September 2024 book Fresh Oil, Holy Fire, New Wine: Living the Vibrant Holy Spirit-Filled Life was number 21 on ECPA's December 2024 Christian New Releases ranking.{{Cite web |title=Christian Book Expo: ECPA Christian New Releases, December 2024 |url=https://christianbookexpo.com/bestseller/newreleases.php?id=1224 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=christianbookexpo.com}}

Rodriguez was an executive producer of the 20th Century Fox motion picture Breakthrough,{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/samuel-rodriguez-reveals-what-convicted-him-as-a-pastor-while-making-breakthrough-movie.html|title=Samuel Rodriguez reveals what convicted him as a pastor while making 'Breakthrough' movie|website=www.christianpost.com|date=24 April 2019 }} which received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song{{Cite web |date=2020-01-13 |title=Oscar Nominations 2020: Elton John and Randy Newman Up for Best Original Song, Beyoncé and Thom Yorke Shut Out |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/oscar-nominations-2020-elton-john-and-randy-newman-up-for-best-original-song-beyonce-and-thom-yorke-shut-out/ |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} and received a GMA Dove Award for Inspirational Film of the Year.{{Cite web |date=2020-01-14 |title='To God Be the Glory': 'Breakthrough' and These Faith-Inspired Films Received Oscar Nods |url=https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/entertainment/2020/january/to-god-be-the-glory-breakthrough-and-these-faith-inspired-films-received-oscar-nods |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=CBN News |language=en}}

Rodriguez was an executive producer of the Fox Searchlight film Flamin' Hot, a biopic about the man behind Flamin' Hot Cheetos. The film was produced by DeVon Franklin of Franklin Entertainment and directed by Eva Longoria.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/flamin-hot-cheetos-movie-eva-longoria-1203314982/amp/|title=Eva Longoria to Direct Biopic About Flamin' Hot Cheetos Creator|website=Variety|date=27 August 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/eva-longoria-directing-flamin-hot-cheetos-movie/|title=That Flamin' Hot Cheetos Movie Is Still Coming, and Eva Longoria Will Direct It|website=Slash Film|date=27 August 2019}} The film became Fox Searchlight Pictures' most-watched streaming movie of all time.{{Cite web |last1=Gleiberman |first1=Peter Debruge,Owen |last2=Debruge |first2=Peter |last3=Gleiberman |first3=Owen |date=2023-06-27 |title=The 10 Best Films of the Year (So Far) |url=https://variety.com/lists/best-movies-2023-so-far/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} "The Fire Inside" from Flamin' Hot was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2024.

Political activity

During the George W. Bush administration, Rodriguez advocated for bipartisan discussion on immigration reform.{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/september/31.82.html|title=The Call of Samuel|website=Christianity Today|date=September 2006 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2008-01-29-0801280470-story.html|title=Latinos courted as wild card among shifting evangelical voters|website=Chicago Tribune|date=29 January 2008 }} He was brought in as an advisor to Bush and later also served in an advisory capacity for Presidents Obama and Trump.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Jonny |date=2023-06-16 |title=On a Wing and a Prayer: Mike Pence Hitches Presidential Hopes on Fellow Evangelicals |url=https://christianitytoday.com/news/2023/june/mike-pence-president-run-iowa-evangelical-trump-desantis.html |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=News & Reporting |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=White House faith advisor: Donald Trump values faith input more than past presidents - Premier Christian News {{!}} Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis|url=https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/white-house-faith-advisor-donald-trump-values-faith-input-more-than-past-presidents|access-date=2021-07-22|website=premierchristian.news|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2018-05-25|title=How evangelicals teamed up with the White House on prison reform|url=https://religionnews.com/2018/05/25/how-evangelicals-pushed-prison-reform-for-the-trump-white-house/|access-date=2021-07-20|website=Religion News Service|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|last=Goodstein|first=Laurie|date=2018-03-27|title='I Know I Will Be Criticized': The Latino Evangelical Who Advises Trump on Immigration|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/27/us/evangelical-dreamers-rodriguez.html|access-date=2021-07-22|issn=0362-4331}} He participated in President Obama’s 2009 inaugural prayer service at Saint Johns Episcopal Church, reading from the Gospel of Luke.{{Cite web|url=https://news.ag.org/en/News/Inaugural-Invitation|title=Inaugural Invitation|website=Assemblies of God News|date=12 January 2017}} He has served on the President's Advisory Council for the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships initiative with the Fatherhood and Healthy Families Task Force and also on the Abortion Reduction Task Force (both under President Obama).{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ofbnp-council-final-report.pdf|title=President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships|website=Obama White House Archives|publisher=Whitehouse.gov|accessdate=2013-10-04}}{{Cite web|title=Trump's Latino support could grow as Democrats seen as 'party of infanticide'|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/trumps-latino-support-growing-poll.html|access-date=2021-07-20|website=The Christian Post|date=10 October 2020 |language=en-US}}

Rodriguez delivered an invocation at the inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20, 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.christiantimes.com/article/trump-inauguration-to-feature-faith-leaders-including-franklin-graham-samuel-rodriguez-and-paula-white/69276.htm|title=Trump inauguration to feature faith leaders, including Franklin Graham, Samuel Rodriguez, and Paula White|website=www.christiantimes.com|language=en|access-date=2017-02-15}} In his remarks, Rodriguez read from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/20/politics/donald-trump-inauguration-samuel-rodriguez/index.html|title=Scripture read by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Rodriguez at inauguration|website=CNN|date=20 January 2017|access-date=2017-02-15}} On Inauguration Day, Rodriguez was interviewed by CNN.{{Citation|title=Latino pastor explains inauguration prayer - CNN Video|date=19 January 2017 |url=http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2017/01/19/sam-rodriguez-latino-evangelical-pastor-donald-trump-inauguration-lah-pkg.cnn|accessdate=2017-02-15}} Rodriguez met with Trump administration officials to discuss a comprehensive immigration reform measure that would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.{{cite web | title=Rev. Samuel Rodriguez 'Impressed' with Trump's promise to help Obama's Dreamers |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/samuel-rodriguez-nhclc-trump-obama-dreamers-daca-immigrant-deportation-172099/ |date = 2016-12-13 |accessdate=2016-12-30 | publisher = Christian Post | author = Michael Gryboski}}

Rodriguez and other evangelical leaders signed a January 2017 letter pressing Trump to reconsider his suspension of a refugee resettlement program as that suspension prevented refugees from several countries from emigrating to the U.S. The letter argued that the program provided a lifeline to many oppressed individuals and an opportunity for churches to minister to them.{{Cite web|url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/president.trump.please.think.again.evangelical.leaders.plead.for.rethink.on.refugee.ban/104256.htm?email=1|title=President Trump, Please Think Again: Evangelical Leaders Plead For Rethink On Refugee Ban {{!}} Christian News on Christian Today|website=www.christiantoday.com|date=30 January 2017 |language=en|access-date=2017-02-15}}{{Cite web|url=http://static.politico.com/ac/e4/b93a2d7041bc8243fed19f149fd0/evangelical-letter.pdf|title=Letter obtained by Politico|website=Politico}}

Also in 2017, Rodriguez was involved in a conversation at the White House with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump that led to the creation of the First Step Act, which helps to prevent individuals who have served time from returning to prison. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rodriguez was a member of the Heritage Foundation's National Coronavirus Recovery Commission.{{Cite web |title=National Coronavirus Recovery Commission Releases Spanish-Language PSA to Promote Health and Safety |url=https://www.heritage.org/press/national-coronavirus-recovery-commission-releases-spanish-language-psa-promote-health-and |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918195108/https://www.heritage.org/press/national-coronavirus-recovery-commission-releases-spanish-language-psa-promote-health-and |url-status=unfit |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=The Heritage Foundation |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-04-20 |title='There's Beauty in Midst of Ashes,' Pastor on COVID-19 Panel Says |url=https://live-daily-signal.pantheonsite.io/2020/04/20/theres-beauty-in-the-midst-of-ashes-says-pastor-on-national-covid-19-recovery-panel/ |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=The Daily Signal}}

During Donald Trump's second presidential administration, Rodriguez became a member of the White House Faith Office. He was among the group of faith leaders who laid hands on and prayed for Trump in the Oval Office on March 19, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Ryan |last2=Reporter |first2=Christian Post |date=2025-03-21 |title=Evangelical leaders pray over Trump in Oval Office: 'Faith is more important than ever before' |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/evangelical-leaders-pray-over-trump-in-oval-office.html |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=www.christianpost.com |language=en}} Rodriguez told the New York Times that through this the Faith Office, he and other faith leaders have had "unprecedented access" to the White House,{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Ruth |date=2025-04-18 |title=Christianity in the White House |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/briefing/christianity-in-the-white-house.html |access-date=2025-04-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} resulting in "unparalleled commitment to affirming our Judeo-Christian value system".{{Cite news |last=Dias |first=Elizabeth |last2=Graham |first2=Ruth |date=2025-04-18 |title=White House of Worship: Trump Elevates Christian Prayer and Power |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/us/politics/white-house-prayers.html |access-date=2025-04-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Israel advocacy

Rodriguez advocates for the rights and protection of the state of Israel. He has been recognized by the Israel Allies Foundation as one of Israel's Top 50 Christian Allies in 2020 and 2022.{{Cite web |title=Israel's Top 50 Christian allies in 2020 |url=https://www.jns.org/spotlight/israels-top-50-christian-allies-in-2020/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=JNS.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Israel's Top 50 Christian Allies 2022 |url=https://israelallies.org/israels-top-50-christian-allies-2022 |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=Israel Allies Foundation |language=en}} In 2024, he received the Jerusalem Award from the Friends of Zion Museum for his advocacy.{{Cite web |last=Lefkovits |first=Etgar |date=2025-02-11 |title=Support for Israel stronger than ever, says Latino evangelical leader |url=https://www.jns.org/support-for-israel-stronger-than-ever-says-latino-evangelical-leader/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=JNS.org |language=en-US}}

Rodriguez's work has been featured in the Jerusalem Post and has been covered by The Times of Israel.{{Cite web |last=Berman |first=Lazar |title=Leading Hispanic pastor seeks to build firewall against declining Israel support |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/leading-hispanic-pastor-seeks-to-build-firewall-against-declining-israel-support/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2018-07-09 |title=World's largest Hispanic Christian group joins FOZ to fight antisemitism |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/worlds-largest-hispanic-christian-group-joins-foz-to-fight-antisemitism-562033 |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-05-15 |title=Evangelical Christians stand up for Israel, call on Biden to do the same |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/evangelical-christians-stand-up-for-israel-against-white-house-668234 |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}} He has used his platform as the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) to encourage support for Israel among Christians.{{Cite web |date=2014-11-24 |title=Hispanic Evangelicals among Israel's greatest supporters |url=https://www.jpost.com/christian-news/hispanic-evangelicals-are-among-israels-biggest-supporters-382695 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=The Jerusalem Post - Christian World |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2018-08-19 |title=Why Christians and Jews Must Come Together to Battle Surging Anti-Semitism |url=https://cbn.com/news/news/why-christians-and-jews-must-come-together-battle-surging-anti-semitism |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=CBN |language=en}}

Rodriguez signed the Bonhoeffer Declaration, a commitment to "combat antisemitism in our communities, nation, and the world".{{Cite web |title=Join these Voices.|url=https://bonhoeffer.org/leaders |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=The Bonhoeffer Declaration. |language=en-US}}

These efforts have established him as one of the top Latino Christian Zionists in the world according to Marie Arana in her book Latino Land.{{Cite book |last1=Arana |first1=Marie |title=LatinoLand |date=2024-02-20 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-9821-8489-6 |language=en}}

Recognition

In 2009, CNN featured Rodriguez in their Latinos in America broadcast special, identifying him as one of the most influential Evangelical leaders in the Latino community.[http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0910/19/cnr.02.html Unknown]{{Dead link | date=March 2025 | fix-attempted=yes}}

Presented by the Congress of Racial Equality in 2011, Rodriguez was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award.{{Cite web|last=Darling|first=Daniel|title=Friday Five Interview: Samuel Rodriquez|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2013/april-online-only/friday-five-interview-samuel-rodriquez.html|access-date=2021-07-22|website=CT Pastors|date=26 April 2013 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=DBU Hosts Hispanic Evangelical Leader Samuel Rodriguez|url=https://www.dbu.edu/news/2017/03/dbu-hosts-hispanic-evangelical-leader-samuel-rodriguez.html|access-date=2021-07-22|website=Dallas Baptist University|language=en-US}}

In 2013, Rodriguez received a nomination for Time Magazine's "Top 100 Most Influential People."{{Cite magazine|url=https://time100.time.com/2013/03/28/time-100-poll/slide/all/|title=The 2013 TIME 100 Poll|magazine=Time}} Additionally, in 2013, TIME featured him in their cover story titled “The Latino Reformation.”{{Cite magazine |last=Dias |first=Elizabeth |date=2013-04-15 |title=Evangélicos! |language=en-US |magazine=Time |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,2140207-3,00.html |access-date=2023-11-23 |issn=0040-781X}}

Rodriguez has been a part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service four times in 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2021.{{Citation|title=Martin Luther Kings Service by Rev. Samuel Rodriguez Part 2| date=March 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9CYyxDrtO0|language=en|access-date=2021-07-29}}{{Citation|title=VIDEO Rev. Samuel Rodriguez Speech at MLK Day Services2.wmv| date=17 January 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad9X45XGi3o|language=en|access-date=2021-07-29}}{{Citation|title=Rev. Samuel Rodriguez -First Latino Keynote Speaker at Martin Luther King National Service| date=21 January 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG9q2Y-BrBI|language=en|access-date=2021-07-29}}{{Citation|title=2021 King Holiday Observance Beloved Community Commemorative Service| date=18 January 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O97xCeAQ0lY|language=en|access-date=2021-07-29}}

In 2015, Latino Leaders Magazine included him on their "101 Most Influential Leaders" list as the first evangelical leader to make the list.{{Cite web|last=NHCLC|title=Sam Rodriguez Named as 1 of 101 Most Influential Latinos in America|url=https://www.charismanews.com/us/52480-sam-rodriguez-named-as-1-of-101-most-influential-latinos-in-america|access-date=2021-07-20|website=Charisma News|language=en}} The Wall St. Journal has called Rodriguez one of the top 12 Latino leaders.{{Cite web|title=Samuel Rodriguez|url=https://oru.edu/about-oru/governance/board-of-trustees/samuel-rodriguez.php?locale=en|access-date=2021-07-22|website=oru.edu}} Rodriguez was also included in Charisma Magazine's "40 People Who Radically Changed Our World" series.{{Cite web|title=Charisma Magazine|url=https://www.charismamag.com/anniversary/40-who-radically-changed-our-world/23955-samuel-rodriguez-a-modern-day-peter|access-date=2021-07-20|website=Charisma Magazine|language=en |last1=Walker |first1=Ken }} He has received honorary doctorates from William Jessup University, Northwest University and Baptist University of the Americas.{{Cite web|title=Samuel Rodriguez|url=https://oru.edu/about-oru/governance/board-of-trustees/samuel-rodriguez.php|access-date=2021-07-20|website=oru.edu}} Rodriguez regularly comments for publications and media outlets such as CNN, Fox News, PBS, Telemundo, NBC and others.{{Cite web|title=Sam Rodriguez {{!}} Guest {{!}} Amanpour & Company {{!}} PBS|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/amanpour-and-company/guests/sam-rodriguez/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=Amanpour & Company|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Bowyer|first=Jerry|title=America's Most Prominent Latino Evangelical Leader On How To Fight Political Darkness|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerrybowyer/2016/10/12/americas-most-prominent-latino-evangelical-leader-on-how-to-fight-political-darkness/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=Forbes|language=en}}

In 2015, Rodriguez and his wife, Eva, received The Rosa Parks Courage Award for their civil rights work from the Southern Youth Leadership Development Institute (SYLDI) and the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA). The award was granted in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.{{Cite web | author=Amos L. Otis | title=TSU Alum Amos Otis Honored with 2015 Rosa Parks Courage Award | publisher=Tennessee State University Newsroom | url=http://tnstatenewsroom.com/archives/tag/amos-l-otis}}

In 2021, Rodriguez was named one of Israel's Top 50 Christian Allies by the Israel Allies Foundation

.{{Cite web|url=https://israelallies.org/israels-top-50-christian-allies-2021|title = Israel's Top 50 Christian Allies - 2021}}

In 2022. Deseret Magazine named Rodriguez one of their 20 "New Reformers", referring to faith leaders "challenging the conservative movement to change", citing his advocacy for granting immigrants immediate citizenship.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-12 |title=20 leaders who are changing the conversation about religion and politics |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/4/11/23001615/the-new-reformers-religion-politics-religious-liberty |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}

In 2024, NBC News stated he was on his way to become one of the most influential figures in American politics.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-06 |title=Latino evangelicals are a growing voter bloc as parties vie for their support |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/evangelical-latino-voters-2024-election-harris-trump-rcna169911 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=NBC News |language=en}} The Christian Post Español subsequently profiled Rodriguez, chronicling his political influence.{{Cite web |last=Bolaños |first=Por Javier |last2=Cristiano |first2=Editor para Latinoamérica de Diario |date=2025 |title=Pastor Samuel Rodríguez considerado “una de las figuras más influyentes de la política estadounidense” |url=https://spanish.christianpost.com/news/pastor-samuel-rodriguez-considerado-una-de-las-figuras-mas-influyentes-de-la-politica-estadounidense.html |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=spanish.christianpost.com |language=es}}

In October, 2024, the Sacramento Bee ran a front-page feature on Rodriguez, telling his journey from a childhood in the Rust Belt city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to becoming a voice in the Latino community.{{Cite web |title=Sun Oct 20th 2024 - 12am Edition |url=https://eedition.sacbee.com/shortcode/LMCSAC/edition/fb12a13b-5f0e-2fde-8ff4-80c5069c5bfb?page=5494c4ba-17b3-22af-36c4-b1f249bddf2c |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=eedition.sacbee.com |language=en}}

Filmography

class="wikitable sortable"

|+Film{{Cite web|title=Samuel Rodriguez|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6021823/|access-date=2021-07-08|website=IMDb}}{{better source needed|reason=IMDb is not acceptable per WP:IMDBREF|date=November 2024}}

!Year

!Title

!Role

Upcoming

|Carmen

|Executive Producer

Upcoming

|Leaving Memphis

|Producer

Upcoming

|The Dream King

|Executive Producer

Upcoming

|Dream

|Producer

Upcoming

|A Walking Miracle

|Executive Producer

2023

|Flamin' Hot

|Executive Producer

2021

|A Walking Miracle

|Executive Producer

2020

|My Brothers' Crossing

|Executive Producer

2020

|Trump 2024: The World After Trump

|Himself

2019

|Breakthrough

|Executive Producer

2018

|God's Not Dead: A Light in the Darkness

|Himself

2017

|In God We Trust: 9/11 Triumph from Tragedy

|Himself

2015

|Empowered 21: Jerusalem

|Himself

2014

|Un Reino Sin Fronteras

|Himself

class="wikitable sortable"

|+Television{{better source needed|reason=IMDb is not acceptable per WP:IMDBREF|date=November 2024}}

!Year

!Title

!Role

!Notes

2020

|Ministry Now

|Himself

|2 episodes

2013-2020

|Praise

|Himself

|4 episodes

2019

|Fox & Friends

|Himself

|1 episode

2015-2019

|Marcus & Joni

|Himself

|2 episodes

2014

|Huckabee

|Himself

|1 episode, "How Can the Republican Party Win?"

References