Pastor Sammy Hughes leads New Life Outreach Church with a heart full of faith and compassion. Sammy grew up in a  small, close-knit  community in Holt, Alabama, called "Possum Holler", yes, Holler.  He graduated from Holt High School in 1964. He went on to earn a B.S. in Education (1968) and an M.A.(1972) in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Alabama. After spending thirteen years as a Biology and Anatomy & Physiology teacher at TCHS, Sammy felt the call to become a pastor. He founded New Life Outreach which began in his home. As a part of the church ministry he established and led a Christian school, New Life Academy for twelve years. When New Life Academy closed, Sammy later served as a Guidance Counselor and Dean of Students at American Christian Academy where he retired in 2015.

Though he did not attend a theological seminary, Sammy was ordained originally by New Covenant Church of Tuscaloosa. He was later ordained by the New Life Outreach congregation to serve them as their pastor. Sammy often says his pastoral education came through "Knee-ology" [prayer].

In 1971, he married his wonderful wife, Sue, and they have been blessed with two children. Their son, MAJ Stephen Mark Hughes who along with his wife  Chandra reside in Texas.. He serves in the United States Air Force. Sammy and Sue were also blessed for 26 years to have their daughter, Elisabeth who went to be with the Lord in 2002.  Sammy and Sue are grateful to have served the Lord for 44 years and to be part of the New Life Outreach family. At the age of 78 he says he has never been more excited with the Word of God and what the Lord is doing in these times. He is claiming the "Caleb Anointing" who warred to take his mountain at 80. When people ask when he plans to retire, his standard answer is, "I will leave the ministry by way of the undertaker or the 'Upper Taker' and that is the one I am expecting!"