Amanda Samuel is a queer butch woman from Wisconsin who grew up in Indian Pentecostal and white evangelical faith traditions. After receiving a Certificate in Public Theology through the Faith and Justice Network, Amanda applied to seminary out of a desire for further theological education which eventually, to their surprise, led to pastoral ministry.

Amanda has a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, with concentrations in public theology, gender, and sexuality. She has worked as a chaplain for a women's prison, a community hospital, and a college ministry. As an adult, Amanda has found a spiritual home within the Presbyterian tradition and is now seeking ordination in the PC(USA). 

Amanda is interested in theologies that are loving, life-giving, and liberating. They believe biblical literacy is political and are curious about how our ideas about God impact how we engage the world around us. At City Church, Amanda facilitates opportunities for care and connection within the congregation and for San Francisco. Amanda hopes to nurture theological imaginations toward the common good and create healthy and healing spaces where people can experience deep friendship with all of creation and the Divine, including themselves.