Kauffman's ministry began when the Lord spoke

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

Sam Kauffman performs at the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention April 26-27. Kauffman said when we pray for someone, that is giving service. That is what God calls us to do, to be servants of God. IC photo by Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — One day Sam Kauffman was going about her business taking care of her family, writing music, leading the parish choir, and free lancing, and God spoke to her saying, "Sing."

"My answer was ‘Sing, are you crazy? You have to get out your credit card, God,’" said Kauffman. "I have one kid in college. The other thing I said was I am too old to do this."

Kauffman is now a nationally and internationally known singer and songwriter. She said it was through prayer that she was asked to participate in the 2008 Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) Convention at the Sheraton City Centre April 26-27. Kauffman performed "Witnessing to the Light Through Mary Magdalene," in a prayer service to open the conference April 26. During the morning prayer service April 27, she performed "Witnessing to the Light Through the Psalms."

Kauffman’s friends from St. Thomas More Parish prayed she would some day be a part of the DCCW Convention, and their prayers were answered.

Kauffman first came to Salt Lake City 10 years ago to do a workshop. Some parishioners from St. Thomas More Parish enjoyed her performances so much they continue to invite her back. Kaufmann has also performed at various Methodist, Presbyterian, and Episcopalian churches from the Salt Lake Valley to Brigham City.

"I love coming to Salt Lake City," said Kauffman. "It is such a vibrant place of faith. We are the light of the Church to our families, friends, and neighbors as servants of God. That is the basis of my ministry which began 10 years ago. I call it ‘A Servant’s Heart International Ministry and Music.’ I wanted it to be a reminder that I am a servant of God, and I have been blessed.

Kauffman lives in Foster City, Calif., near San Francisco. She was born and raised in Seattle in the Baptist Church. She joined the Catholic Church while attending Forest Ridge School, a kindergarten through 12th grade all girls Catholic school.

"I started going there in the seventh grade, and when I walked in, I knew I was home," said Kauffman. "I started playing the piano when I was 5 years old. My mother had her master’s degree in music and was a school teacher.

"I loved to sit in the balcony in church with my chin on the railing and just listen to the Word of God and the music," she said. "Psalm 22 is my favorite psalm – ‘I Know My Redeemer Lives.’ My favorite psalm has taken me to bring my music ministry and the hope of the Lord both nationally and internationally.

"After the Lord spoke to me, I went to a GMA Summer Workshop in Estes Park, Colo., on performance skills led by Tom Jackson. The first thing out of Jackson’s mouth was, ‘If you think you are too old to be doing this ministry, it is a lie from the pit of hell.’

"What I learned was it does not matter what your age, everyone has gifts and talents that are unique," said Kauffman. "We are all uniquely crafted by God. God can call us no matter what age we are into the work of his hands. That is one of the theme’s of my ministry to affirm people in their gifts, and to let them know as Pope Benedict XVI said, they are necessary. We all are necessary."

In one of Kauffman’s programs she talks about Frank Capra’s movie "It’s a Wonderful Life." She tries to get people to think about what life of the other people around them would be like if they were not there. She said we all have work to do for God, and she truly believes God leads us where God wants us.

"I was sitting in church listening to the Easter readings this past Easter and it suddenly occurred to me that Jesus’ disciples were excitedly seeking him when they heard the news he was no longer in the tomb," said Kauffman. "In our ministries, in the work of our hands, we need to have that same excitement looking for Jesus everywhere – going to work, brushing our teeth, working with our co-workers, or out in the garden. God is everywhere and all around us, and he will start to put together experiences for us that will show us the ways he wants us to serve him, especially if we are aware with anticipation believing that is what God is going to do for us. It is like the nerves of our soul are tingling.

"When I signed my first contract with the record company, I was overwhelmed with responsibility," said Kauffman. "But now I feel I am like a brick layer and I put bricks into a foundation, and I am just one brick in someone’s foundation.

"Jesus is the foundation of what I do," said Kauffman. "I am just a broken, leaky, old cup that I ask God to fill. I believe God wants to bless us, and I believe God will lead each of us through the wilderness when we are in pain and suffering. It is important for us to be aware of the lives of other people. That is giving service to others and stepping outside of our own agenda and putting them first."

Kauffman said her life has been enriched by the people she has met through her ministry because we are the body of Christ.