Merced County Native Dr. Samuel Huddleston Elected Superintendent of Northern California and Nevada Assemblies of God, Making History as Fellowship’s First Black District Superintendent

June 16, 2026
CVV News

The Northern California and Nevada District Council of the Assemblies of God has elected Dr. Samuel M. Huddleston as its new Superintendent, marking a historic milestone both for the district and the Assemblies of God Fellowship.

Huddleston was elected by the district’s credentialed ministers and delegates on Saturday, June 13, 2026, becoming the first Black District Superintendent in the history of the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal fellowship founded in 1914. This historic election is a moment of deep significance not only for the Northern California and Nevada District, but also for his hometown of Livingston in Merced County, where his remarkable story of redemption, faith, and leadership first began. Throughout his decades of ministry, Huddleston has remained a source of inspiration to countless individuals, demonstrating that no past is beyond God’s redemption and no calling is beyond His reach.

A native of Merced, California, Huddleston often shares that he is “just a country boy from Livingston who used to ride pigs,” a lighthearted reflection of the humble roots that continue to shape his servant-hearted leadership. He has faithfully served the Northern California and Nevada District as Assistant Superintendent since 2004, providing leadership and oversight to more than 450 churches across Northern California and Nevada. During his 22 years in district leadership, he has become widely respected for his servant leadership, pastoral care, church development, and commitment to mentoring ministers and strengthening local congregations.

Since 2017, Huddleston has also served as an Executive Presbyter for the General Council of the Assemblies of God, representing African American ministers at the national level. His election to that office was itself historic, as he became the first person ever elected to represent the newly created Ordained African American Minister position on the Executive Presbytery, further expanding diverse leadership within the Fellowship.

“Dr. Huddleston’s election represents both a historic achievement and a continuation of decades of faithful ministry,” district leaders said. “His life demonstrates the transforming power of God’s grace and the impact of humble, Christ-centered leadership.”

Before entering district leadership, Huddleston founded and pastored Lighthouse Covenant Fellowship in Benicia, California, for more than a decade after planting the church in his living room. He also served as Executive Director of Match Two Prisoner Outreach (M2), a statewide nonprofit organization operating under the auspices of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that matched adult inmates and incarcerated youth with trained volunteer mentors. He became the only former inmate ever to lead a California Department of Corrections program. His personal testimony of redemption has inspired audiences around the world and is chronicled in his book Five Years to Life.

As the grandson of Bryce Huddleston, Samuel has often shared that one of his greatest personal goals was to restore honor to his grandfather’s name after a troubled season in his own youth. That journey came full circle in December 2018 when the Governor of California granted him a full and unconditional pardon, a powerful public affirmation of the life transformation that had already been evident through decades of faithful ministry and service.

Huddleston holds degrees from Bethany University, Azusa Pacific University, and Regent University, where he earned a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership. Alongside his wife, Rev. Linda Huddleston, he has devoted more than four decades to ministry, leadership development, missions, and serving churches throughout California and beyond. Together they are the proud parents of three children, grandparents to thirteen grandchildren, and great-grandparents to two great-grandchildren, a legacy that reflects their lifelong commitment to faith, family, and future generations.

As Superintendent, Huddleston will lead one of the largest and most influential Assemblies of God districts in the United States, overseeing hundreds of churches and credentialed ministers while helping shape the future of ministry across Northern California and Nevada.

His election is being celebrated not only as a significant moment for the district but also as a landmark chapter in the history of the Assemblies of God, reflecting both the Fellowship’s continued growth and the enduring truth that faithful leadership is measured not by where someone begins, but by where God leads them. For the Merced County community, Dr. Huddleston’s election stands as a powerful reminder that one of its own has risen to one of the highest levels of denominational leadership while never losing sight of the humility, faith, and servant-hearted character that have defined his life’s work.