Samuel D Busenitz

 Samuel Dean Busenitz was born on January 29th, 1963 in Newton, KS to Bernhard E. and Emilie Ruth (Wiebe) Busenitz. He was the youngest of 9 children, born into a farming family that loved the Lord and sought to follow Him. He counted himself blessed to have many examples of godliness in his parents and older siblings. The knowledge and understanding of his own sinfulness and need for a Savior was taught to him from a young age. Sam knew that apart from Christ’s sacrifice, he could not be cleansed from his sin and could not enter heaven for eternity with God. Around the ages of 4 or 5, Sam was brought to a Child Evangelism Fellowship rally in Wichita, and it was there that the Lord saved him from his sin to live the rest of his life for God’s glory. Sam spent the majority of his life in the Elbing area; he attended the Elbing grade school and Berean Academy for junior high and high school. He spent one year at Calvary Bible College in Kansas City. He attended and was baptized at Emmaus Mennonite Church. During high school, he ran track and cross country, and he served as a camp counselor at Camp Good News. By his own account, it was in junior high at Camp Good News where he first laid eyes on his lovely future wife, Jennine Schmidt. Whether that was true or not, both Sam and Jennine attribute their first meeting to a freshman basketball game at Berean. This meeting sparked a sweet high school romance through love letters and a few outings. Though they endured a brief breakup for a couple of years, by the time they were in their junior and senior years, their romance was revived again at Camp Good News, this time for good. Sam and Jennine were united in marriage on November 2nd, 1984. After having wed his lifelong companion, Sam took over the family farm from his father, though they spent a few more years working side by side. He had been a part of the farming operation since he was old enough to drive a tractor. He gained extra farming experience on a custom cutting crew, harvesting wheat from Texas to Montana. Sam had an occupation that was uniquely tied to hard work and wholly trusting in the Lord’s provision and he was faithful in both aspects. Over the years, his four boys: Drew, Josiah, Steven and Paul, were born and raised to work alongside Sam on the farm. Sam wholeheartedly supported his sons in their endeavors, whether that was in sports or music or farming or ministry, no matter the location. He taught them to fear and love the Lord and demonstrated the principles of leading a family in servant leadership. Sam had a unique sense of humor that came forth in witty one-liners, fondly dubbed by his family as “Sam-isms.” He could crack a joke with a straight face, often turning regular phrases into funny moments. A more tenderhearted man is rarely seen, Sam had a “teddy bear” nature with his loved ones, especially his grandkids. His consideration for those around him was unmatched; towards the end of his life, he knew that his absence would be difficult on his family so he was never shy with making known how much he loved and cared for each one of his people. He maintained his joy in the Lord and was a reminder to others of God’s goodness. Sam and Jennine became members at CrossWay Bible Church in 2013. Sam served as chairman of the CrossWay building committee, overseeing the construction of the church’s new building. In the years following, he would also serve there as a trustee, a mentor in the Kids 4 Truth ministry, a singer in the choir or quartets or other ensembles, and as one of the worship music leaders for Sunday morning services. Often through the week, Sam would listen to music to find praise songs that would encourage the congregation for the Sundays when he led them in worship. He had a deep love for his church family and served them in a way that exemplified the love of his Savior. Sam was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May 2024. While many might become angry and bitter at this news, Sam marveled at the overwhelming love of God in this diagnosis. He recognized this trial as a means of his own sanctification to look more like Christ; he often mentioned this line from How Firm A Foundation: “Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.” His gold was being refined by cancer. The battle with pain was constant until the end of his life, but Sam never failed to speak of the wondrous works of God in his own life to everyone and anyone. He passed from this world on September 8th, 2024; surrounded by his wife and four sons, having finished his race well for God’s glory and ushered into eternal worship of his Lord and Savior. Sam is survived by his wife Jennine, his four sons and their wives, and six grandchildren: Drew & Cathryn with Mia, Olivia, and Matthew in the Elbing area; Josiah & Francine with Madeline and Isaac in Visalia, CA; Steven & Paige with Molly in the Elbing area; and Paul & Kayla in Sacramento, CA. Sam’s Verses To Live By Ps 73:25-26,28 2 Cor 1:3 Ps 94:18-19 Ps 34:17-18 Rom 15:13 Ps 59:9 Eph 3:17-19 Zeph 3:17 Isa 26:3 Jer 29:11-13 Ps 33:18 Ps 125:2 Ps 42:1 Ps 112:6-7 Isa 33:6 Ps 31:14-16 Ps 91 Ps 92:1-2 Jn 14:1-3 Phil 4:4-9 Ps 27:1, 13 Ps 121 Ps 119:160 Phil 1:27-29 Ps 94:19 Matt 5:16 Phil 1:6 Job 23:10-12 Heb 7:25 Ps 143