Samantha Tidball (Sam) is the Associate Pastor at West Side, where she oversees family ministries, community events, small groups, and spiritual formation. She holds a master’s degree in Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care from Fordham University, inspired by her chaplaincy internship at the University of Michigan Hospital. 

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sam graduated from Calvin University with a degree in Rhetoric Communications and played Varsity Softball. She continued her theological training at the Ministry Leadership Center in Nashville, TN, in partnership with Vanderbilt Divinity School and Memphis Theological Seminary. A lifelong youth pastor, Sam also has extensive experience writing curriculum for the United Methodist Publishing House and formerly served as Assistant Pastor at the Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor. 

When she’s not at church, Sam enjoys exploring local breweries, playing sports, and catching a comedy show. She enjoys conversations about faith and science with her neuroscientist husband. Together they love living in Ann Arbor with their two kids, dog, and bearded dragon, gecko, and too many fish to count.