Living for Christ—and with Christ—and His Kingdom: Sam Fleischer ’26

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Sam Fleischer ’26

Before Sam Fleischer ’26 stepped foot on Wheaton’s campus, a quick search online convinced him that he wanted to go to Wheaton. “I looked up what Christian college has the best community, and Wheaton was number one in my search results,” he said. “I wanted a place with Christ-like culture and good academics.”

Fleischer has experienced both of these aspects on campus. Fleischer had always been fascinated by Hebrew and learning about Wheaton’s reputable program convinced him to major in the language. Then, when he learned he could integrate his major with applied educational linguistics, he jumped at the opportunity. While taking a Christian Formation and Ministry class during his junior year, Fleischer knew he wanted to add this discipline as a minor. “As I was studying it, I realized there’s so much more to ministry than what I knew, and I kept on falling more in love with it,” he said. “Wheaton has such a rich culture of ministry that I wanted to soak up as much of the teaching as I could while I was here.”

He also wanted to soak up as many opportunities to engage in Christ-centered community as he could. During his freshman year, Fleischer applied for Orientation Committee, which organizes freshman orientation on campus. This decision provided Fleischer with one of his most important experiences at Wheaton. “It was the first Wheaton program I was involved in, and it was with a really good group of people that I probably wouldn’t have met unless I was on a team with them,” he said. “It was so valuable to learn teamwork, grow in administrative capacities, and develop more responsibility in that professional and fun setting. I also think OC led me to be involved very tangibly with the campus community from early on.”

His desire to serve undergraduates prompted him to serve as a Resident Assistant in Traber Hall. Fleischer initially developed an interest in the role after meeting his RA as a freshman. “I wasn’t sure exactly why I felt this way, but I thought to myself, ‘I think I want to be this guy in the future,’” Fleischer said.

Over time, the reason behind his desire to serve as an RA became clearer. “The driving factor was the ability to have a tangible and a personal impact on people, especially freshmen and sophomores,” he said. “And to be in a position where I could be there whenever they need help.”

During his junior year, his aspiration turned into reality. And it was unlike anything he had ever experienced. “There’s something truly unique about incarnational, lived-in ministry,” Fleischer said.

Balancing his many RA responsibilities with his academic work was not easy, but Fleischer managed to do so while prioritizing the freshmen under his care. “You can’t force people to be open to talking or to only need your help when it’s convenient for you,” he said. “You just keep your door open. And then, regardless of whether you have a paper due in the next 10 minutes, if someone comes in crying, you’re there for them. Being an RA taught me to identify my priorities.”

With his heart set on pursuing a career in ministry after graduating, Fleischer plans to take what he has learned beyond the borders of campus. “We’re not living for ourselves, but we’re living life for Christ in community,” he said. “It’s not just for Christ and his Kingdom. It’s with Christ and his Kingdom. God’s presence is all around us, whether we acknowledge it or not, and it’s our duty to be present enough to see him.”