Born in Brookhaven, MS, Sample received a BA from Millsaps College, an MDiv and PhD from Boston University, and a DD from Coe College. A former cab driver, laborer, and oil field roustabout, he is currently a freelance speaker and consultant and lives in Goodyear, AZ. A much sought-after lecturer, storyteller, workshop leader and consultant, Tex is a contributor to many of the DVD programs in the Living the Questions series. His most recent book is Earthy Mysticism.

Tex is his real name, not a nickname. His father named him after Texanna Gillham, an African-American woman who was born in slavery and helped raise his father near Center, Texas.