New Samaritan CEO Jim Taggart commits to continuing ministry's Mission, Purpose

New Samaritan Ministries Chief Executive Officer Jim Taggart says he will continue the effort to redeem health care that the ministry has pursued under outgoing CEO Mark Zander.

Jim becomes CEO of Samaritan effective February 2, with Mark retiring and taking a consultant role.

The new CEO said he hopes to build on the work Mark has accomplished.

“I love our Purpose and Mission, the idea of redeeming health care, and I continue to believe that we do it right,” Jim said recently. “My goal is that our members don’t see or feel a transition, that it is seamless. I hope we continue to move the ministry forward into what God has for us for the next 30 years.”

Jim has been a member of the Samaritan Board of Directors since 2020 and its chairman since 2023.

Building on the foundation

Mark is confident Jim will continue his work, further building on the foundation laid by founder Ted Pittenger

“Jim is totally bought in on our Purpose, Mission, and strategy, and is committed to continuing to keep Jesus at the center of everything the ministry does,” Mark said.

Jim said that while he didn’t seek the position, he and his wife, Kelli, were certain that when the Samaritan Board offered it to him, it was the Lord’s will.

“When the Lord says to do something, I try not to tell Him no,” Jim said.

He also emphasized that “every time you hear me say ‘I,’ it is me and Kelli 100 percent.”

“There has not been one thing I have decided that hasn’t been the result of Kelli and I praying about it together and separately, talking about it, making incremental decisions.”

Experienced and encouraged

Jim has more than 35 years of experience in overseeing large organizations and helping missions and ministries. He has been a chief financial officer, a chief operations officer, and president at a variety of corporations. He has guided companies through strategic growth, financial restructuring, and long-term planning. He has also founded and scaled several businesses and served in multiple board leadership roles.

He and Kelli have also been active in missions work for 25 years. They started Gaderian Coffee, an online shop which gives 100 percent of its profits to missionaries involved with Engadi Ministries, Wycliffe Ministries, Navigators Collegiate, and Mesa Global.

He is excited about the newest platforms and programs in REDEEM Healthshare that Samaritan launched last year..

“Because I’ve been on the Board for almost six years, I’ve been a part of the approval process of our REDEEM journey,” he said. “I’m already bought into it, so you don’t have to convince me we’re on the right path.”

Appreciation for Mark

Jim praised Mark for his leadership at Samaritan over the past several years.

“Mark is the most capable, humble, Christ-following executive I have ever met in my life,” Jim said. “God knew who Samaritan needed as CEO. We have a great working relationship and a great personal relationship. It’s been an honor to be the Board chairman and build our relationship.”

Mark said he is grateful for his experience as Samaritan CEO.

“Serving God and our members in the Body of Christ has been the greatest honor in my life,” he said. “It’s not only been professionally fulfilling but has deepened my family’s and my walk with Jesus, and for that I’ll be forever grateful.”

Asking for prayer

Jim asked for prayer for Samaritan and his new role as CEO going forward.

“Kelli and I solicit the prayers of everyone in this ministry as we take on this endeavor that we know God has called us to,” he said. “My prayer has been that God would fill me to overflowing with godly wisdom and would provide me the tools and words and decision-making I need for however long He chooses to use me in this role.”