Cherylann served as an advocate and researcher with She Is Safe (formerly Sisters In Service) before the nonprofit organization was officially formed. She joined the first research team to interview women in least reached countries to gain stories and insights for the InterVarsity Press book, Daughters of Hope.
The interviews with women who suffer to serve so captured Cherylann’s heart that she longed to help them. To begin, she formed a She Is Safe Advocacy Group in Castro Valley, CA, which continues its exemplary work to raise awareness and funds for Transformation Groups-India.
Once the nonprofit was established, Cherylann was among our first employees, serving as South Asia Director, then India Director and most recently as Transformation Group Program Director.
Cherylann was a cheerful and avid learner – drawing from local women leaders’ best practices for preventing abuse and slavery, while exalting Christ and strengthening leaders with insight and love. What she learned and shared with the She Is Safe family became our most powerful, replicable program: Transformation Groups.
Cherylann’s deep love caused her to shoulder the burdens that indigenous women leaders bear and endeared her to every leader and co-worker across the continents where She Is Safe works.
We can only estimate the far-reaching effects of Cherylann’s loving labors. Conservatively, the number of women, girls and families lifted is into the hundreds of thousands who benefitted over these nearly 20 years – and the waves of transformation continue into eternity.
Thank you for your love, prayers and support for Cherylann as she served, and for growing her legacy into eternity.
Michele Rickett
Founder & CEO
The Cherylann Sammons Memorial Fund
This memorial fund provides a way for you to go on honoring the life and ministry of Cherylann by funding the equipping of women in high-risk places to build lives of freedom and faith for a strong future – for this generation and the next through the program she helped to develop and lead.
In Transformation Groups, 12-20 women meet weekly under the guidance of a trained local leader to gain skills in literacy, income generation and business development, saving and lending, and abuse prevention.
You may give toward this fund by mail or by calling 877-552-1402.
Share Your Memories of Cherylann Here
When we remember Cherylann, we think of her sitting on the floor in a village home surrounded by a group of women. Not just any group of women – a Transformation Group. She knows these women and understands their challenges. It’s why she seems so at ease. It’s why she can laugh with them and cry with them, hold their hands and pray. And even though there are many cultural barriers that should separate them, she knows how to speak the language of love that binds them together. Even when she challenges them and asks hard questions about their saving and lending, the women let her into their world, drink their tea or coffee, and hold their babies.
Do you have memories of Cherylann? Please share your thoughts in the comment box below:
Cherylann exemplified what it means to be a sacrificing, loving, caring Christian even while battling for her life – she walked the talk and exuded the joy of the Lord and her love for those who were in desperate need of Him. She was a light in the darkness.
A beautiful friend who loved Jesus with her whole heart! I am blessed to have known her! ❤️
December 06, 2018.
Dear Mrs. & Dr. Michele Rickett,
We the whole BFM family of thousands especially the thousands of Dalit women in the six states of BFM ministry express our deepest and painful verse of sorrow for the demise of our dear Cherylann Sammons. Though physically she is taken to the hands of her savior for whom she lived and walked in the earthly world and lives with us no more spiritually Cherylann Sammons lives in our hearts.
She left the world of pain and misery and the contribution she has made impacted the thousands of women and girl children in the ministry of Bible Faith Mission especially in the family of the Bishop’s. Whenever she stayed with us she was a sparking light in all her actions, prayers and concern. She will be remembered as long as the BFM ministry exists.
Dear Mrs. & Dr. Michele we know that you lost a great warrior in the ministry of “She Is Safe”. It’s our prayer that God would give you peace and also provide you a suitable person of God’s choice to replace Cherylann Sammons.
Thanking you.
Yours in Him,
Arch Bishop Moses Swamidas.
I am donating in the honor of Cherylann Sammons. I never had the chance to meet her but am in awe of her daughter Amber. Amber shows up to make a difference in the world just like her mama. This is a incredible foundation and Id ike to donate each year! Cherylann made a impact on this earth and is continuing to do so!
Cherylann was an amazing servant of the Lord, and a testimony in many areas that most Americans will never see. She was driven to follow Christ anywhere He led her. And she did. Cherylann was also a dear, dear friend. I had the great privilege of traveling with her as we worked together in forwarding the work of She is Safe. We were a good pair. Cherylann wanted the facts…absolutely correct and in detail. I wanted the stories. Together we were able to get much farther, and dig far deeper, than we ever could have done alone. One time we got to India late and tired. We were immediately informed that the evening would feature a long program and one of us should preach. We couldn’t do it and do justice to the message God would want. So we decided to do it Indian-style–through drama. We quickly put together a presentation of Queen Esther who saved her people from annihilation. I told the story and Cherylann played all the parts–zipping back stage to change from one thrown-together costume to another. To this day, I never go back to India but what someone talks about that little play. Thank you, dear Cherylann. You were one of a kind. I miss you terribly, but heaven is a happier place because you are there.
One of the privileges in life as a follower of Jesus is to connect with the worldwide family of God. I have met Cheryl Ann twice in life once in Mumbai and once in San Jose, while I worked with Oasis. She touched lives in very pognant ways. She helped women and children who were trafficked and infected with HIV by supporting their access to treatment through the provision of a mobile health care unit. Her joy, deep faith and infectious enthisiasm is a witness of the God whom she lived and served and spent her life sharing it with many of my country’s poor and suffering. I had the privilege of staying connected with her electronically on various matters but it has been a deep sad shock to know her life has been snatched out because of the fight against cancer. I thank God for her legacy, memory and labour of love and am grateful to God to have connected with a women who uniquely lived, loved and gave her life to demonstrate Jesus !
Hi there! Such a wonderful write-up, thanks!
Hi there! Such a great post, thank you!
Hi there! Such a nice short article, thanks!
No one more humble,
no one more trustworthy,
no one more tenacious,
no one more lovely,
my friend Cherylann.
I have no doubt that the love and hard work God started through her in this organization will flourish and be exceedingly and abundantly more than we (or she) could have ever imagined.