Grace Christian University Alumnus Serves Country and Community

"Brave" is a common characteristic found among Grace Christian students; whether it is serving the mission field, staying strong in their faith when challenged, or simply moving to campus without the comfort of familiar faces. For Chris Smith, C/O 2021, this is no exception.

In 2004 Smith attended a Christian camp where a coach helped to change his life. This experience deepened his faith and after the encounter, he felt called to serve at this same camp as a counselor. Once again, a life-changing experience brought him closer to Christ and solidified his desire to enter youth ministry. "I met a kid at camp who really didn't want to be there. By the time it ended he cried because he didn't want to leave. Pouring into him and allowing him to share his story made a big impact", Smith shared.

Between high school and college, uncertain of the specific path to take, Smith joined the United States Navy where he was stationed in San Diego. After a deployment to the UAE area and four years serving our country, he decided to return to Michigan and see where God would call him next. Connecting with a friend while volunteering planted the seed in Smith to relocate to the Grand Rapids area from his original hometown, and it was here that he became familiar with Grace Christian University.

"I visited Grace and applied for the Youth Ministry program. Once accepted, I moved to campus where I began forming connections at the start of Orientation." Aside from serving others there was another passion he hoped to pursue while living on campus, and in the summer of 2017, he worked hard to make this path possible. "I worked out hard that summer, and as fall began I earned a place on the Grace Tigers basketball team. I served other sports as well, like soccer and volleyball, in different capacities such as scorekeeping and transporting equipment. My senior year I was captain of the basketball team."

His learning did not stop once crossing the stage with his bachelor's degree. Smith entered the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program before completing his undergraduate studies and is currently completing his final course. He has accepted a Director position with the FCA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and in his role will be engaging in outreach events and connected with coaches from other FCA institutions. He recently returned from Kansas for his training in this role and was welcomed back with two more exciting offers. He has been hired as the Head Coach for the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay-Port High School Boys' Varsity Soccer Team and will be coaching their Girls' Junior Varsity Basketball Team.

Smith is eager to embrace these leadership roles where he will most certainly impact many lives. Though his path to college was uncertain, his commitment to Christ was not. He bravely followed his call to serve both country and community and is departing Grace Christian with undergraduate and graduate degrees, and two careers in place.