E part in helping to grow emotionally healthy children of faith.
6
Share the best book you have read in 2014, and the music you enjoy most? The book is, Pete Wilson’s “Plan B: What do you do when God doesn’t show up the way you thought he would?” Then I don’t listen to radio but I do download lots of contemporary Christian and inspirational music from iTunes.
7
If you had one scripture to share with Plant City, what would it be? “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” John 3:17
8
What do you believe is the foundational mission of First Methodist Church? To be people who faithfully reach up in worship, reach out in mission, and reach deep in discipleship.
LEADERS IN FAITH: 9 REV EARL SMITH OF FIRST UMC BY DEREK MAUL
B
orn and raised in Ohio, Rev Earl Smith first moved to Florida in 1994, when he began ministry in Punta Gorda. In July of 2005 he was appointed to serve Plant City’s First United Methodist Church as senior pastor. Nine years later he’s a fixture in the community he has grown to love.
1
What do you believe makes Plant City unique as a community? Plant City has a great “pride of ownership” about it. What I mean by that is it continues to be one of those small cities that seeks to have a vision for its future that develops strong leaders in both industry and social contexts. It does much to insure a safe and friendly environment for families
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and business. While culturally diverse there is a great sense of cooperation and coherence.
2
How does First Methodist fit into your vision of a great community? First Methodist reaches out into the community to help be a voice of hope, compassion, and care for the residents and visitors here. Along with exemplifying the gospel of Christ we want to add to the tools that make Plant City a wonderful place to put down roots.
3
How would you invite this community to visit First UMC? In a world that often finds itself lost in the trivial pursuit of consumerism, First UMC hopes to
offer to everyone a message rooted in the foundation of faith. That pursuing a life in Christ becomes our greater purpose.
4
What gives you the most joy in ministry? Being able to offer Christ to the community in ways that help people open their minds to a God who is greater than our problems and larger than our fears. In him we can find our peace.
5
What do you do for fun, beyond the fun you have at church? I do a lot of bicycling for fitness and plans for bike-packing the USA. Also, visiting with family (especially the grandkids) out of state and doing our
What’s the biggest challenge you see for your faith community? The main message America is hearing these days comes from secular media outlets like television, movies, and news networks. The voice of American ideals, morals, and vision used to come from the wisdom of pulpits, educators and community leaders. Today we listen to pundits and commercials that teach a perverted sense right and wrong.
10
What’s the biggest challenge you see for Plant City? To hold strong to its past while becoming more visionary for its future. To take the best of what we have been and link it to the best we can become.