Founder's Day is an incredibly special occasion for us here at City of Life Church. It's a day to reflect on God's unwavering faithfulness over the past 38 years and honor the journey that brought us to where we are today. If you're new to City of Life, allow me to provide some context about who we are and how we got here. I believe seeing God's hand throughout our history will inspire you to pursue the dreams He has placed in your heart.
The Dream Began Decades Ago
My parents, Drs. Gary and Janis Smith, came from humble beginnings. My father's grandfather was a sharecropper in Georgia, living a life of poverty and hardship. Despite these challenging circumstances, he encountered Jesus Christ, and his life was forever transformed. This spiritual awakening sparked a legacy of faith that would shape generations to come.
As a teenager, my dad had a profound dream – a vision of him preaching the gospel while people around him were set ablaze, not with literal flames, but with an internal fire ignited by the power of God's Word. Little did he know then that this dream would become the foundation of City of Life Church.
A Journey of Perseverance
The path to realizing this God-given dream was anything but easy. My parents faced numerous obstacles and setbacks along the way. Post-high school, m
y dad's young life took a detour into a world of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, leading to a stint in jail. It was there, facing a potential 25-year sentence, that he cried out to God, repenting and committing his life to preaching the gospel – the very dream he had as a teenager.
My mother, a coal miner's daughter from a volatile and impoverished upbringing, found solace in the things of God from an early age. When she and my dad crossed paths, they shared a common vision: to start a church that would minister to the broken, offering dignity and hope to those society had rejected.
Against All Odds
In an era when resources for church planting were scarce, my parents relied solely on their calling and the anointing of God upon their lives. My dad worked tirelessly at various odd jobs – from coffin sales to carpet cleaning – just to make ends meet while pursuing the dream.
On May 26, 1986, that dream became a reality when City of Life Church held its first service in St. Cloud, Florida. With a handful of faithful attendees, my parents established a precedent that still stands today: preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ every single week, no matter the circumstances.
A Legacy of Transformation
Looking back, it's incredible to see how far we've come. St. Cloud, once a small town of 8,900 residents, is now one of the fastest-growing cities in America, with a population of 62,000. Through it all, City of Life Church has remained steadfast, never missing a Sunday service or livestream, even during hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the past 38 years, we've witnessed more than 250,000 confirmed salvations – lives eternally transformed by the power of the gospel. This legacy of faithfulness, built on the foundation laid by my parents, is a testament to the fact that when we remain true to God's calling, He will remain true to His promises.
Never Surrender the Dream
As I reflect on our journey, I'm reminded of the tagline from the movie Southern Gospel, which chronicles my parents' story: "Never surrender the dream." These words resonate deeply, for there have been countless moments when it would have been easy to give up, to walk away from the difficulties and pursue a more comfortable path.
But my parents taught us something invaluable: when God places a dream in your heart, you don't abandon it at the first sign of adversity. You cling to it with unwavering faith, knowing that God's promises are "yes" and "amen" in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Steps to Pursuing Your God-Given Dream
If you find yourself wrestling with a God-given dream today, let me share a few key steps that have sustained us throughout our journey:
1. Receive the Dream
Begin by renewing your mind (Romans 12:2) and delighting yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4). As you draw closer to Him, He will align your desires with His heart, and the dreams He has planted within you will become clearer.
2. Get Inspired by the Dream
Allow the Holy Spirit, the very breath of God, to inspire you (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). Let Him breathe fresh vision and purpose into your spirit, revealing things beyond your wildest imagination.
3. Have Courage to Chase the Dream
Like Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on water (Matthew 14:25-31), you must have the courage to take that first step of faith. When doubts and fears arise, cry out to Jesus, for He will reach out His hand and steady you.
4. Adapt the Dream
Just as God can turn the heart of a king (Proverbs 21:1), be willing to adapt and adjust your dream as He guides you. The "what" and "why" may remain constant, but the "how" can shift and evolve.
5. Never Surrender the Dream
Persevere, even when the promise seems slow in coming (Habakkuk 2:2-3). Fight for your dream, run after it with everything you have, and never surrender until you see God's faithfulness manifested in your life.
A Lasting Legacy
As we celebrate 38 years of ministry, I can't help but dream about the future. I envision our grandchildren gathering to honor God's faithfulness through multiple generations.
You see, this dream, this calling, transcends any single individual or era. It's a timeless message of hope, a clarion call to remain faithful to what God has placed before us, even when the world around us embraces temporary pursuits.
So, let us follow in the footsteps of those who came before us, clinging to the dreams God has planted in our hearts and walking boldly into the future He has prepared. For when we remain faithful, our lives will be a testament to His unwavering goodness, impacting generations we may never meet, but whose lives will be forever changed by our obedience.
