Tracey Smith

Tracey Smith RightNow Training Contributor Pastor, Small Group Ministry My name is Tracey Smith. My hometown is Athens, Alabama, and yes, I am a die-hard Bama football fan! I serve as the Pastor of Couple’s Ministry and Small Groups at Central Christian Church in Las Vegas, NV. God has blown me away with what He has done in my life over the past several years. I am privileged to have married my high school sweetheart, Hollye and God has given us two awesome children, Brianna and Breydon. As a family, we love to hang out, ski, hike, bike, basketball, baseball, football and anything else you can do outdoors! My overwhelming passion is seeing unconnected people connect to God and others in a life transforming community where they can grow to a full devotion to Him! If you would like to follow us on our journey, check out the links below. Tracey Smith Interview with Small Group Trader: Small Group Trader: When did you decide to serve in Small Group Ministry? Tracey Smith: Small Group Ministry became a part of my life whenever I was in college. Someone asked me to be the Small Group leader and I didn’t even have a clue what the term “small group” meant. It was during those formative years that me and my college buddies were able to embrace God’s radical truth and experience His amazing grace. Since that time, small group has played such a vital piece on my spiritual journey. Small Group Trader: What encouragement would you offer to small group leaders out there? Tracey Smith: Don’t do it alone! So many of us think that we can do it alone and we really (without realizing it) set ourselves up for failure or burnout! Isn’t it amazing that Jesus valued the opportunity to share the journey with others? Small Group Trader: In what ways have you and your spouse/family grown spiritually since you have been involved in this ministry? Tracey Smith: Over the past 18 years of being in ministry, Hollye and I have been on this amazing journey of having a front row seat of seeing God do some pretty incredible things. I would have to admit that one area that God is growing me in is the area of trust. “Don’t limit God!” God is always up to something big and He allows us the opportunity to be a part of it! At Central, we have a saying that says, “What Happens in Vegas CAN change the world.” God is continually teaching me that He can do more than I could ever ask, think or even imagine! Small Group Trader: Why does small group ministry play such a critical role in the church today? Tracey Smith: Small Group Ministry is where discipleship and life transformation happens. In what other environment do people intentionally sit down with other people and talk about spiritual things and share their life’s struggles and successes? Jesus told us to make disciples and I do believe one of the most effective ways to do that is through the role of Small Groups. Connect with Tracey on Facebook,  Twitter or check out his blog @smallgrouppastors.com