House of Prayer Senior Pastor Kirk Smith

House of Prayer

...reaching the multitudes by touching the individual.

We are ambassadors of Christ united in the building of God's Kingdom,
committed to reaching the multitude by touching the individual.

Senior Pastor Kirk Smith

Family

Kirk & Joely were married in August of '91 and have ten children: Kashaiah, Gracelyn, Kanah, Ellyson, Kohen, Gideon (Digger), Kreisson, Zanaan, Zaken, and Heritage. The Smiths live on a small farm in rural Edwards County north of Bone Gap. Their animals include 2 golden retrievers (Annie & Abby), 5 horses, & way too many cats.

Kirk and Joely have home schooled for the past 9 years. "We love the teaching/learning opportunities that home schooling offers. Obviously, we hit the 3 R’s, but more than that, we want to teach our children such things as gratefulness, respect, commitment, etc."

While Kirk enjoys golfing, basketball, hunting, four-wheeler riding, reading, tinkering around the farm and landscaping, most of what the Smiths do is centered on family. "We feel that family is simply our very life. Our kids are the only things of real substance that we are going to leave when we die."

Ministry

As senior pastor, Kirk's responsibility is the overall spiritual health and direction of the church. The most notable is, of course, the teaching and preaching of God’s Word. Forecasting also plays a major part in our church’s growth. This includes studying church growth material and seeing how it applies to our local area and the local church. The main expression of forecasting is our one and five year goals, and these are set with the entire elder body.

"I entered the ministry for only one reason: I was called by God. Although numerous people told my folks that I was going to be a preacher, I had absolutely no desire to. All I wanted to do was teach and coach at the high school level. God started to do a work in my life starting in my sophomore year of college. This work of grace took me from not wanting to preach to the point that I knew that this was what I was created to do.

"I literally love every facet of the ministry. There’s nothing about the ministry that I don’t find enjoyment in. I love the time I get to spend in God’s Word and reading good literature. I love talking and thinking about the administrative side of things though Jason Laws is the pastor who is actually in charge of it. I enjoy the ministry of the praise band, counseling, community activities, small groups, etc.

"And, of course, I want to spend my whole life helping improve the life styles of people. I’ve relished each of these so much that God has been dealing with me to do less so I can accomplish more this year. I feel He is telling me to major on one or two things and let other competent people handle the rest. This has been a difficult transition for me, but one I’m determined to make."

Kirk concludes, "At the heart of my ministry is family. I believe that family life holds the key not only to our local church’s success but to that of our nation as well. This is why so much of my teaching refers make to some aspect of family life. A second major theme in my ministry is that of restoration. So many people have so messed up their lives. They have little hope of a bright future. It may be in one particular area like marriage or finances or it may be an entire life problem. They have to know that there is always hope even if our difficulties are a result of our own disobedience. This is what restoration is all about. That’s what I want my ministry to be about."

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Senior Pastor
Kirk Smith > >

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Karl Case