Jan Smith

I grew up attending a denominational church, which is where I learned about Jesus. I came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior after beginning to seriously study the bible through BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). It was a way to go deep into the faith and it has made an eternal difference in my life. I was baptized as an adult at Coronado Central Beach by Pastor David after deciding that I wanted to make that statement of commitment to Jesus public.

We came to Graham Memorial in the summer of 2006 as a foursome. My husband Reed, myself, and our two daughters, Megan and Brianna. Our eldest daughter, Jessica, was already out of the house. She and my favorite son-in-law, Leo James, live in Los Angeles. Reed died in 2013, Megan moved back to Cameroon in July for her work with Wycliff, and Brianna still lives in Coronado and attends Graham when she isn’t working somewhere else in the country. Since we began attending, I have served as a deacon, choir member, Griefshare leader, small group leader, VBS leader, usher, and lay reader, among other jobs as needed.

I am currently busy finishing up a master’s degree in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at Talbot Seminary located at Biola University in La Mirada. As a child, I never had a dream of a future job. For now, I am a student. I am also a Spiritual Director offering direction to individuals on a monthly basis.

Lately, the Lord has been teaching me to be able to sit with others and listen for His voice. His kingdom is wide and expansive and yet within it I am hemmed in and safe. I am learning that there is safety even in the midst of hardship, and that I am loved by Him always. He is also teaching me to love others better, day by day. I hope to leave enough evidence of commitment to Christ that I could be convicted of that faith by anyone who looks for it.

I use whatever toothpaste is available. While I don’t have an answer for the question of who I would go back in time to meet (other than Jesus), I do look forward to many conversations with lots of folks, including Jesus, when it is my turn to return home.