Meet:
Pastor Shaun Smith!

I grew up in Greenville, SC, joined the Navy in 1975 and retired in 1996. I went into home remodeling, owned 4 construction and consulting companies before getting involved in ministry.

During my construction career, God led me to work with the elderly and disabled, remodeling their homes so they could continue to live independently. He also sent me on several mission trips and eventually to serve as missionary in NE Alabama leading mission teams. This was a MAJOR step in my life as a Christian.

We have 3 children and 3 grandchildren, the youngest is 13 and lives in Virginia Beach with our oldest son and his wife. The other grands 2 are adults and live in Illinois with our daughter Heather; our other son, Christopher, lives in Richmond.

Filling in the blanks:
     - When I was 17, I stopped believing in God and continued that for 17 years
     - I am a recovering alcoholic, July 13 th , Lord willing, I will celebrate 31 years of continuous
        sobriety
          o 2 years before getting sober I came to believe in God again—He knew how much I
              would need Him to stay sober
          o It was 13 years before I would fully accept Jesus into my life as my Savior

 

Donna, my wife, was critical in my returning to the church. She has been a faithful Christian most of her life and to be in relationship with her was to be involved in her church. Being an “All In” kind of person, I found ways to serve and learn. I got actively involved in United Methodist Men (UMM) at our church; eventually becoming a district president and on the conference leadership.

During this time, Donna got her 1st appointment and my number one job became supporting her ministry. 5 years later I was appointed to a 3-point charge in South Brunswick county. 2 years later, after 3 tornado’s struck the state, I was appointed to serve in disaster recovery as a construction manager for Waverly and Tappahannock. I continued to serve in a disaster recovery role for the next 3 years and served a ¼ time appointment in Stony Creek, VA. When the disaster work completed, a 2- point charge in Greensville County was added—I continued to serve these churches for 3 years, through Covid.

In 2022 one of our local pastors claimed the Promised Land and I was appointed to his church,
Monumental UMC. For the past 2 years, 2022-2024, I have served them and Independence UMC in Greensville County/Emporia.

My strengths in ministry: Preaching, Teaching, Evangelism, Inspirational Leadership, Problem
solving, Mission work

Other things I am involved in: Walk to Emmaus; Chrysalis, Kairos (Prison Emmaus)

 

Hobbies: Fishing and Golf