So What Faith

Greg Smith

Celebrating Personal and Professional Milestones (#2237)

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During the final two weeks of June, I am celebrating three significant milestones:

Birthday

The only time I previously blogged about my birthday was when I turned 40 (see My Milestone Birthday Experience).

Year after year, I continue to celebrate my birthday each year with friends and family. This year my celebrations stretched across an entire week and included special events in multiple states.

I’m truly grateful to everyone who reached out to offer birthday wishes and also for the opportunity to begin a new year of life.

Hope

I started at White Rock Center of Hope four years ago this week. Reaching the four year mark is significant as this is the first time I’ve served an organization in a full-time role for longer than three years.

Image from White Rock Center of Hope Facebook Post (June 23, 2025)

Over the years I’ve written quite a bit about my experiences at Hope, including several blog posts. The most noteworthy of these in understanding my experience as CEO are

Over the first four years, I’ve shepherded this faith-based non-profit through a season of dramatic growth. This year’s budget is exactly 100% larger the budget was the year I arrived and all of the services the organization provided when I arrived have doubled. Additionally, Hope is serving more people more deeply than ever before thanks to process improvements, increased volunteerism, and the launch of an empowerment service line.

I’m thankful for all of the people who make possible the ministry of Hope and excited to begin year five.

Advent

I started at Advent Lutheran Church one year ago this week.

To learn more about my experience as this congregation’s Interim Senior Pastor you can watch any of the many sermons I’ve preached. Additionally, you can find out how it all began in June 2024, see Advent alongside the other nine churches I served, and get a sense of how things are going now.

Over the last year Advent has journeyed through the traditional interim work of honoring their history while discovering their current purpose. This has enabled them to welcome new leaders and move toward the bright future God intends.

I’m appreciative of all of the members and friends of this congregation that power its ministry and mission. I’m hopeful about all that is yet ahead as this congregation moves toward its fiftieth year. And, while I’ve extended my contract beyond a year, I’ve done so with the understanding that the congregation is nearing the completion of their search for a settled pastor and that my ministry will come to an end whenever that person begins.

So What?

It is rare to experience three major milestones in a two week period. I’m thankful for the opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate each of these meaningful moments.

Finally, I’d love to hear from you how you celebrate milestones in life and at work.