Mr. Smith began the sermon by comparing a common penny to an uncommon and valuable one ounce gold coin.  He then asked what are the values that make a Christian uncommon.  Like parents watch children grow, God watches our growth and the values we develop.     God's values are shown in his law in the ten commandments.  Like children we begin to grow as Christians by learning to keep the letter of the law, but God wants us to move to the spirit of the law stage by letting his spirit work in our lives.  

Gary Smith

United Church of God Pastor

Gary Smith was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, but spent most of his youth in the Pasadena, California area. He graduated from Ambassador College in 1976 and he and his wife, Liz, moved to Peoria, Illinois. For the next six years he worked as a nursing home administrator in Illinois, Ohio, and Texas.
In 1982, he and Liz began to serve in the full-time ministry. Since that time, they have served in a number of congregations in the Midwest.
Gary and Liz now pastor in Houston, Texas near their two children and grandson.