God created his holy day plan of salvation before the creation of the universe. God wanted to create a family living in a relationship with him based on his love. But God knew that, given free moral agency, man would sin. One of the goals of God's plan of salvation is to teach us about godly love. No one will be in his family for all eternity unless they learn how to live according to God's love and desire to express it to others as part of God's family. The death of Jesus as our Passover to pay for our sins is a great expression of God's love. It also shows Jesus' love for us in that he was willing to give up his God level existence and become human in order to live a sinless life and give his life as payment for our sins.

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.