Smith Chapel 2026 Vision: Becoming a River Church

---

 In Ezekiel 47, God gives a powerful vision: a river flowing from the temple, growing deeper as it goes, bringing life wherever it flows. Scripture reminds us that God’s presence is never meant to be contained—it is meant to move, to heal, and to give life.

There are two ways to imagine the church. A lake church gathers and holds. A river church gathers, forms, and sends. A lake church says, “Come and stay.” A river church says, “Come, be changed, and go.” A lake church asks, “How do we keep people?” 

A river church asks, “How do we send people?” Both love Jesus—but only one keeps flowing.

We believe God is leading Smith Chapel to become more outward-flowing. A church where faith does not stop on Sunday. A church where disciples are formed deeply and released boldly. A church where, wherever God’s people go—homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, or even travel sites—they carry a missional heart: to B.L.E.S.S. others by Beginning with prayer, Listening well, Eating together, Serving faithfully, and Sharing their testimony. We may not see immediate results. But God makes this promise: “Where the river flows, everything lives.”