Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Smith.
Hi Gary, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a small Black Pentecostal church, and honestly, ministry was never my plan. I was more drawn to business and entrepreneurship because that’s what I saw growing up—my parents were deeply involved in that world, and I thought that would be my path.
Everything shifted during a revival at my church. I remember watching a friend of mine at the altar, crying and having a real moment with God, and thinking, I want an encounter like that. The next day, I went to the altar myself, and as I began to pray, several pastors gathered around me, laid hands on me, and prayed over me. Something changed in that moment. I can’t fully explain it, but from that point on, I had a deep desire to preach and to understand the church in a greater way.
As that passion grew, I realized I didn’t have the guidance I needed where I was. That led me into a season of searching, which eventually brought me to Evangel Church International, where I met Clinton Powell. I came in confident and ready to preach, but he immediately challenged me and told me I wasn’t touching the stage—he was going to develop me first.
What made that season so impactful is that he didn’t just correct my mindset—he gave me opportunities to lead. I started hosting in youth ministry and was entrusted with something called “One Minute Truth,” where instead of preaching full sermons, I had to communicate biblical truth in just one minute. It sharpened me, stretched me, and also required me to develop others, not just myself.
Around that same time, we noticed a growing number of young adults showing up, so a Bible study was launched. Although someone else was originally assigned to lead it, I stepped in from day one. What started as just a few of us in a small room grew into 40–50 young adults gathering consistently. That growth eventually led to launching a full young adult service called Reset Miami, where we began seeing over 150 young adults gathering weekly.
Like many ministries, COVID disrupted that momentum, and during that transition, our church shifted into a new season. I stepped into a Dream Team Pastor role, helping build and lead teams from the ground up. That season reinforced something Pastor Clinton told me early on: there are a lot of people who can preach, but not a lot who can lead. That became a core conviction for me.
After that, my wife and I stepped out in faith and relaunched Reset in our local community, funding it ourselves and continuing to see lives changed. Through that journey, Pastor Clinton connected us with the team at Cool Church, where we found strong alignment in vision and mission.
Today, my wife and I serve as young adult pastors at Cool Church, leading The Blueprint—the young adult ministry of the church. The Blueprint exists to equip young adults to live God’s way in every area of their lives. We’ve seen hundreds of people say yes to Jesus and over a thousand young adults come through our gatherings. What’s happening is more than just services—it’s a vibrant, Christ-centered movement where people are encountering God, building community, and growing in their faith in a real and practical way.
Our heart is simple: to give young adults a clear blueprint for their lives—one rooted in Scripture—so they can not only learn it, but actually live it out.
Looking back, what started as a moment at an altar has turned into a lifelong calling—not just to preach, but to lead, develop, and equip people to truly live out their faith.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Ministry, for me, has been built through pressure, not comfort.
One of the biggest challenges early on was learning how to transition from wanting to preach to actually becoming a leader. I had passion, but I needed development, discipline, and humility. Being told I couldn’t touch the stage right away was difficult, but it was necessary—it forced me to grow beyond gifting and into character.
There were also real challenges in building. I’ve led things that started small, grew quickly, and then faced setbacks—especially during COVID, when momentum slowed and we had to navigate uncertainty and rebuild. Seasons like that test your faith, your consistency, and your commitment to the call.
Another major area of growth has been learning how to balance ministry and marriage. As a newlywed, I’ve had to shift my mindset. Before marriage, I could give everything I had to ministry without thinking twice. Now, I’ve had to learn that my first ministry is my home—serving my wife well, being present, and building a strong foundation there. From that place, I’m able to lead and serve others more effectively.
On top of that, stepping out to build came with real pressure—financially, mentally, and spiritually. There were moments where it would have been easier to play it safe, but we felt called to keep going.
At the same time, those challenges shaped me. They taught me how to lead people, not just inspire them, how to stay consistent when things aren’t exciting, and how to trust God in every season.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change the struggles, because they’re the very things that built the foundation for what I’m leading today
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work has been shaped by a journey of growth—from very humble beginnings to leading in multiple spaces today. After graduating high school, I worked at a daycare for several years, where I served as a teacher and drove buses picking up kids from school. Honestly, that may have been one of the most impactful roles I’ve ever had. Driving that bus taught me more about leadership than any platform ever could. It taught me humility and showed me that every leader has to start somewhere.
From there, I stepped into church leadership, eventually becoming a Dream Team Pastor, and now I serve as the young adults pastor at Cool Church, where I lead The Blueprint, our young adult ministry. At the same time, I’m bivocational and serve as a Program Manager with Branches, where I help develop and grow student services at one of our sites.
If I had to define what I specialize in, it would be leadership. I don’t just see leadership as a position, but as the ability to develop people, build culture, and move a group toward a clear vision. In every role I’ve stepped into, I’ve been trusted to lead—not because I knew everything about the role, but because I knew how to lead people within it.
I’m known for being able to connect with people, build trust, and create environments where growth happens. Whether it’s in ministry or in the nonprofit space, my focus is always the same: helping people become who they’re called to be and aligning them around a shared purpose.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a title or a position—it’s the people. Seeing lives changed, leaders developed, and individuals step into purpose is the greatest reward.
I think what sets me apart is my ability to lead across different spaces with the same level of conviction and consistency. I may not always be the most experienced person in the room in a specific field, but I bring leadership, vision, and the ability to bring people together to accomplish something greater than themselves.
What’s next?
My plans for the future are centered around continued growth in leadership, faith, and family. I want to keep becoming a better leader and a more present, intentional husband. Being a great husband is a priority for me right now, and in time, Lord willing, becoming a great father is something I look forward to as well.
On the ministry side, my biggest focus is growing The Blueprint at Cool Church into one of the premier spaces for young adults in Miami—where they can genuinely have fun, build community, and most importantly, encounter Jesus in a real way.
My heart is to see young adults equipped to live God’s way in every area of their lives. I don’t just want them to attend something—I want them to be formed, strengthened, and sent out with a clear foundation for how to live.
Right now, my future goals are really rooted in that: becoming a more grounded leader, a more faithful husband, and continuing to build a ministry that impacts the next generation in a lasting way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @smitty_who
- Other: Speaker Booking link – https://forms.gle/6CuFNZmZ2ZNXWNv26
