The Buzz::

Marriage Retreat/Conference:

"One point that strung a chord with me was the point that you made that even my spouse should not be on my priority list--that when my priority is Christ only, HE creates a beautiful marriage. Also, understanding that everything that happens in my relationship with my spouse, and my relationship with the Lord, is all part of the journey, so there is no reason to become anxious."

-Kelsey, some of her thoughts from the MarriedLIFe Retreat 2011

"In the Spring of 2010, Colonial Hills was blessed to host Matt and Dani Smith for a Marriage Conference. The comment I heard time and again, was that Christ communicated through Matt and Dani in a way that set apart their teaching and discipleship on marriage from anything our families had heard.

Matt and Dani bring to the table an honest, Scriptural approach to living life in Christ and allowing Christ to live His life in and through you. Their authentic testimony combined with their understanding of the truth of God's Word allows Christ to work through them to provide an environment where people can dig into what it means to find your identity in Christ.

What I appreciated most was the manner in which Matt and Dani easily engaged with our people, providing simple, practical tools for couples to use on a daily basis. A lot of material sounds good in theory, but fails the test of reality. Matt and Dani's materials were refreshing, but not new, because everything came straight out of Scripture. What our families learned during the conference, they're still using on a daily basis months later.

Christ spoke clearly through Matt and Dani to help many of our families take their first steps towards believing who they really are in Christ and away from the lies they were believing about themselves."

-Nate Murray, Pastor to Families at CHBC Tyler, TX

"The concepts Matt and Dani presented were fresh and unlike any other marriage retreat I've ever been to. I appreciate the fact that everything was based on the Bible and that we weren't given false hopes that our marriages would become perfect after our experience with you. The bottom line for me was that I can't change my spouse, but through God's wisdom, I can change myself and my expectations of what marriage should be...You guys hit the nail on the head and I think everyone appreciated your approach to living in freedom.

-Mikyela

"We've been to a few marrige conferences in the past, but I believe this is the first one that truly got to the heart of the matter...the only one that was truly life changing. I appreciate your ministry VERY much."

-Stephanie

Youth Events:

"My name is Aisley and I'm a freshman in high school. I've always grown up in a Christian home and "accepted Christ" when I was ten. I say that lightly because itw as more like I prayed the prayer and kept on living life. At the time I was home-schooled but I went into public school in seventh grade. During the beginning of that year I really gave into the influence of the world and began to turn away from God. He just didn't seem like the best way to go. I had convinced myself that what the world had to offer was a lot better than what God had for me. By the end of that year I had completely turned away from God. Not only that, I had pushed Him away. I could feel him telling me that what I was doing was wrong but I didn't care. I wanted to do what I wanted to do. I began to find my identity in things like sports, friends, and - most of all - guys. But it was never enough. I always had an empty feeling and nothing I was doing would fill it. The summer after seventh grade I did things like Back Yard Bible Clubs with my church and a missions trip to Ukraine. I was constantly hearing God's word but part of me was still ignoring it. In eighth grade it was still the same. I began searching for something to put my identity in but nothing seemed to fit. Towards the end of that year I started to realize that maybe God was the way to go. So I tried to add God into the mix of my old life. That wasn't working. Then, that next summer at Training Camp for Back Yark Bible Clubs (Impact), Matt Smith spoke on Philippians 3 and surrendering our lives to Christ. He was saying that in order to live our lives for Christ and in Christ we had to give our whole life to Christ. As I was thinking about it I didn't understand that after all I had done, Christ would still want me back. It didn't make any sense. But then after reading a few other passages in the Bible I realized that Jesus doesn't require us to be perfect. I may have pushed God away but He had never gone anywhere. He had been there all along and He was only waiting with open arms for me to come back. But then came the hard part. Letting go. Paul said, "For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish...". So I was supposed to just give up my whole life and everything I knew? And not only that, I had to count it as rubbish? It didn't make sense. How could God expect me to just give it all up? I'd be left with nothing. But then I read the rest of the verse where Paul says "...in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him...". Now I was starting to put the pieces together. Yes, I had to give up my whole life and everything I knew. But that wasn't it. All of that was to be replaced by a new life in and for Christ. The thought seemed easy at first but doing it wasn't. I was terrified of letting go. I knew that what God had in store for me was going to be so much better but I still didn't believe it. After Matt's talk on the last night I talked with one of my dearest friends who prayed with me. Then I decided that I was going to do it. I gave my life to Christ that summer and it was to this day the best thing I have ever done. I now understand what Paul meant when he says that he counted it all as rubbish. Looking back at my old life compared to what I have in Christ I see now that what I had truly is rubbish. I will admit that life isn't easy and I do still go through bad times. But knowing that I am not living my life but am simply allowing Christ to live through me, it's easier to see a way out of things. It's like Matt said, the path to dependence is almost always through brokenness. He is totally right. But that's not where it ends. Christ doesn't just take away our life and leave us there. He takes upon himself the burden of our empty lives and replaces it with the "surpassing gain" of knowing Him. And I can promise you that it really is worth it!"

-Aisley, High School Student

“Matt connected very well with my students as well as the youth workers. Everyone LOVED the fact that he was totally devoted to the weekend AND that he was physically involved in ALL that we did! The strongest aspect of Matt's involvement during the weekend was his willingness to be one on one and involved with kids doing everything! The material was also very amazing."

- Jeff Burns, Youth Pastor at Heights Baptist Church Temple, TX

“It was such a joy to be part of the weekend. Our theme was Freedom, and with Matt and Dani's leadership for the weekend I was truly free to just be with the youth and minister to them without having to worry about all the details that Matt & Dani took care of. Matt is able to deliver a message that has scriptural depth, but also one that the kids can understand and will latch on to. As a youth minister I could not say enough good things about what Matt and Dani did for our youth." 

- Jeff Stegall, Youth Pastor at First United Methodist Church Temple, TX

“I got a lot out of what you said and especially the small group sessions. I realized that I need to put more thought into where I find my identity, and not let the world tell me what I need to be. I think that what was discussed made a lot of people, myself included, rethink a few things about their lives and who we are. I hope to see you again soon."

 - Judson, High School Student

College Events:

"God has really been working on me all semester with what your talk during the TBC Retreat about our identity and comfort in Christ alone. It seems to be a theme for me - my college pastor and I talk about it nearly every week. Anyway, thanks for allowing God to use you in my life, you certainly started and introduced a lesson to me that God has continually been teaching me about ever since."

-Curtis , College Student

 

"I asked Matt to come speak at our College Life fall retreat where he shared not only his insights around the Word, but his very life as well! Throughout the year that ensued, I heard students again and again relate back to something they remembered from one of Matt's talks. His conversational approach to unpacking the deep truths of forgiveness, grace, and sanctification make the gospel of Christ very accessible to students! Clife looks forward to a continued relationship with Matt in the future."

-Shannon Soard, College Pastor at Temple Bible Church

Sermons and Bible Studies:

“I am always amazed how God uses Matt to speak to me in a special way. He takes a unique perspective and delivers God’s Word in a relevant way. Through his teaching, Matt reveals his heart and shows his desire to be continually transformed by the Holy Spirit. He has challenged me to seek God’s purpose and daily find my identity in Christ. God has annointed Matt and prepared him to do great things for His kingdom.

 - Andrea

“Matt's sermon was such a blessing! God has given him a gift for communicating His truths in a vivid and positive way that impresses hearts such as mine. I have carried that message of God being a God of hope and peace and joy with me for days now and have enjoyed the Lord so much because of it.

 - Linda

“I have been a Christian for 24 years. God has led me through so many things in my walk with Him, yet at times it is hard for me to REST in Him. What a wonderful blessing I received a couple of weeks ago when Matt spoke at our church and reminded us that God's plan is for us to LIVE in His HOPE, PEACE AND JOY! God is just waiting to hear us say "I give up!" Because, when we do, He can open up the true blessing of ABUNDANT LIFE that He has planned for us already. Matt pointed out that we spend so much time "waiting" until our circumstances change before we think we can be happy, when all along God is right there with the answer to our circumstances...."Stop, Give Up - Give it to Me! I am a trustworthy God and I am in control!" I pray that my life and the lives of all who hear God's Word will never be the same again.

 - Dinah

“This material influenced my life in an amazing way. What I loved about it most, was its deeply rooted scriptural focus, and how it penetrates to the core of who we are. While studying the scripture, this material led me to reestablish my identity in Christ rather than the things of this world. It is applicable to the issues that every Christian struggles with and yet rarely has the strength or courage to deal with. This information covered in this study will bring those to the surface and assist one in dealing rather than suppressing. I am very thankful that I spent the time in this study and my life will never be the same. 

 - Chris Bradford, Youth Pastor in Texas

“My thirteen year-old daughter studied this material with Dani in their youth group. The first thing I noticed was that she was actually doing the homework and her Bible was always open beside her nightstand! She was genuinely excited about what she was learning and often shared some of her readings or answers with me. Since the study has ended, it is obvious to me that my daughter has a new security and a new sense of who she is in God. She knows what she believes and in whom she believes. She is bold in her faith and she shares her knowledge with others.”

- Kristy, Youth Mom and Youth Worker

“I can honestly say that this material taught me more about my relationship with Christ than any other study I have ever done. It was not just a study but a transformation of how I looked at life according to Christ and who He really is to me and in me! I have continued to reap the blessings in the lessons I learned. They are not always easy lessons, but truly God doing what it takes to get me to Him. To daily rely on Him and the Holy Spirit for guidance in everything, not just those things I want to ask Him to be in! When our teenagers began this material, I saw them truly begin to break through some of the barriers they had put up between God and themselves. They have continued to learn and continued to know what God is in their lives. They are teenagers and do not always make the choices we want for them, but after going through this material, I have seen them at least stop and think about what the choice means to them and begin to see what God wants in their lives! I wholeheartedly recommend that you pray about having this study and ministry in your church. It will change lives!” 

 - Amy , High School Counselor and Youth Worker for 9 years