Articles and Testimonies
In addition to the selection of articles below, be sure to look at our Articles Resource page. We are building an extensive list of pertinent devotional topics and articles for your encouragement.
Articles by John Smid (click here)
A New Life!
A selection of John’s life that is an example of how a few people influenced him with a “living” gospel of honesty and unconditional love.
The story of John Smid coming to salvation through his experience with many people sharing their life with him. A Journey of Thomas testimony.
by John Smid
My Journey-An overview of John Smid’s life story
by John Smid
Learn how God’s grace in John Smid’s life became the foundation for Grace Rivers. This is a more comprehensive version of John’s story.
Feelings: Should we live by them?
by John Smid
Feelings are the guidepost to our healing and maturing process as well as a God given design for protecting us from relational harm.
A Tribute To My Dad_2010
by John Smid
A story of a father dealing with a challenging situation in his son’s life. A model of how a father can implement God’s grace for his son to follow.
Grace Rivers Newsletter Archives
November_2009 – One Year Anniversary
January_2010 – Finishing 2009 Well
March_2010 - Reaching Out
May_2010 – Missing Person’s Report
July 2010 – “Feeling Stuck?”
The Journey of Thomas
This is our signature series of teachings that will lead you to an exciting and encouraging journey of discovery of your own heart. It will also lead you to see others differently. Do you want to be Followers of Jesus Christ who are impacting our communities with the gospel?
It is my hope to see every Follower of Jesus Christ as a vessel of salvation and restoration to those God sends them to. (Matt. 28:19)(Gal 6:1)
Click here for an overview of the series and printable PDF’s of each teaching.
Special Discipleship Groups
Life Transformation Groups
Through the ministry of Grace Rivers, we are working to establish a network of LTG’s locally to begin with. Starting with individual meetings one on one to impart the vision of a LTG, it is our goal that these twosomes will become a group of three men. The goal will be add a fourth person and divide again into two groups of two. The strength of a LTG lies with a commitment to a specific LTG Bible reading plan and the goal of reaching others who desire the same community and personal growth. This is an inward, as well as an outward plan of personal discipleship.
Discipleship Coaching / Mentoring / Counsel
Grace Rivers is available for personal support through life circumstances or challenging relationships. Grace Rivers’ teachings and techniques are applied to offer insight and encouragement to your situation.
One person had this to say about their experience:
“(Discipleship Coaching) was incredibly helpful in that it gave us hope, gave us support, gave us direction and gave us information. We appreciated the honest and straight forward dialogue with the center always coming back to Jesus.”
Please contact us for more information and to schedule a telephone conference.
Ministry Links
At Grace Rivers we believe that each of us has not only the liberty, but the responsibilty, to make our own decisions about how we will live our life. In the spirit of Christian liberty, we have given some resources below that may be helpful in research and support for some very personal struggles.
These links may provide additional helps in your personal journey. Grace Rivers is not responsible for the content of other websites.
Hopequest Ministry
Life dominating personal struggles such as chemical dependency or sexual brokeness
Healing for the Soul
Sexual addiction specialty
Battle Plan Ministries
Support ministry for the Memphis region regarding sexually addictive behaviors
Exodus International
For those who believe homosexual behavior to be incongruent with the Christian faith
The Evangelical Network
A group of Bible believing churches, ministries, Christian workers and individuals bound together by a common shared faith, united in purpose and witness and established as a positive resource and support for Christian gays and lesbians.
The Gay Christian Network
On Line Community for Christians who happen to be gay or lesbian and their loved ones
Evangelicals Concerned
Evangelical Community for Christians who are gay or lesbian
Life Choices
Pregnancy Resource Center
Single Adult Ministry
An excellent resource for those who are single or those who want to encourage single adults who desire supportive resources.
