Barry and Jennifer Smith – EM Resident Spotlight

[print-me/] Here is another outstanding couple that lives in Eagle Mountain. Eagle Mountain is full of interesting people that help the community in so many ways. Barry and Jennifer Smith do a bible study in their home, as well as a diaper/formula pantry for emergency assistance in Utah County. The bible study does not just include reading the good book, but it includes free dinner and free childcare for the Bible Study group. The Smiths have lived in Eagle Mountain for the last 3 and a half years. They moved from Central Florida in 2013, then after two years the moved to Eagle Mountain. When asked why they moved to Eagle Mountain, they responded, “The views! We love being able to look down over the valley and see the mountains and Utah Lake as the sun is setting. The alpenglow is just breathtaking. When you’ve been born and raised in Florida, waking up each day to these spectacular views is amazing.” They are right, the alpenglow (I had to look that one up) in Eagle Mountain can be truly amazing. The Smiths have 5 kids, ranging in ages from 25 to 13 years old, and a grand baby that recently turned 1. “We love spending time together and traveling as much as we can. We have a large extended family back east and we miss them but now our house seems to be a popular vacation destination among our friends and family and that works just perfectly for us.” Pictured above are Barry and Jennifer, two of their children Connor and Reagan as well as Barry’s parents Cliff and Vicki. When asked what brought them to Eagle Mountain they followed a higher calling and picked Eagle Mountain to set down roots. “We are church planters and we knew that God was calling us to plant in Utah. We spent quite a bit of time researching which areas had the least options for Evangelical churches and much of Utah County was in that area. As we continued to pray and seek guidance from the Lord, we both felt that Eagle Mountain was where we were being led. It is so beautiful out here! We loved the rural feel while still being close to everything else. It has a very family friendly feel.” Part of their Church Planting is to start with a Bible Study. “We started the first Bible Study in our home in October 2015. We saw it grow and change as people moved in and out. We eventually planted a church out of that Bible study in Saratoga Springs. That service never really got any traction and for a variety of reasons we stopped meeting as a church. So, we have had some kind of group meeting for over three years.” Their group is open to anyone, and they meet on Fridays. “Absolutely ANYONE can come to the Bible study. If you’ve never been to one, if you’ve always gone to church, if you have no idea what a Bible study is, if you have no idea what you even believe…perfect! All are welcome. Come as you are. We meet from 6:30 – 8:00 in our home, 7853 N Oakwood Drive, Eagle Mountain (Silverlake Neighborhood) Anyone interested can call or text either of us with questions or look us up on Facebook. (Barry – 385-630-1648; Jennifer – 385-630-1793) We include free dinner and free childcare for the Bible Study group.” The Church they formed in Saratoga Springs was called Pioneer Community Church, which they hope to be able to relaunch sometime in the future. There are other religions and bible study groups in the area. I asked them what was the purpose of their Bible Study group.

“Right now, we are studying hard questions we have about the Bible. Some of the questions we’ve heard are

• “Does the Bible really say that women should be quiet in church?”
• “If God is loving, why do children get cancer?”
• “How would it be fair for a murderer to beg for forgiveness on their deathbed and go to heaven? Does the Bible support that?”

We want people to come with their questions and let’s see together what the Bible really says. We may not like the answer. Maybe we will, but at least we will know it. Then after this series of questions is over, we will move on to study a specific book of the Bible. In the past we have done the books of James and Galatians.”

The Smiths want to see this Bible Study group become more than just a study group in their house. Like they mentioned earlier, they are church planters and their goals for the group show that. “Our goal Is to grow this Bible Study and re-launch a Christian church out of it. We’ve been looking at and praying about re-launching closer to City Center. We’ve seen God work in some unbelievable ways throughout our lives and we know that He can do amazing things in Eagle Mountain. Even if we never launch a church again, we want to be a place that builds relationships with those in the community and spends our time together growing in our understanding of the Word of God.” When asked what their favorite experience has been so far with their Bible Study, they Quote Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” They expand some on the Ecclesiastes scripture, “The relationships we’ve made through the Bible study have become lifelong friendships. We’ve gotten to do life with these people. We’ve watched the Lord move in their lives and we’ve been able to be there for some of their greatest highs and sadly some of their lowest lows but that is what Christian fellowships is about.” Not only do the Smiths help spread the word from the Bible with their Bible Study group, but they also run a diaper and formula pantry from their home. “We run the diaper and formula pantry out of our home. We just felt called to do it. We deliver diapers and formula to people that are struggling financially as long as they live in Utah County. We are not a weekly provider but an emergency service. Things happen. People get sick, divorced, lose jobs…we’ve been there. We just want to help be a bridge until they are back in their feet. Jesus told us that the world would know we were His disciples by our love. (John 13:35) We pray that when people look at us, they know that we are His.” If you would like to contribute to the diaper and formula pantry, you can do so by contacting them through the Pioneer Community – Diaper & Formula Facebook page. If you also find yourself in need of the pantries supplies, you can contact them through the page as well.

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