Homecoming Chapel - James Bryan Smith

Speaker: James Bryan Smith (HOMECOMING CHAPEL)
James Bryan Smith is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, KS and a writer and speaker in the area of Christian spiritual formation. He also serves as the director of the Christian Spiritual Formation Institute at Friends University. A founding member of Richard J. Foster’s spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré Smith is an ordained United Methodist Church minister and has served in various capacities in local churches. Smith is also the author of A Spiritual Formation Workbook, Devotional Classics (with Richard Foster), Embracing the Love of God, Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven and Room of Marvels.

Chapel – Jacob Vangen

11 a.m.

Jacob Vangen

I’m originally from Cincinnati, OH (Skyline Chili for life!) and graduated from high school just across the border in Liberty, IN. In 2015 I graduated from Johnson University in Knoxville, TN with a degree in Youth Ministry, and graduated from Friends University in 2021 with a M.A. in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership. After spending six years in New England doing church planting and starting a youth ministry, my wife, Jordan, and I were happy to join Christ Church in the Fall of 2022. We are so grateful to be here; we love the community, Anglican worship, and the focus on living for the sake of others. I’m passionate about Student Life because I found Jesus through an invitation to youth group when I was 13 years old. Investing in middle and high school students is key to the health of the church as a whole. As students face many challenges, both personally and in culture, we get to create a safe, fun, and loving community that teaches them to experience God’s love and practice the way of Jesus in all of life. On a personal note, I love our chocolate lab Jaxon, reading on my porch, and anything to do with Marvel or Star Wars. My hobbies include pickleball, skiing, hiking and running. I’m always game for quality coffee and lingering conversation.