Gary Smith, founder of Iron Forums, discussesthe the his faith journey and life experiences.
Key Takeaways
– Gary’s faith journey began at age 30 through a powerful encounter with Jesus, transforming his life and perspective
– Intentional discipleship, mentorship, and staying connected to God daily have been crucial in Gary’s 40-year faith walk
– Gary emphasizes the importance of recognizing life’s seasons and preparing intentionally for future stages
– Iron Forums provides Christian business owners a community for growth, accountability, and support
Topics
Gary’s Faith Journey
– Raised in church but didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus until age 30
– Experienced spiritual transformation at a Cursillo retreat in April 1985
– Immediately noticed changes in thinking, words, and actions after conversion
– Wife saw the difference and had her own conversion experience two years later
Growing in Faith
– Emphasized daily connection with God before feet hit the ground each morning
– Stressed importance of discipleship and mentoring relationships
– Highlighted value of staying in God’s Word and filtering life through biblical truth
– Advised asking permission before giving advice to adult children
Family and Faith Transfer
– Prioritized being present for family dinners and bedtimes with children
– Emphasized creating structure and intentionality in family rhythms
– Encouraged viewing children’s stages as seasons that will change and evolve
– Stressed importance of preparing for future life stages (e.g. 60s preparing for 80s)
Business and Faith Integration
– Used business experience to prepare for founding Iron Forums
– Sees Iron Forums as his current mission and calling
– Encourages leveraging relationships within the Iron Forums community for support
Sharing Faith
– Advised relying on the Holy Spirit to guide conversations about faith
– Encouraged praying for opportunities to share and being open to God’s leading
– Emphasized seeing sharing faith as an adventure rather than a fearful task