John Smith preaches regularly at St Martin's Community Church in Collingwood
St Martin’s Community Church
The St Martin’s vision of faith is one that befriends the poor and those communities of other cultures and alternative beliefs. This vision challenges those communities to act justly in the world, deal respectively with each other, and reach out to their neighbourhood.
John Smith, founding president of God's Squad Christian Motorcycle Club
God’s Squad CMC
God’s Squad was established in the late 1960?s in Sydney and founded on a broader basis, under the leadership of John Smith, in Melbourne 1972, where the Club Colours have been flown ever since. The Club primarily exists to minister among the ‘outlaw biker fraternity’ and associated groups, where it is an accepted and relevant expression of the Christian Church.
The evangelism, teaching and social commentary ministry made an impact across Australia and abroad in 2010-11.
In 2010:
- embarked on a whirlwind ministry journey to England & Wales, including major seminar presentations in the UK Greenbelt Youth Festivals, celebration of the 15th year of God’s Squad United Kingdom chapter (now 3 UK chapters and an Irish Republican venture).
- Spoken at some highly effective men’s breakfast presentations - Spoke at the major Gold Coast Easter music fest with Don Francisco - Continuing regular ministry in God’s Squad and St Martin’s Community Church.
In 2011:
- we recently had the edited but expanded version of my Doctoral dissertation published by Emeth Press
- Almost a decade of research and pondering has finally produced The Myth of Self Esteem for publication.
- Ministry and preaching opportunities in Adelaide, including conducting seminars at the SA Schools Ministry Chaplaincy Conference for 350 chaplains.
- Six weeks abroad included ministry at the Euro God’s Squad run in Germany, encouraging the amazing new outreach & faith community centers called God’s Garage set up by God’s Squad in the Ukraine, Lithuania and Norway.
- Keynote address and seminars with the outstanding European Christian Artists
- Privilege of preaching at the oldest Protestant Church in Asia (Macau), to mainly a Philippino audience.
- Ongoing commitment to mentoring, pastoral care, weddings and along with regular preaching/speaking opportunities. There is no end of work behind & before us.
- And, of course, our big sea-change, where Glena and I moved from their home of 41 years to Ocean Grove with daughter Kathy and Simon and 6 home-schooled children in walking distance. Paul and Natasha and their 2 continue in Lilydale and Lyndal, Keith and their 9 in Canberra. How blest we are.