Welcome to

His Amazing Grace

Welcome to His Amazing Grace! Wherever you are in life and whatever brought you here, please know you are welcome. God has placed a special group of people on my heart—those experiencing seasons of transition through age, disability, mobility challenges, emotional hurt, loss, or difficult circumstances. Whatever your situation, remember: You are loved. You are not forgotten. You are not alone. God sees you, hears you, and still has an amazing purpose for your life. Here you’ll find devotionals, videos, songs, blogs, Bible studies, and opportunities for prayer. Our purpose is simple: to remind you that you are loved, valued, and never forgotten. If you would like to know more about our site, click here.

Pastor Chris J Smithey

Pastor Chris J Smithey

Chris answered the call to preach at just twelve years old, when he preached his first sermon. That moment marked the beginning of a calling that would shape the course of his life. At nineteen, he stepped into his first pastorate, trusting God to lead him beyond his years and equip him for the journey ahead. Since then, Pastor Chris has devoted most of his adult life to pastoral ministry, shepherding people with a servant’s heart and a deep love for God’s people. Prior to retiring in 2025 due to an eye condition, Chris served his final 22 years of pastoral ministry at Curtis Road Church of God in Champaign, Illinois. There, he and his bride of 48 years, Teresa, faithfully served their congregation—loving people, building community, and pointing hearts toward Christ. To learn more, click here.

Grace changes everything.

Daily Devotional

Today's Encouragement

There are times in life when grief becomes so deep that we don’t know what to pray. We may sit quietly and stare into space. We may begin a prayer and find ourselves unable to finish it. Sometimes all we can say is, “Jesus, help me.” And that is enough. Romans 8 reminds us that when we don’t know how to pray, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. God does not require us to come to Him with perfectly formed sentences or carefully organized thoughts. Grief can leave us emotionally exhausted. Sometimes getting through the day is all we can manage. But even in those moments, God is working. Your silence does not mean God is absent. Your inability to pray does not mean God has stopped listening. There are moments when prayer is simply sitting in God’s presence and allowing Him to hold your heart. If all you can pray today is, “Lord, help me,” pray it. That was Peter’s prayer as he was sinking. If all you can do is whisper the name of Jesus, whisper it. There’s just something about that name. God understands what your heart is trying to say. Let me encourage you today, when words are difficult, don’t avoid God. Come to Him just as you are, even if all you can offer is silence. I remember an old song that said, Tears are a language that God understands.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, help me when I don’t know what to say. Carry the prayers my heart cannot express and draw me closer to Jesus. Amen.

Latest Pause for Grace video

The Right Attitude in Worship

For all videos

From the Blog

Getting to Know Simon Peter (part 1)

Getting to Know Simon Peter (part 1)

This is part one of a three-part lesson about Simon Peter, Name: *Simon (named mentioned 57), Peter (142), Cephas (6), Simon Peter (20) Meaning of name: he who hears (Simon); (Peter)rock; Aramaic equivalent of Peter (Cephas) Ancestry and family life: Peter had a brother named…

Read More

Books by Pastor Chris Smithey

Share this: