The Death of One Ministry Dream Leads to Another

When Ryan Smith became the teaching pastor at Collective Church in Westside Los Angeles several years ago, he felt like he had been given his dream job. The Western Seminary graduate had previously ministered in a variety of theological and cultural contexts, but soon realized that he was right at home pastoring and preaching in an urban, progressive context where people were far from Jesus.

“We were going through a wild season of repentance and baptisms—stuff of the Spirit,” says Ryan. “The church was healthier than it had ever been, and I really was doing my dream job.”

Despite the fruitful ministry, Ryan and his wife, Erin, faced a dilemma. With two young children to raise, Erin had a strong desire to move closer to her family in North Carolina. Ryan loved being at Collective Church, but he came to realize that he needed to be willing to give up his dream job for his wife and family.

“Guys can tend to view their wives as accessories to their ministries, with the goal of getting them on board with what God is calling them to do,” Ryan admits. “But I began considering what it means to be a ‘cross-shaped’ husband.”

After a lot of prayer and counsel, Ryan and Erin made the decision to move their family to North Carolina. Immediately they faced the question of what to do next. Would they be stepping out of ministry for a season? How would they continue to respond to God’s call to ministry?

At some point along the way, the idea began forming in their minds to plant a church in Asheville, NC, which was about an hour away from Erin’s hometown. Asheville was once described as the “Portland of the South” because of its progressive values. In many ways, Ryan realized it was very similar to the post-Christian context of LA.

“Asheville is kind of this progressive bubble in the middle of the Appalachians and is well-known for being ‘spiritual but not religious,’” says Ryan. “But I am developing a deep heart for Asheville to experience something like Collective LA.”

Throughout the entire process, Ryan has been encouraged by former classmates and faculty from Western. He is part of an ongoing chat group with several other graduates of the Bay Area Cohort and has developed life-long ministry friendships.

He also continues to connect periodically with Professor Gerry Breshears for prayer and encouragement.

“That my relationship with Gerry has extended beyond my time at Western was something I wasn’t prepared for. I am grateful for him.”

The leadership at Collective agreed to support Ryan and Erin’s efforts to plant a church, and a core group will be assembled sometime in 2025.

Looking back, Ryan is amazed at how God has been working to bring about a different direction for ministry.

“What felt like a death to my dream is opening up this entirely new possibility.”