After receiving his Bachelors degree at the University of Northern Colorado, Chad decided to attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville to get his Masters degree. While there, Chad was asked to help in Awana. All of his love and joy for the ministry he grew up in soon came back, and he convinced Karen to help as well. Chad & Karen soon volunteered to help the Awana Missionaries in Alabama. While working closely with them, and seeing how Awana was impacting the children of America with the Gospel of Christ, it soon became apparent to Chad & Karen that that the Lord was leading them in the direction of full time service in Awana. After much prayer, and completing Bible study, and training required by Awana, Chad & Karen were appointed as the Awana Missionaries for parts of Alabama in February of 2000. In September of 2001, God moved them back to their roots in Colorado as the Awana Missionaries for the Colorado Front Range. Chad & Karen feel like it is a great honor and privilege to serve you as you reach boys, girls, and youth with the precious, life changing Gospel of Christ.

Like all other Awana Missionaries, Chad & Karen are faith-supported missionaries, completely dependent on the gifts of God’s people in the area they serve for their living needs and work funds. Please click here for more information and ways to help support the minstry of Awana in Eastern Colorado.

Chad & Karen have two children. They are: Christopher (15 years old), and Deanna (14 years old). Both are all actively involved in Awana and support their parent's ministry in many ways.

The Eastern Colorado territory spreads from the Continental Divide to the eastern border of Colorado, and from the southern border of Colorado north to an imaginary line just past Longmont that is the beginning of Dave Farmer's territory. The Smith's and their Ministry Teams serve over 150 churches Eastern Colorado that have Awana programs. They provide support for these churches by meeting with area leaders and/or individual church leaders for encouragement, information, problem solving, and help planning their clubs. In addition, they visit clubs and conduct Basic or Advanced Training for leaders. Another vital part of their ministry is to introduce the ministry of Awana to local churches, equipping them to impact their community and the world with the gospel of grace.