CORE TEAM

Hello everybody!! My name is Chris Smith and as it says above I am the Director of Youth Ministry here at St Mary of Nazareth! I was born and raised in Altoona, IA where I went to Southeast Polk High School. To further my education I went to Iowa State University where I majored in Markering!

I have been involved with youth ministry as long as I can remember. I started out going regulary to youth group when I was a freshman in high school and boy did I love it. For me at that time it was a safe space for me, and a space where I could gather people that share the same faith that I did. Especially in High School, youth group was a saving grace.

I loved youth ministry so much that I became an intern to a youth minister in Ames while studying at ISU. Also while I was at Iowa State I was a staff memeber for Catholic Heart Workcamp. I also became a small group leader, retreat leader, an, MC for an event that happened every month for over 200 people, and much more. 

After graduating, I was the High School Youth Minister at Saints John and Paul in Altoona for 2 years. Then God called me here to St Mary of Naz! I am so happy and proud to be a part of this parish and am so excited to see what God has in store for me here! 

I hope you join us for some if not all of your High School Youth Group nights! My goal and mission is for each of you to have the same thing that I had when I was in High School; a safe space to call your 2nd home, a space to gather with friends of the same faith, and a space where you can grow in God's love.