The Very Rev. Christopher Smith, rector and episcopal vicar to Christ Cathedral, was recently honored by Concern America for his 30 years of service to the organization.
John Straw, executive director of the Santa Ana-based group, which completes community development projects in impoverished regions around the world, called Fr. Smith “an incredible gift.” He credited Fr. Smith with serving on Concern America’s board, developing social justice gatherings, emceeing events, blessing religious-themed crafts and joining in their annual Walk Out of Poverty.
According to Concern America’s website: “Concern America is a globally focused community development organization. We work with communities in economically impoverished regions so that community members themselves become empowered to improve their own lives — focusing on health, sanitation, education, and income-generation projects. For more than 45 years, we have worked in 15 countries on 4 continents and have measurably impacted the lives of more than 2 million people. We currently operate community-centered programs in materially impoverished areas of Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico.”
F. Smith has also spoken for the group on dozens of weekends, raising nearly $500,000 through his efforts, and inspiring countless others to give their support, Straw said.
For more information: concernamerica.org