Alexis Smelker is one of Alex Strauch’s four daughters and the wife of BER Director Greg Smelker. While handling the administrative responsibilities that enable BER to serve people all over the world, she also holds down the fort at home, which is filled with five kids (and usually a few of their friends).
Get to know this woman of the Word who loves Scripture, church life, and being with her family.
How did you come to faith in Christ?
I came to Christ around the age of 4. I shared a room with my older sister. Late one night, she did her part of evangelism and told me if I didn’t accept Christ I would be in hell. That was enough for me to bow the knee. The Lord is kind because that night stands out clearly in my mind.
Right after high school though, I made up my mind that walking with the Lord was truly my heart’s desire. My parents were always faithfully committed to the Word, and I started reading through the Bible yearly then. Aside from a couple years when I was having babies, I have stayed committed to that. I love the words of Scripture and I am constantly amazed, like Paul, by “the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33).
Who had the biggest influence on you growing up?
I had the incredible blessing of godly parents who were faithful to the Lord and his church. But I would have to say the biggest influence has been my younger sister, whom I have a particularly special relationship with. We started reading our Bibles together, praying together, and walking side by side through life’s trials together. She would be a major part in helping shape my life. We now raise our kids together and still attend the church we grew up in.
Tell about your family, what you like to do together, and any special traditions or spiritual habits you have.
Greg and I have four children, and this year we gained one more teenager as an extra special gift to our family. We love sports and being outdoors. We live in Colorado, so most of the year we can be playing and active. We love meals together, and we love opening our home to any kid who wants to stop by (I spend a lot of time at the grocery store).
But I would say a priority in our family is our church. Greg and I started our marriage by serving in our local church and the kids all take part in some way to this day.
Share about the school choices you and Greg have made for your kids. What factors have gone into those decisions?
With multiple kids you quickly learn how each child has their own needs. Some of my children struggle with school, some love academics, some have health problems. We have always allowed ourselves to be open to what is best for their needs so right now we have two in public school, one doing schooling at home, and two in a charter school.
One of the ways we have tried to parent is to be very open to God’s leading. We take each year as it comes, and we trust him with the results.
What ministries are you involved with at church?
My ministries tend to change over the years. I love little ones, so I have spent many years in Awana programs and Sunday school. I’ve facilitated Bible studies for several years too. But as my kids age, I have found my true love and passion to be in the home with my kids and their cousins and friends. I don’t want to miss these years.
What role does hospitality play in your life and ministry?
I have a very open door policy. Most days there are over eight kids running through the home (poor Greg works in the basement and has pounding feet in the middle of work calls). I love having people over from the church, but I am not able to do that as much as I’d like. Maybe when I have a few less distractions.
What is your role in BER?
In the last year, I started helping with administration at BER. This has also become a real joy in my life. I love to email with and see how the Lord is working all over the world.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Dinner with Greg is my favorite. I love spending time with my sisters if we have a quiet afternoon. I also love watching my kids play sports. Most Saturdays you will find me at a field somewhere.
What spiritual discipline has had the biggest impact on your life, and how do you structure your day so you can prioritize time with God while juggling full-time motherhood and your work for BER?
Daily Bible reading and Bible study have had the biggest impact. Our church has a very healthy women’s ministry, and I have been a part of that since I was in college. What a blessing to my life to study the Scriptures with women at all ages and walks of life.
Finding time for the Bible is a non-negotiable. I try to never make excuses for missing time with the Lord. I love coffee and Bible time early in the morning, but that was not always possible when the kids were little, and now it’s hard again with kids running out the door early. If it doesn’t get done in the morning, I am quite fine putting my kids in front of a show in the afternoon so I can get to my time with the Lord. It isn’t always easy, but no discipline is. But it is always rewarding.
Which book of the Bible is your favorite, and why?
Most of Paul’s letters are my favorite, and they are very challenging. I am often frustrated how I forget so easily and how little I still understand of the Lord’s mighty work on the cross.
Do you have any favorite Bible study resources to recommend?
I have always loved reading my study Bible. If I don’t have time to study what a passage means, I can usually reference quickly from the study notes. Outside of that, I listen to a lot of podcasts when I am out and about. This helps me to constantly fill my mind with the things from above.