I have known Craig since 1992. So in 2010, when I learned he was doing executive coaching, I jumped at the opportunity to work with him for help in building and improving my Christian life coaching practice. He has exceeded my expectations. He asks powerful questions that focus me on the heart of the issues I need to resolve. His years of expertise in business, counseling, pastoring, executive management, and coaching have meant I have yet to bring him a personal or professional issue he has not been able to guide me to clarify and solve.
Craig is devoted to God and coaching is a ministry God has richly equipped him to do. He approaches his work with a caring, servant’s heart. He deeply cares about my life and success. The past two years have been one of the greatest growth periods of my life and Craig has had a significant influence on my professional and personal development. I’m still working with him and I highly recommend Craig to anyone seeking growth in life, ministry, and/or career.”
Rev. Mark Gardner
Pastor, West Alexandria (Ohio) Church of the Brethren
Founder, Gardner Coaching
Craig Smith is the complete package. I attended Craig’s Coaching4Clergy seminar and was absolutely amazed at his gifts of discernment, teaching and empathy as he assisted me in identifying areas of needed growth in my walk with Christ and in accomplishing my ministerial goals. In a winsome, non-threatening manner he led me to discover what strategies I might consider in making and implementing major decisions, while simultaneously evaluating my progress. His illustration of overcoming fear by entering the “forest” and then cheering me on as I move slowly yet steadily forward from one “tree” to another still lingers. I highly recommend him and his services to you and your organization!”
Richard J. Fischl
Senior Pastor
Codorus Church of the Brethren
York, PA
I participated in Craig Smith’s Coaching Basics workshop a little over a year ago. My intent was to add coaching to my creative arts ministry, AMOKArts.com. I had been working hard at this ministry for over a decade and was having a hard time gaining traction. I thought perhaps adding a coaching component would help get things rolling. What I discovered (beyond learning a lot about coaching) was I needed a coach. Craig was kind enough to take me under his wing as a client. The transformation has been remarkable. I’m a creative who sometimes seems to be a bit ADD. I had thousands of ideas, pulling me in all sorts of different directions. Working with Craig has really helped me focus, find my strengths and the real strengths of my ministry and put them to work. Craig asked all the right questions, helped me to discern the good ideas from the great, God-inspired ones, gave fantastic assignments and helped me save a lot of time. This past year has been remarkable. I’ve secured more bookings for presentations this year by far than at any time in my past. I’m more effective, organized, relaxed, focused and I feel like I’m finally going in the right direction. I feel like I’m finally doing the Kingdom work I was called to do. Craig has been a God-send for AMOKArts.com and for me.”
I have worked with Craig Smith and consider him to be a professional and a friend. He is a man of strong faith and high integrity. He is very intelligent, articulate, compassionate, sensitive, patient, and extremely trustworthy. He is easy to get along with and has a great sense of humor. He is the kind of person others want to be around. He is a fantastic speaker and presenter. As an HR professional, I would highly recommend him as an executive coach and/or mentor.”
Eunice Culp, SPHR
Vice President of Human Resources
Everence Financial
I have had the pleasure of serving with Craig Smith on a national financial leadership board. Craig has excellent listening skills combined with a high level of empathy. He has used these skills to bring out the best in leadership qualities.”
Jack H. Grim
Senior Vice President/Investments
Janney Montgomery Scott
York PA
I have known Craig Smith for over fifteen years. He is one of the most gifted and articulate speakers, teachers and leaders I have ever had to privilege to work with. His expertise in personal Christian training, leadership and executive coaching would be of great benefit for anyone wanting to grow in these critical areas. I would highly recommend him to those seeking to grow in Christ.”
Rev. Tom Corbell
President
Lay Pastors Ministry, Inc.
Craig has a sincere passion and God-given desire to help individuals and organizations achieve their full potential for leadership. No matter where you are in your journey through life, Craig’s wholistic approach to personal, professional, and spiritual growth and development can help you live God’s plan for your life to its full potential.”
Chris Alexander
Vice President
First National Bank
Church Elder – Evangelical Free Church
Findlay, OH
Craig Smith and The Exit 7 Group is a must for those who are serious about expanding their leadership abilities.
The Exit 7 Group is committed to Coaching, Training, and Mentoring. Speaking from personal experience, this is without question the kind of resource pastors and other leaders should take advantage of if they are going to be strong leaders. For all you receive, the cost is extremely reasonable.”
Rev. Stafford Frederick
Senior Pastor
Summerdean Church of the Brethren
Roanoke, VA
I have the deepest respect for Craig Smith … as an administrator, preacher/speaker, coach, mentor, retreat leader, strategist, humorist, family man, and Christian brother.
Over the past fifteen years or so, I’ve known and worked with Craig in various settings, and have so much appreciated his clear thinking, his unapologetic defense for what is wholesome and right, his practical approach to things, and his here’s-what-to-do-next steps in problem-solving.
I commend Craig Smith, as well as the services he’ll provide, to you with utmost confidence.”
Paul W. Brubaker
Retired Bank Executive
Ephrata National Bank
Ephrata, PA
I have the privilege of serving with Craig on a national leadership board. We also serve together on the governance committee. Craig has many gifts. One gift that I especially appreciate is his gift of words. Craig has a way of taking a complicated thought and simplifying it. It is always clear, concise AND gets the correct message across.
Craig also has the gift of humor. I feel he has the ability to take a tough situation and remove some of the tension in order to better create open conversation.
I enjoy working with Craig and commend him to you and your organization!”
Carol D. Hess
Vice President, Human Resources
Lutheran Social Services South Central Pennsylvania
York, PA
The Rev. Craig Smith is a skilled peer coach whose professional gifts have been a blessing to me. I have also experienced him as trainer and in group coaching in my diocese. Whether individual coaching or group training, I have found him to be a skilled listener and wise teacher with a candid caring heart for the leaders. Beyond his extensive academic and clinical training, he has lived the experiences of pastoring and executive leadership. Craig understands the challenges of leading small intimate communities and large organizations, and also the realities of being a leader in such contexts.”
The Right Reverend Nathan D. Baxter
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
I’ve known Craig Smith as a leader with a vision and understanding of the Christian church that is winsome and forward-thinking. His work with churches and pastors over the years utilizes his gifts in problem-solving and solutions-finding for the vitality and health of today’s parishes. I am confident he will bring insight to the needs of any leader or organization who chooses to engage him.”
Ronald E. Keener
Editor
Church Executive Magazine
Phoenix, AZ
Craig Smith has been my coach for over two years. When I first began the process, I was not sure what to expect. I had known Craig from our serving on a national ministry board together, but I had no idea how valuable his coaching would be to my life and ministry. I only knew that I needed some help working through a difficult situation in my church.
Well, the difficult situation became compounded by a series of health issues. Through Craig’s coaching I have been able to not only maintain some sense of sanity in the midst of all the chaos, but to also grow in my understanding of how I do ministry.
If you are one of those people who do not believe coaching is for you, I urge you to reconsider and see how Craig’s working alongside you can help you reframe and become a more effective leader, pastor, and person.”
Michael Walker
Senior Pastor
Bethany UMC
Charleston, SC
