Meet George (Mkhululi) Smith - St Johns' new Youth Pastor

Molweni, my name is Mkhululi Smith, which in isiXhosa means ‘one who brings freedom.’ At the age of two, my  German stepdad gave me the name Georgie, and today most people know me as George. I’m married to my amazing  wife, Tertia Smith, a passionate high school teacher who inspires young minds every day through education and  leadership development. We’re also proud parents to our adopted dog, Kolbe yes, named after Cheslin Kolbe, the  Springbok rugby player!

I was born and raised in the deep south of Fish Hoek, Cape Town, where I spent my days  playing cricket, soccer, and rugby on the beach, as well as hiking the beautiful mountains and trails of the valley.  Those moments really shaped my love for people, community, and the outdoors. I love camping, cooking, hosting  people, long nights around a campfire singing songs and telling stories, and most of all spending time in the Word in  the early hours of the morning before the sun is up. I am passionate about youth, community development, and  adventures such as kayaking, Rock Climbing and outdoor life. 

I’m incredibly excited to be joining my new church family at St John’s in Wynberg. My heart is to see young people  encounter Jesus in a real way becoming bold in their faith, reaching their friends, and shining brightly in their schools,  homes, and communities. Every time I see the tall trees on the church grounds, I’m reminded of something powerful:  growth starts below the surface. My prayer is that our youth group would be known as a youth deeply rooted in  Christ firm and strong even in a world full of distractions and pressure, that their lives would bear lasting fruit  (Colossians 2:6–7). 

A few fun things about me: 

• Nickname: Blacksmith, Uncle George 

• Birthday: 24 January 

• From: Fish Hoek, Cape Town 

• Bucket List: Writing a book, going shark cage diving, and traveling/camping across Africa 

Some of my favourite movies include The Lion King, Hacksaw Ridge, and pretty much anything from the Marvel  Cinematic Universe. 

I’m passionate about people, whether young or old. I love hosting, especially around a good braai, meal or activity  and helping others discover their gifts and how they can use them to serve and grow. 

One achievement that surprised me was stepping into stand-up comedy at 14 years old sharing stages with both local  and international comedians I used to watch on TV and still able to write clean family friendly jokes and still get  booked. 

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is: 

“George, you are not responsible for people, but you are responsible to them.” – Shaun Collard

You can contact George by email at: george@stjohns.org.za