Trip Smith, Assistant Pastor

Trip was born in Cary, NC, and lived there until he went to college at UNC-Chapel Hill. After graduating in 2010, he served with Cru in Beirut, Lebanon, and then worked as a digital media strategist for Trans World Radio back in North Carolina. In 2014, Trip came on board as the youth ministry director at Peace Church, the same church he grew up in. Experiencing youth group as both the “cool” high school guy who harassed the youth leaders and then later the youth leader who got harassed by the “cool” high school guys was formative to Trip’s understanding of church.

Also in 2014, Trip married his wise, funny, and resplendent wife, Brently, which was one of the best things to ever happen to him. Everyone agrees he really outkicked his coverage! Trip and Brently moved to Charlotte for seminary in 2018, and in 2020 they celebrated the birth of their first son, Charlie, which was one of the best and most tiring things to ever happen to them. In 2021, Trip completed his M.Div studies at Reformed Theological Seminary, and shortly thereafter came on staff at Hope.

The major spiritual influences in Trip’s life are his parents, Jerry McFarland, Miles O’Niell, Tim Keller, Cole McLaughlin, his wife Brently, Richie Sessions, C.S. Lewis, Disney and Pixar. Trip loves going on long walks with his dog, Scout; working out, but in a leisurely fashion; reading sci-fi and fantasy books; watching movies; and eating Mexican food.