About Poppy Smith:

I’m originally from England and was raised in a loving but non-believing family.

My parents loved to travel and because my father was in the Royal Air Force, we lived in many parts of Britain and in Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Kenya. When I was 17, friends shared the Gospel with me, and I immediately responded to the love of God.

As a new Christian an Nairobi, Kenya, I attended a very small, very English church where I eventually met and married my American husband, a Peace Corps doctor. Six weeks later, we arrived in the United States. I was only 22 and thought my new life would be a wonderful adventure. Instead, I experienced the loneliness of being in a foreign culture and married to someone who vanished into the hospital for his surgical training, only coming home to study and sleep. This catapulted me into anger, bitterness, and depression. Having two delightful little children was a joy, but having no family around me only added to my sense of hopelessness.

I struggled with the temptation to leave and go back to England or Nairobi, but eventually, God intervened. Through the encouragement of someone I confided in, I realized running away was not the solution.

Gradually, God transformed my anger and bitterness into acceptance, helping me to understand that He was at work even when His ways were beyond my comprehension.

(For an honest, humorous, and helpful account of how to grow in your marriage, read my book “Why Can’t He Be More Like Me?”)

As I grew spiritually and emotionally, God gave me a deep desire to know more about what it means to follow Him. Joining Bible Study Fellowship provided the foundation and the discipline I lacked. It became God’s growing place for twelve years— seven of which I found myself teaching over 350 women each week.

After our two children left for college, invitations came to teach and encourage women at retreats and conferences across the United States and in over 20 countries. During these travels, I discovered that women everywhere, whether in India, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Lebanon, Oman, Australia, New Zealand, or many other nations, share a common hunger for spiritual and emotional growth because we all face similar struggles in our lives.

Between traveling, I attended seminary, earning a Master’s degree in Spiritual Formation and Direction. Because I wanted more tools for encouraging women I became a Certified Life Coach with the American Association of Christian Counselors as well as a Certified Domestic Abuse Advocate.

Throughout each stage of life, I have experienced personal, emotional, and spiritual growth. Both challenging and joyful experiences have contributed to shaping who I am and what I offer as a Christian coach.

My approach is warm, accepting, understanding, and honest. I recognize that various issues such as anger, fear, bitterness, despair, and temptation can trip you up. BUT: this isn’t where God wants you or me to stay.  I’ve personally experienced all these challenges and have written about them in both my books and blogs.

My passion and role as a coach is to help you gain the practical wisdom, help, and hope God provides so you can flourish as a follower of Jesus.