I'm writing this column on May 1. May Day. An ancient (and notorious) day of questionable festivities celebrating even-more-questionable Spring "rites."

But for the purposes of this column, it's also the day I started working for Christianity Today 28 years ago!

That's right. May 1, 1984 to be exact. And my "yes" to then storied President and CEO Harold Myra has since been a never-ending adventure of evolving content creation and expanding ministry. By God's grace alone!

Today, the dizzying media environment we find ourselves in brings over 2.5 million men and women to our content each month in print, on our websites, on smart phones, and to a variety of tablets. In formats I couldn't have imagined when I signed on as CT Special Projects Editor all those years ago, CT content continues to extend its thoughtful, biblical reach to increasing numbers of pastors, church leaders and culture makers through a variety of creative means. This year alone, be looking for the soon-to-be-launched, all-new CT magazine website and a proliferation of "natural length" eBooks from both CT and Leadership Journal. (Just in time for your summer reading!)

Moreover, and in follow-up to an exciting all–staff retreat we held in mid-April where BIG ideas were discussed and prayed over that could further CT's growth in the days ahead, expanding our content reach internationally is another of our missional passions gaining more and more momentum. From repurposing content across cultures, to building on the momentum started by our two foreign CT editions (CT Korea and CT Brazil) to expanding CT's own coverage of all that God is doing for his church globally, CT's global reach is a conviction we all feel deeply here and a ministry wish we hope will bring global Kingdom voices together for the engaging, encouraging, and equipping of all.

(Speaking of which, I've just now been given the results of a staff survey on those big ideas I referenced earlier. The proposals for an international edition of Christianity Today and a sizable expansion of our current global publishing efforts (in the form of CT-crafted books, Bibles, and other primarily leadership resources) were clearly at the top of everyone's list. I would, therefore, all the more covet your prayers and support as we consider what this possible global vision means for our ministry in the days ahead.)

So entering my 29th year of ministry here, I'm pumped (even if the current economic climate has added a few more grey hairs to me head!). And I hope that as you connect with us—in whatever your medium of choice—that you can sense our energy and our collective excitement about all God is doing through us as we seek to faithfully fulfill our mission of "creating Christian content that changes the people who change the world."

People like you.

Harold Smith
President and CEO

P.S. A quick May 1 postscript. This date also marks another significant CT service anniversary—that of David Neff, editorial vice president and editor-in-chief of Christianity Today. David started exactly one year after I did, and has since faithfully and effectively helped guide our "flagship" these 27 years and counting.

I was recently asked to recount several highlights from my own, almost three decades here. Not surprisingly, people like David came to mind. And, indeed, our entire staff came to mind—and all those past servants who poured their creative gifts so selflessly into every aspect of our content creation. By God's grace, they defined and continue to define this ministry.

All to say, I've been blessed. It's been a good run. And Lord, the many, many, many challenges and sleepless nights notwithstanding, I really wouldn't mind another 28 years! (But let me check with my wife first.)