Matt Smethurst was raised by parents who showed him what it looks like to follow Jesus; through their faithful influence, God saved Matt at a young age. In college at James Madison University (2002–2006), he captured Matt’s heart in a deeper way and gave him a heart for ministry. This passion was further crystallized while serving as a missionary in East Asia (2006–2008).

After returning to the States, Matt completed a pastoral internship at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.. He and his wife, Maghan, then moved to Louisville to attend Southern Seminary, where Matt completed a Master of Divinity degree. They also belonged to Third Avenue Baptist Church for 12 years, where Matt held two deacon positions and served as an elder for six years.

Matt is the author of Before You Share Your Faith: Five Ways to Be Evangelism Ready (2022), Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church (2021), Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures for Approaching God’s Word (2019), and 1–2 Thessalonians: A 12-Week Study (2017). You can find more of his work at The Gospel Coalition, where he’s served as an editor for 12 years.

Matt’s greatest earthly asset, though, is not any theological degree or ministry accomplishment; it is his wife, Maghan. The two Virginians (Matt is from Charlottesville; Maghan is from near Manassas) met at JMU and started dating while serving as missionaries. They have been married for 15 years and have five young children. Life in “the little years” is remarkably full, but the Smethursts are richly blessed. Matt is honored to serve River City Baptist Church as its lead pastor. (You can watch or listen to sermons here.)