Biography

I live in Thomasville, NC with my wife Laura, son Drake, and daughter Anna Gray.

Smith Family

I am currently employed with High Point Christian Academy where I teach World History, American Government and Economics, and Leadership. I’ve been preaching and teaching for nearly a decade and a half.


Top 10 Beliefs

Joel D. Smith
The list below doesn’t include all of my beliefs, but instead lists those I prioritize as the top 10 essential.
  1. I believe in one God, who has no beginning or end, the Father who created all things.
  2. I believe that God has always existed as a community of three (a “tri” “unity” or trinity): Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  3. I believe that God created humanity to worship Him by enjoying Him forever.
  4. I believe that all people have rejected God through sin (disobedience, rebellion, failure to do what’s really right) and, left to their own devices, would be forever separated from Him.
  5. I believe that Jesus Christ, the Son, is God’s only solution to the mess we’re in. He lived a fully human life, but remained absolutely free of sin and totally connected to the Father. He was crucified as a criminal, even though He was completely innocent of any wrongdoing. By His death, Jesus opened the door to our forgiveness by and restoration to God. Jesus rose from the dead after three days, appearing to friends and followers, providing proof that God really had made a way for humanity to reconnect with Him. I further believe that when one places their complete confidence, full trust, faith in Christ’s death and resurrection, God completely forgives them, fully accepts them, and will faithfully restore them to life after death.
  6. I believe in the empowering Holy Spirit. He draws us to God, shows us our need for God, and fills followers of Jesus with the presence of God.
  7. I believe in one God-indorsed, universal Church which is made up of all people – past, present, and future – who genuinely trust Jesus as their Forgiver and follow Him as their Leader. The Church is comprised of many local gatherings of believers who uniquely express the kingdom of God to the world.
  8. I believe that simple faith in Jesus Christ is the beginning of our journey with God. As we get to know Him more, He transforms us so that our character is just like Jesus’. God’s restorative work will be complete the day Christ returns to raise the dead and judge all people.
  9. I believe that Christians must cooperate with God to grow in Christ-likeness. Specifically, we must walk with God daily and become immersed in Christian relationships to be perfected in love, find and fulfill our calling, and grow in personal purity.
  10. I believe that the Bible is God’s inspired Word to humanity. Holy Scripture is true in all that it affirms.

Relevant Employment History

Here’s what my resume says:

Associate/Teaching Pastor
February, 2005 – October, 2005		Wellspring Community Church
High Point, NC
Church Planter and Senior Pastor
June, 2000 – February, 2005		Wellspring Community Church
High Point, NC
Senior Pastor
June, 1999 – June, 2000		Greer’s Chapel United Methodist Church
Linwood, NC
Senior Pastor
June, 1995 – June, 1999		Johnsontown United Methodist Church
Thomasville, NC
Activities Director and Campground Chaplain
Summers of 1992, 1993, and 1994		Summershine Ministries
North Myrtle Beach, SC


Education History

My educational background is strong (or sad, depending upon your perspective).

Master of Divinity
2003		Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Charlotte, NC
BA, History
1989		University of North Carolina
Greensboro, NC
Social Studies Certification
1989		University of North Carolina
Greensboro, NC
BA, Biology
1992		University of North Carolina
Greensboro, NC