Preparation for Ministry
An Interview with Russ Smith

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I was exposed to the gospel as a teenager and trusted Christ in the fall of my freshman year at BBC. I met Andrea in my junior year, and we were married after she graduated. We served as youth workers with Bob and Barb Quick at Faith Baptist in Erial, New Jersey, for two years in the mideighties. We came to Grace Baptist in January 1986 and served with Dan and Sara Gilbert. In 1992, we moved to Haddon Heights, New Jersey, and served for three and a half years with Terry and Mary Smith. In October of ’95 we moved back to Binghamton, New York, and have served at Grace since that time. Andrea and I have three children: Zachary (20), Ethan (18), and Gabe (12). My special interests include the Gospel of Mark, rollerblading, Starbucks, Bocelli, and hanging out with Andrea. As well, I enjoy teaching a pastoral theology course at Davis College.

Tell us about your ministry.
Grace Church is a multi-generational, increasingly multi-cultural ministry located on the East Side of Binghamton. The average Sunday morning attendance is 150. There are approximately 7,000 people on the East Side and 52,000 in the city of Binghamton. The church is located in the heart of the East Side community. It recently purchased a 6,000 sq. ft. retail facility and is currently in the process of renovating it for use as an outreach center to children, youth, families and senior adults. I preach most Sundays and teach the Homebuilder’s Sunday school class. I am blessed to have several men in the church who are great communicators of God’s Word and have a heart for ministry.

How did God lead you to BBS?
I felt ill-prepared to handle the demands of ministry when I came to Grace as senior pastor in October 1995. My associate at the time, Bill Mattox, started attending BBS after graduating from BBC. He would come back from class and share the things he learned. I could tell it helped him personally as well as vocationally. I wanted that. In addition, I received numerous direct mailings from the school advertising courses and programs. I found myself reading these more and more. I could see that I was struggling in ministry. My wife could see my struggle. We discussed and prayed about the possibility of my going back to school. I took the free course “Revitalizing the Plateaued Church” in ’98 as a way of evaluating the school. The class ignited a desire within me for more. The only hurdle left to overcome was finances. I chose to take this one course at a time. Looking back, God provided primarily through a small education allowance, honoraria for funerals and weddings, and a no-interest loan from a family member. It was a community endeavor!

What led you to choose the M.Min. Degree?
It seemed like an attainable goal. I knew it would take me awhile to get through any program so I decided that the M.Min. was the logical place to begin. In addition, I felt that many of the required courses in the program would help me immediately. I am quick however, to encourage younger men to choose the M.Div. degree. I feel that it will better equip them for the challenges and opportunities of ministry today.

How have your classes proved helpful in your ministry?
In terms of course content, every course has helped me to sharpen my ministry skills in some way. I am better equipped to lead people. I am more sensitive to the needs of lost people. My teaching and preaching have improved. I approach ministry differently. I have been exposed to a number of good resources that continue to build me up and challenge me. Beyond improving ministry skills, my classes have helped me improve my life skills. I would like to think that I am a better husband and father because of what I learned. In terms of course leaders, every professor has helped me in some way. For example, you cannot sit through Dr. Engle’s OT500 class and not come away with a greater love and appreciation for the Old Testament. You cannot sit in Lee Wise’s Personal Evangelism class and not be burdened for lost people. I looked at each professor as a coach—someone there to train me for a particular aspect of the race. These men have practically modeled II Timothy 2:2.

return to the Summer 2007 Paraklesis