Country singer Granger Smith plans to leave the music industry to focus on ministry after his final tour this summer.
The 43-year-old singer shared the news in a video he posted on Instagram to his 1.2 million followers. The “Backroad Song” performer said he had felt a strong desire to pursue ministry as he revealed that he’s been attending seminary to pursue a master’s degree while still trying to keep up with his music career.
“This message is so difficult to post,” Smith wrote. “The words for this caption are so hard to find. Not because I don’t believe in the truth of them, but because this marks the end of the longest era in my life! Touring … 24 years of it.”
He is eager to see what God has in store for him.
“I am so encouraged and hopeful and excited and joyful about the next chapter, but to a large extent, I have no idea what it will look like,” he said. “I just want to glorify God the best way that I can. I want to learn and grow and serve my local church and allow my pastors to equip and affirm those next steps. Lord willing, I want to be used to help people find their purpose.”
Smith said it doesn’t mean he will “start a church or a crusade or a revival.” But he explained that he’s found it difficult lately to reconcile getting up on stage and needing glorification and praise. He called it a contradiction for him to go to seminary and pursue ministry and then on the weekends go out and “try to be exalting myself.”
In December, Smith said that after the death of his 3-year-old son River in 2019, he surrendered to God, crediting his faith with saving his life when he hit rock bottom. In 2021, he and his wife, Amber, welcomed another son, Maverick. The couple also has two other children, London and Lincoln.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice