Brother Jed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brother Jed |
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.jpg) Brother Jed in 2014 |
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| Born | January 4, 1943 in Brookings, South Dakota, U.S. |
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| Died | June 6, 2022 (aged 79) in |
| Writings | *Who Will Rise Up?: A Call to Confrontational Evangelism (1984)
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| Spouse |
Cynthia D. Lasseter
(m. 1983) |
| Children | 5 |
George Edward "Jed" Smock Jr. (born January 4, 1943 – died June 6, 2022) was an American evangelist. He was widely known as Brother Jed. He focused his preaching on college campuses across the United States and in other countries.
Brother Jed was a traveling preacher. He would usually spend only a few days at each university. He visited northern campuses in the fall and spring. In the winter, he would travel to southern campuses. In 2004, he moved to Columbia, Missouri. There, he often preached at the University of Missouri. He also visited other colleges in the Midwest. In 2013, he moved his ministry and home to his hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana.
About His Life
Jed Smock started attending Indiana University in 1960. He later left the university. He then traveled to California, selling encyclopedias door-to-door.
Smock later finished his college degree at Indiana State University. He studied Social Studies and English. He wrote in his autobiography that he graduated with good grades. After college, he went on to graduate school at Indiana State University. He earned a master's degree in history. He also worked as a research assistant.
He became a history professor for one year at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. Smock became a Christian after hearing a preacher in Morocco.
In 1984, Smock started an organization called Campus Ministry USA. This group helps with religious activities on campuses. In 2004, the group moved its main office from Newark, Ohio to Columbia, Missouri. Brother Jed often preached at the University of Missouri's Speakers Circle.
Brother Jed moved from Columbia back to Indiana in 2013. A TV show pilot was filmed about his family while they were preaching in Indiana. He also often visited Eastern Illinois University.
Family Life
Jed Smock married Cynthia D. Lasseter Smock. She is also known as "Sister Cindy" when she preaches. They had five daughters. All their daughters traveled with them and joined them on college campuses.
Preaching Style
Smock wrote a book about his spiritual journey called Who Will Rise Up?. In this book, he shared about his younger years and how he became a Christian. He also explained why he chose a direct way of preaching.
Brother Jed and his wife, Cindy, had a unique preaching style. It is sometimes called "confrontational evangelism." This means they would directly challenge people. They hoped this would encourage people to change their ways. This style is also used by some other street and campus preachers. Smock was a member of the United Methodist Church.
In Stories and Shows
A short film from 2012, called Battle of the Sects, was based on Brother Jed's character. In the film, a very direct preacher visits a university. He is then asked to leave by other Christian groups on campus.
See also
- List of campus preachers
