Granger Smith Ready to ‘Proclaim’ Christ After Final Concert
By Movieguide® Contributor
Country artist Granger Smith performed at his last show on Saturday and shared the “real reason” he’s leaving his music career.
“I took this pic on Saturday—a keepsake from my last show as a touring musician. It’s been such a privilege to claim that job title for so many years!” Smith captioned his post.
The musician announced that he would be leaving the stage to pursue full-time ministry this past spring.
“Let’s be clear,” he continued in the post. “This is not retirement. That would mean I’m quitting work altogether. It’s also not because I’m burned out or unwell or sick or heartbroken or grieving. I am more at peace and more free than any other time of my life. It’s not for any of those reasons.”
“Let me tell you the real reason,” Smith wrote. “It’s the parable that Jesus used in Matthew 13:44.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field,” he shared.
He then explained how that verse changed his life.
“Knowing Jesus and telling others about Him is the treasure of my life,” Smith continued. “And I want you to know this, so you can have Him as your treasure too. I want my family to experience it and my kids to know this joy. I don’t want a career based upon building a name for myself to get in the way of that, no matter what kind of popularity or career I’ve gained.”
“I don’t want the Granger Smith name to be famous, instead I want to proclaim the name of Christ! The one that has washed me clean, the one that has freed me from my shame and my guilt. The one that gave me a new heart. I want Him to be known! And I want to know Him more,” he shared.
“That is the real reason I’m leaving music touring.”
Smith has relied on his faith more in the past four years since the death of his son.
As Movieguide® previously reported, the singer turned to drugs, alcohol and suicidal thoughts to cope with the pain.
“After his encounter with Jesus, Smith decided to pursue ministry. He currently attends Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is on track to earn a master’s degree,” Movieguide® wrote.
Granger Smith reflected on the transition from music to ministry with Fox News.
“I was seeking praise from people,” the singer shared. “And by doing that, it doesn’t matter if I was proclaiming Christ, because I was doing it the wrong way. I was proclaiming Christ from a self-exalting platform. And that was the contradiction I finally had to come to terms with. I might have a stage down the road, but right now I need to completely surrender that and give it over to God.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Smith’s decision to leave his music career:
Country star Granger Smith recently spoke more about his decision to leave country music and pursue ministry in his local church.
“It sounds like a not-very-exciting news story — the story of a guy who had what I always dreamed of having, and turning it back over,” the singer laughed. “I’m turning it back in for a life at the local church. But I believe that that is what I am called to do.”
Smith also talked about the role faith had in his life following the tragic death of his son, River, who passed away in 2019 in a tragic accidental drowning.
“I cannot take credit myself for the radical transformation that the Lord did in my life through this tragedy,” he shared. “Sometimes, when that soil is cultivated, and we have to dig deep, and we can’t find it within ourselves, the Lord comes in and shows Himself in a very profound way.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
