Granger Smith said he’s quitting country music to pursue ministry.  The 43-year-old singer announced on social media that he is stepping away from country music to focus on ministry with his family, sharing in a video: “I have felt a strong desire to pursue ministry, and this doesn’t mean I’m going to start a church or a crusade or a revival, this means that me and my family are going to serve our local church. We’re going to pour into that church as members, and have my pastors and elders pour into me and disciple me and teach me as I sit under their wise teaching. And then Lord willing, one day, they will affirm me into the next steps of what that might look like to glorify God best from my platform.”  Smith also said he’s been attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary that “takes a ton of time to pursue my [masters degree].”

Said Smith: “This message is so difficult to post. 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. This summer will be my last tour. 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. 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 will also release his book, Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache, in August.  The project was inspired by the loss of his youngest son River who died of an accidental drowning in the family pool in 2019 at age 3.  Smith and his alter ego Earl Dibbs Jr. will wrap up their country music careers with his Like a River tour, named after his late son. The tour begins Thursday in Oshkosh, Wisc. before wrapping up in July.

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