Click here for Dr. Smith's personal web site.

The Reverend Dr. Brent A. Smith

Dr. Brent A. Smith served as the first minister of All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, from 2001 until 2010.  

Brent A. Smith was born and raised in Richmond, Indiana, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hanover College in 1976. While in college Dr. Smith majored in Literature, with a concentration on the works of James Joyce, and received All American honors as a linebacker with the Hanover College football team.

   After several years working in the business world, Dr. Smith acted upon a call to the ministry by entering the Divinity School of the University of Chicago in 1980, graduating with a Masters of Arts in 1983, and Meadville/Lombard Theological School, graduating with a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1984. While in seminary Dr. Smith studied the works of Paul Tillich, Soren Kierkegaard, Mircea Eliade, and wrote his doctoral dissertation on pragmatism and the religious philosophy of William James.

   Dr. Smith was ordained into the Unitarian Universalist ministry and began serving his first congregation in north Milwaukee in 1983, and has served congregations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has published numerous articles, started one national and one regional periodical, has written and produced several adult education curricula especially designed for the unchurched. He currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife, Pat. They have two children; Elizabeth and Josh.

On Friday June 18, 2010, All Souls held the farewell dinner for Brent and Pat Smith, to celebrate their ministry with us. 

Thanks to all who contributed gifts of money and services to make possible our farewell dinner and gifts to Pat and Brent Smith! Fundraising goals for the event were met and were able to provide Pat and Brent with the following gifts
1) We flew their son, Josh, in for the festivities
2) We held a beautiful al fresco dinner at Millennium Park
3) We produced the video "All Souls: The First Years"
4) We gave Pat and Brent a night's stay at the Amway Grand on the 25th floor and dinner in the 1913 room
5) We are giving them a scrapbook created by our church family (final date to turn in
your scrapbook page is this Sunday June 27)

Thank you to all who participated in so many ways to an appropriate and heart-felt leave-taking for Brent and Pat as they anticipate the next chapter of their lives, as well as the next chapter for All Souls.