Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, and now based in the Boston area, Dr. Smith has a Doctor of Ministry in Marriage and Family Counseling and a Masters of Divinity from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. His doctoral thesis was on counseling Jewish intercultural families. Dr. Smith has been a minister for over 15 years.
Dr. Smith and his wife Nici, who was born in the African country of Namibia, both come from intermarried homes and were raised Jewish, yet came to believe in Jesus as young adults. Now married for twelve years, the Smiths raise their three children in both the Jewish and Christian worlds.
Currently, Dr. Smith coordinates CELEBRATE LIFE, a ministry, "bringing meaning and joy to sacred occasions for interfaith families." He is also the teaching elder at a local Messianic Jewish Fellowship and also the Director of Spiritual Formation and outreach at Newton Presbyterian Church. He also has a blog with thoughts for Jewish intercultural couples.
"I love working with interfaith couples," says Dr. Smith, "Because I am Jewish, I understand Jewish culture, and because I am Christian, I understand Christians. Most couples don't even realize when their conflicts are cultural and not personal. I consider myself a cultural translator as I help couples understand each other."