Country artist Granger Smith says he's ending his music career to pursue ministry

Country music artist Granger Smith announced that he is ending his music career in order to pursue ministry.

Smith explained that he has "felt a strong desire to pursue ministry" and that he and his family will serve their local church. He indicated that his pastors and elders will disciple him, noting "Lord willing, one day they can affirm me into the next steps of what that might look like to glorify God best from my platform."

The singer-songwriter noted that he has been attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and that he has a book slated for release August 1 titled "Like a River."

"On June 4th, 2019, country music singer Granger Smith was enjoying a final evening with his kids before heading to Nashville for the CMT Music Awards and his next tour. While helping his daughter London with her gymnastics, his youngest son fell into their pool. Granger did everything he could to get to him, but he was too late. River drowned, and Granger's world shattered," a book description states. "Alone on his tour bus, on the darkest night of his life, Granger had a spiritual encounter with Jesus that lifted him out of the muck and onto a new path." The book is described as "a triumphant story of new life birthed out of tragedy, will teach readers how to face their failures, confront their pain, and connect with God - the true source of life."

Smith pointed to Mark 8 to explain his motivation for the major decision to leave country music in pursuit of ministry. In Mark 8:34, Jesus said, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Smith explained, "That form of self-denial is something I'm just not doing," noting that when performing he needs "glorification" and "praise," and if he does not receive it, that indicates his career is not going well.

"I can't reconcile those two things y'all," he said, noting that he cannot pursue seminary and ministry while attempting to exalt himself on the weekends.

Smith noted that he has toured for 24 years, but he's doing it just once more.

"This summer will be my last tour," Smith wrote. "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."

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