Introducing Our New Pastor
Amos Smith
Dec. 6, 2009, Frog Ponders enthusiastically endorsed the Search Committee’s recommendation that Amos Smith be called as our new pastor! Amos and his family will join us March 1, 2010. Amos’ first Sunday at Frog Pond is March 7.
We are excited about his love of worship, pastoral skills, project leadership skills, love of music, his energy level, and his sense of humor. We’re also excited by his commitment to get to know us all personally and to engage us in the life and ministries of our church
Dr. Smith was ordained by the United Church of Christ on April 11, 1999, in the UCC’s Montana Northern Wyoming Conference. Prior to his ordination, Amos owned and managed a painting contracting business. Since 1999, Amos has served as pastor in Montana; at a church in Western Washington; and at a church in Eastern Washington. The Frog Pond Search Committee was impressed by Amos’ life & business experience, planning skills, personality and personal faith journey.
During his tenure in other churches, Amos has overseen membership growth in his congregations, several capital campaigns, the creation of youth programs, and growth in operating income.
The son of a Foreign Service diplomat (Dad) and an artist (Mom), Amos lived his first ten years overseas and finished his growing up years in Virginia. He has lived in Indonesia, Bolivia, Uganda, Yemen, and India and throughout his life has traveled the world. Amos graduated from high school in Arlington, Virginia. He obtained his BA (with honors) in Religious Studies at University of California at Santa Cruz. His Master of Divinity came from Pacific School of Religion (PSR) in Berkeley, California. In 2008, Amos earned his Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS). Both PSR and CTS are UCC seminaries.
Amos is married to Cristianne and has two children, daughter Mattea (8) and infant son Luke (9 months). Cris was raised in Olympia, Washington. She has a Masters degree in education from the University of Arizona and is currently employed as a part-time high school Spanish teacher. In his leisure time, Amos is an avid walker, runner, and hiker. He loves music, playing hand drums and guitar for pleasure and during worship.