Bio for Don Smith- Senior Pastor
My wife (Denise A. Kendall, daughter of Ken and Norma Kendall ) and I were both born and reared in the state of Michigan. Her father was a hard working farmer and my dad was a milkman. Denise has a twin brother Dennis (the real menace) and one older sister Joy. I am the youngest of 5 children with 2 older brothers and 2 sisters. (Wallace, Mary-Lou, Eugene, and Janice; Children of Donald R. and Loleta Belle Frederickson Smith)
While growing up in the same church, Denise & I have many things in common, i.e. special youth group tales ...shaping church functions...and an urgent calling to serve Him. We both entered Olivet Nazarene University in the fall of 1971. Denise graduated with a B.A. Social Welfare & Psychology and I graduated with a B.A. Religion. The experiences of the student missionary trips and Christian college activities will always be precious wells of abiding memories.
I entered Nazarene Theological Seminary (January 1977) and graduated with a M.Div in June 1980. During those demanding years of seminary, Denise worked as a claim representative for Connecticut General Insurance Company, while I worked as a teller at United Missouri Bank South in Kansas City. On June 13, 1978, the Lord blessed us with our first little girl, Shawna Kaye. (Shawna & husband Tyler will gave us our first Grand-child; 14 April '04; Kayelee Nicole Field...FYI...my grandfather buttons are popping right now!)
Our first assignment in full time pastoral ministry came in July 1980, Spring Hill Florida. (a land developmental area near Weeki Wachee, Florida) The Lord blessed us with 6 strong years of growth in many ways. We failed to Strive for Five (an old Sunday School emphasis) but we were blessed with 3 more little Smith-ettes: Chadwick Michael (6 Dec. '80), Scott Wesley (20 Mar. '83), and Heather Nicole (9 Feb. '85)
The quiver was full as we once again journeyed in faith to a new assignment in Central Brevard County (July '86). Cocoa and Rockledge was the place to be! Everybody on Pluckebaum and Marlin Manor knew we were in town, as the diesel smoke from the old white Chevy station wagon settled instantly. The Lord has blessed us with a wonderful church and community to help us train and equip our family. Thus, I have been the pastor of Rockledge Church of the Nazarene since 1986 and serving Him with gratitude!
"You are loved....!"
Pastor Don