Granger Smith is ready to start a new chapter in his life.
On Tuesday the country music star announced he was leaving the music industry behind to focus on ministry.
“This message is so difficult to post. The words for this caption are so hard to find. Not because I don’t believe in the truth of them, but because this marks the end of the longest era in my life! Touring…24 years of it,” he wrote on Instagram.
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Smith, 43, revealed his summer tour Like a River, named after his three-year-old son who died in an accidental drowning in 2019, would be his last.
“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.”
In an interview with People, Smith said that while “being a musician was never a prison,” his call to ministry was “a new passion, a new focus, a new direction that I believe is going to allow me to focus more on individual people and their lives, which is ultimately why I started music touring in the very beginning.”
The singer shared he’s been working on his master’s degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, however he doesn’t see himself becoming “Pastor Granger.”
Instead, he will spend time ministering at his family’s local church outside of Austin, Texas.
“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.”
Smith admitted he knew some fans wouldn’t understand his decision to leave country music, but ultimately the decision was his.
“I can’t go to seminary and pursue ministry and be poured in by my pastors and elders and go out on the weekends and try to exalt myself.”
For those lucky enough to attend one of his final shows, Smith promised to put on a tour full of “gratitude and just say thank you for so many years.”
In addition to announcing his career change, Smith also revealed he would be releasing his memoir, Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache, which details his journey following his son River’s death.
I have so much respect for Granger Smith. It can’t be easy to leave behind something you’ve known for decades and then leap into the unknown. I pray God will guide him and his family during this next chapter.
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