W. THOMAS SMITH, JR. says one’s personal faith, at least his own, is as simple as “a belief in God, a love for God, and a desire to do the will of God.” Though Smith readily admits, he falls dreadfully short in the “doing,” often quoting 1 Timothy 1:15, which says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — and I am the worst of them.”
That said, Smith is active in his church: An ordained Presbyterian deacon (both PCA and ARP), he has served as a Bible study group leader, facilitating both in-church men’s Bible study groups and leading-and-teaching homeless men’s Bible studies outside of church. He is a current Sunday School teacher, former usher captain, former director of his church’s special needs class, and past-president of his Sunday School class among other church responsibilities. He also directs ALWAYS FAITHFUL OUTREACH, a Christian ministry reaching out to the homeless and others in need.
A man of deep, abiding faith in Christ, Smith believes in the inerrancy and authority of Holy Scripture and that “man is justified [made just or righteous] by God’s grace through man’s personal faith alone,” he says. And that a believer’s works – which will never be enough to save the sinful person – are simply a product of that faith. Beyond that, Smith’s works or “lack thereof,” as he says, is between him and God. In this, he refers to Matthew 6:3, which says: “Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”
Smith is an ardent defender of the Christian faith. And his articles and essays about faith have appeared in many publications, including Caesarea Station, American Greatness, and THE CHRISTIAN POST, one of the largest Christian publications in the nation.
Smith’s Sunday School lessons have covered everything from the power of prayer, to the “wilderness wanderings” following the Exodus from Egypt to Joshua’s military campaigns, the story of Jacob, the journey of the magi, the Roman Centurion Cornelius, various books of the Bible, and so much more. As of this writing, Smith is preparing a lesson on the Old Testament book of Zephaniah, one of the 12 minor prophets.
Smith says his faith may best be expressed through the words of David, who said: “I love You, O LORD, my Strength. The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer, my God, my Rock, in Whom I take refuge; My Shield and the Horn of my salvation, my Stronghold. I call upon the LORD, Who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” — Psalm 18:1-3
Another expression is ‘HE WHO STRENGTHENS,’ a song which Smith penned the lyrics to in 2015. The song was performed on May 26, 2020 by Kerri Grimsley Roberts of Columbia, South Carolina’s TOWN THEATRE fame, also Northeast Presbyterian Church music director Jeremy Buzzard and violinist Haley Kovach Reasoner: WATCH VIDEO BELOW.
Pictured above are the Biblical magi approaching Bethlehem from the story in Matthew 2. The picture below “the magi” is of Smith (left) and retired USMC Col. Steve Vitali during a roadside cleanup, July 16, 2021. The three photographs below the video are of Smith as the Angel Gabriel in Northeast Presbyterian Church’s December 12, 2021 performance of “Agnus Dei,” a Christmas cantata; Smith with his shofar [More about the shofar]; and Smith (right) in the role of a chief priest with Andrew Eckstrom (left) during rehearsals for Holy Week performances, 2023.