The Smithville Church of God will introduce its new pastor, Chris Moore, and his family in a community reception held in the church’s Fellowship Center from 2-4 pm on Sunday, April 24. While Moore is new to the position of Senior Pastor, his is a familiar face in Smithville having served with his wife, Holly, as Youth and Children’s Pastors since 2011. Moore has also been employed by the DeKalb County Board of Education, working at DeKalb Middle School.

Moore preached his first sermon at the age of 16. He began his ministerial career in earnest at 25 as youth pastor at the Cookeville Church of God. He first came to Smithville in 2005 as a part of the Church of God’s Ministerial Internship Program. After completing the program, Moore served briefly as youth pastor in Smithville before accepting a position in Ravenna, Ky. He also served as Youth Pastor at Lexington Rd. Church of God in Kentucky before returning to Tennessee.

Pastor and Mrs. Moore have been married since 1998. They are the parents of 5 children: Samuel, Sadie, Sara, Saige and Skyla.

Moore says, "I am overwhelmed by the love shown by the Smithville Church of God. I am thankful and honored to pastor a church with such a strong heritage of work in this community."

Church council member Ronnie Garrison expressed his endorsement of the new pastor this way, "We have found a loving, caring pastor with a strong vision of what God has in store."

The church is excited to begin a new era of ministry while maintaining a sense of continuity in purpose and mission.