Ron Smith

Dr. Ronald E. Smith earned his BA degree in Biblical Studies at Asbury College (1977), graduated with an MDiv degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1982, finished the ThM degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in The History of Christian Doctrine in 1990, and received the Masters of Philosophy degree and Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Casperson School of Graduate Studies, Drew University in 2005.

Ron is an ordained deacon and elder in the Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church, and has served under appointment of the Bishop since 1982. Ron has served the local church as youth pastor, associate pastor, senior pastor and church planter. He served the Francis Asbury Society from 1993-1998 as a Fellow and for two years as Executive Director. In 1998 he was elected as the fifth president of Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi where he served for thirteen years. Upon retiring from the presidency, Ron rejoined The Francis Asbury Society in January of 2011 where he served as Executive Director, as President, and now as an evangelist.

Dr. Smith has been privileged to speak in a wide array of settings in the U.S. and around the world. He has served as a keynote lecturer/preacher in a variety of regional, national and international meetings for denominations and consortiums in the pan-Wesleyan world. Ron has also delivered several different distinguished lecture series at different colleges, universities, and theological seminaries such as The Chamberlain Lectures, The Cox Lectures, The Cowman Lectures, and the Thomas F. Staley Distinguished Lectures.

Ron’s special burden is for mentoring students in higher education. He and his family have hosted a weekly meeting for spiritual growth and study with college and seminary students for many years.

Dr. Smith has served on such boards as World Gospel Mission, The Francis Asbury Society, and, for several years, served as Chairman of the Board for One Mission Society. He currently continues service on the OMS board as Chairman of the Theological Committee and member of the Executive Committee.

Dr. Smith served as Chairman of the Faculty and as Professor of Christian Thought at Wesley Biblical Seminary. His work focused on the History of Christian Doctrine; Evangelicalism and Modernity; the Intellectual History of the Nineteenth Century; Forging the American Evangelical Tradition; Perfectionism and Pre-millenialism; the Theological Lifework of Henry Clay Morrison; Evangelistic Preaching.

Dr. Smith has written articles or many denominational and missional publications, and has a special interest in producing substantive theological literature for the Church today.

Ron has been married to his wife Dorena since 1982, and together they have two adult daughters, Katie and Laura Jane.