Bobby Smith, founding director of Chaplaincy Relations with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, died Oct. 18. He was 68.
“For 25 years, Dr. Bobby Smith faithfully and capably served Texas Baptists. For over 20 years, he worked to create one of the finest chaplaincy programs in the United States,” said Katie Frugé, director of the Center for Cultural Engagement.
“His ministry legacy is a worldwide network of chaplains serving in every corner of our communities under the umbrella of Texas Baptists. As we grieve his passing, we also celebrate the monumental impact he made and thank God for the eternal impact Bobby Smith had on so many.”
Smith served as a chaplain at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston from 1997 to 2001. In 2002, he became the founding director of Texas Baptists Chaplaincy Relations, a ministry that endorses and trains chaplains in the areas of military, correctional, lifestyle, public safety, healthcare, marketplace, crisis response and pastoral counseling.
‘A chaplain to the chaplains’
Since the ministry’s creation, more than 1,125 chaplains have been endorsed, including 650 active chaplains.
Smith was honored in September for his years of service at the Chaplaincy Relations 20th anniversary banquet. He was described as a “chaplain to the chaplains” by those in the ministry, and chaplains shared stories of the many times Smith provided support as they and their families went through hard times.
During the banquet, the Chaplaincy Endorsement Council announced the Bobby and Vicky Smith Endowment Fund would be created in honor of Smith and his wife for their years of dedication. To learn more, click here.
Smith received his bachelor of arts degree from Howard Payne University in 1976. He also earned master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
Before beginning his chaplaincy ministry, Smith was pastor of First Baptist Church of Mullin, First Baptist Church of Mont Belvieu and First Baptist Church of Galveston.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by The Baptist Standard and was originally published on their website.
