Brother Jed

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Brother Jed's business card from a speaking tour of Florida State University

George E. Smock (b. January 4, 1943), better known as Brother Jed, or Jed Smock, is an American evangelist whose ministry is concentrated on college campuses. He has preached at most major universities in all fifty states.[1] He usually only spends a few days on each campus hitting the northern campuses in the fall and spring and the southern campuses in the winter months.[1] In 2004 he relocated to Columbia, Missouri where his ministry is now based.[2] He often preaches in Speaker's Circle at the University of Missouri, and in warmer weather can be seen preaching almost daily. Smock has written a spiritual autobiography entitled "Who Will Rise Up?" in which he describes his dissolute youth and conversion experience as well as presenting his justification for his unusual style of evangelism. Brother Jed, in his book, recalls how he converted to Christianity being preached to by an Arab in Morocco.[1]

Contents

[edit] Biography

Brother Jed draws from many experiences in his early life while preaching. His self-described lifestyle of "drunkenness, dissipation and debauchery" began while he was a freshman in high school. Older friends exposed him to alcohol, and drunkenness became a regular part of life every week. Despite his party lifestyle, Jed graduated near the top of his class.[1]

Jed began attending Indiana University in 1960, where he pledged Delta Upsilon Fraternity. By his second year, he established himself as the heaviest drinker in the fraternity. Jed eventually graduated with honors while studying social studies and English.[1]

[edit] The Campus Ministry

Bro. Jed preaches at Speaker's Circle on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia in September 2005.
Bro. Jed preaches at Speaker's Circle on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia in September 2005.

Brother Jed and his wife "Sister Cindy"[3] use a distinctive preaching style, termed "confrontational evangelism" in the subtitle of his autobiography, "Who Will Rise Up?"[1] This controversial variant of evangelism[4] is shared by many street-preachers, campus pastors and other evangelicals, who hope that a spiritual rebuke will force sinners to repent. [5] Brother Jed often uses 'humor' mixed in with his confrontational evangelism, as heard at the University of Arizona, "I don't know how the whorehouses in this town stay open--all of you sorority girls are giving it away for free!" He often ventures into simple abuse, for example, asking a black student wearing dreadlocks :"Who are you, Bob Marley?";[6] on another occasion, he said "the only thing Mexicans contribute to society is burritos, and Jewish people are only good at making bagels and running banks."[7] He often shouts, "A masturbator today is a homosexual tomorrow."[7] His assistants carry signs declaring that feminists, liberals and those who listen to rock and roll are destined for Hell, along with homosexuals, fornicators and masturbators. As a result of his aggressive and confrontational style of preaching, Brother Jed is frequently mocked and accused of intolerance.[8] He and Cindy have five daughters, all of whom have accompanied them on their travels and appearances on college campuses.[9]

They are members of the United Methodist Church. However their actions, views, and theology are not indicative of the Methodist Church.[10]

Political consultant Paul Begala received a pocket copy of the New Testament from Brother Jed on the University of Texas at Austin campus in 1979 that he says he keeps with him at all times. While an advisor to Bill Clinton on his first presidential election campaign, he handed the book to Clinton with John 3:16 highlighted, to make a point about the ability of "sound bites" to communicate important policies.[11]

Smock's ministry has attracted a group of mock-devotees, calling themselves "Jed Heads".[7]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f Who Will Rise Up?, Jed Smock
  2. ^ Christians clash on campus, The Maneater
  3. ^ Controversial preacher talks on campus, Iowa State Daily
  4. ^ College crusader condemns students, The State Hornet
  5. ^ Students confront aggressive preachers, The Maneater
  6. ^ Youtube clip
  7. ^ a b c Evangelist, students debate, Arizona Daily Wildcat
  8. ^ Evangelist doesn't deserve derision, The Cavalier Daily
  9. ^ A Man Named Jed, U Magazine
  10. ^ Traveling preacher causes uproar at SHSU, Houstonian
  11. ^ Interview with Paul Begala on The Colbert Report episode #2012, originally aired January 26, 2006, Comedy Central. See The Colbert Report episode guide.

[edit] External links