Chris Smithey

Chris Smithey was born in Osceola, Arkansas, in 1960. He started going to church early in his life and, at the age of twelve, preached his first sermon at a small Assembly of God church he was attending. Over the next few years, he would preach in several churches in the area and at an AG district youth rally. He also worked as a helper with children's church and youth groups.
Chris married the love of his life, Teresa, at the age of 18, and they began a life of ministry together. Along the way, they had two children, Tiffany and Chris Jr. Tiffany married Kyle Koester in 2009, and they now have two children, Kenzie and Trenton. Chris Jr. also has a son, Carson. This journey with Chris and Teresa still continues after 47 years of marriage. Pastor Chris spent most of his adult life in pastoral ministry. He served as pastor at three different churches in Arkansas before moving to Illinois to pastor. He spent 22 years pastoring at Curtis Road Church of God in Champaign, IL. In 2025, he retired due to an eye condition, and he and his bride moved back to Arkansas.

In addition, he has served on many elected and appointed boards in Arkansas and Illinois. Elected positions include Evangelism Board in Arkansas and Illinois, and State Council in Arkansas and Illinois. Some of the appointed positions he has held include Arkansas Evangelism Director, CAMS and MIP Coordinator, District Overseer, Pastoral Covenant Group State Coordinator, and Chairman of Ministerial Development. His educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Arkansas Northeastern College and a Master of Arts in counseling from Church of God Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee. He has also completed all of his academic work on his Doctor of Ministry in church leadership at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.