By Elinor Keck, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky - Rev. Matt Smyzer, pastor of Beargrass Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., and member of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees, is set to speak at the university's Black History Month chapel service at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, in Ransdell Chapel, 401 N. Hoskins Ave., Campbellsville.
Smyzer hails from Peewee Valley and is the third of seven children. He is married to the former Joann E. Carter and together they are the parents of Felicia A. Smyzer and Machika J. Smyzer- Stewart.
“Rev. Matt Smyzer has been a faithful pastor at Beargrass Missionary Baptist, community leader with the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky, and trustee at Campbellsville University,” Jamie Lawrence, executive director of ministry and church outreach, said. “I look forward to his message.”
Smyzer served as pastor of the Zion Hill Baptist Church of Park City, Ky., from 1992 to 2004. According to the Beargrass Missionary Baptist Church website, under Smyzer's leadership, Zion Hill Baptist Church witnessed many souls won to Christ, completed a $600,000 Community Housing Project and a total renovation of the church's facility and grounds.
In November 2004, Smyzer moved to serve as the senior pastor of the Beargrass Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky. According to his biography, under Smyzer, a record number of people have joined Beargrass Missionary Baptist Church, with 33% of that number joining by baptism.
The church also purchased five acres of land to build a new worship center.
From 2001 to 2014, Smyzer served as executive director of the Baptist Fellowship Center, which ministers to the greater Louisville community. The organization focuses on interracial cooperative ministries. Smyzer recently returned to serve as interim executive director.
Smyzer is also serving as CEO of the Metro Leadership Foundation, director on the Board of The West End Boys School, director of the Commonwealth Compassion Bridge Alliance and as superintendent of missions for the Central District Baptist Association, an association made up of 150 Baptist churches.
Smyzer earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Literature from Simmons Bible College and a Master of Theology from Campbellsville University. He is on the Church Relations Council at Campbellsville University.
In addition to being a preacher, Smyzer is a teacher and college lecturer, having preached across the United States and on two continents.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.