Colin Smith
Colin is Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church and teacher of the radio program, Open the Bible. With a large and growing audience, the program is now heard on more than 250 radio stations, and via podcasts, mobile apps, and on the internet. The ministry challenges listeners to believe their lives can be transformed by the power of Jesus Christ.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Colin was raised in a Christian family and felt the call of God to pastoral ministry from an early age. He trained at London School of Theology where he received a B.A. in Theology and later a Master of Philosophy. Colin was Pastor of the Enfield Evangelical Free Church in North London for 16 years and during that time served in various capacities in the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, including a time as its president.
In 1996, Colin transitioned to serve at The Orchard. A vibrant, multi-campus church in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, The Orchard is committed to seeing the gospel run and expand rapidly through the lives of believers as they follow Christ. The mission of the church calls Christians to put down deep roots in the Word of God, live life through the Spirit of God, and bring forth fruit in service for God.
Seeking to reinvigorate churches in America, The Orchard has also launched a network of like-minded ministries and pastors dedicated to making the Gospel central in their preaching. The Orchard Network provides seminars, training, and mentoring designed to broaden the impact of churches in reaching people for Christ.
A much appreciated conference speaker, Colin has had the opportunity to minister at a range of Bible preaching conferences and seminars, including The Gospel Coalition and Moody Founder’s Week. Colin met his wife Karen while studying at London Bible College. The Smiths now live in Chicago and have two grown children and four beautiful grandchildren.
https://openthebible.org/