Deron Smith
College of Bible and Ministry, Admin
Director of Accelerated Pastoral Leadership Program
Biography
Deron came to Lipscomb in July 2020 to join the wider mission of Lipscomb to help shape and educate students as they prepare to engage the world as representatives of Jesus in any and every vocation. He serves alongside the Student Life Team as Dean of Vocation and Spiritual Formation and with the College of Bible and Ministry as an Assistant Professor. In Student Life, he also works closely with Career Development and Veteran Services. Deron's ministry experience includes more than 16 years as Lead Preaching Minister at the East Sunshine Church of Christ in Springfield, Missouri (2004-2020) and eight years in cross-cultural missions with a team in Jinja, Uganda (1994-2002). Deron continues his connection to Uganda by serving on the board of the Kibo Group, a faith-inspired nonprofit that partners with East Africans to pursue local solutions for poverty and injustice to help communities flourish.
Deron is joyfully married to Becca, and they have three grown daughters, Abby Dingus, Makayla Henderson, and Toria. He enjoys doing anything with Becca, bragging on his daughters, hanging out with students, watching sports, working out to music, and sipping strong coffee.
Academic Degrees
B.S. in Bible (1990) and M.Div. (2000), Harding University
Ph.D. in Theology, Trinity College, Bristol, UK (2004)