Brother Jed
Encyclopedia
George Edward Smock better known as Brother Jed, or Jed Smock, is an American
evangelist
whose ministry is concentrated on college campuses. In his autobiography, he states that he has preached at most major universities in all fifty states. 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. In 2004 he relocated to Columbia, Missouri
where his ministry is now based. 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 confrontational style of evangelism. Brother Jed, in his book, recalls how he converted to Christianity
being preached to by an Arab in Morocco.
in 1960, studying social studies
and English, where he pledged Delta Upsilon
Fraternity. By his second year, he established himself as the heaviest drinker in the fraternity. Smock states in his autobiography that, despite his lifestyle, he graduated near the top of his class. Smock also states in his autobiography that he attended Graduate School at Indiana State University attaining a Master's Degree in History and writing a Thesis on "the personal effects of smoking seven straight joints of marijuana" while he was a Research Assistant in Psychology for the Institute of Research into Human Behavior at the school.
Brother Jed and his wife Cynthia D. Lasseter Smock (a.k.a. “Sister Cindy”) use a distinctive preaching style, termed "confrontational evangelism" in the subtitle of his autobiography, "Who Will Rise Up?" This controversial variant of evangelism is shared by many street-preachers, campus pastors and other evangelicals, who hope that a spiritual rebuke will force sinners to repent. In his Autobiography he refers to his College Evangelical Group as "The Destroyers"; but this name is not presently being used on his website. College newspapers have reported some of his statements: "I don't know how the whorehouses in this town stay open — all of you sorority girls are giving it away for free!," "Who are you, Bob Marley
?" (said to a black student with dreadlocks
), and "The only thing Mexicans contribute to society is burritos and Jewish people are only good at making bagels and running banks." He often shouts, "A masturbator today is a homosexual tomorrow." His assistants carry signs declaring that feminists, liberals and those who listen to rock and roll
are destined for Heaven
, 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. He and Cindy have five daughters, all of whom have accompanied them on their travels and appearances on college campuses.
They are members of the United Methodist Church
. However their actions, views, and theology are not indicative of the Methodist Church
.
Smock's ministry has attracted a group of mock-devotees, calling themselves "Jed Heads".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
evangelist
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
whose ministry is concentrated on college campuses. In his autobiography, he states that he has preached at most major universities in all fifty states. 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. In 2004 he relocated to Columbia, Missouri
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
where his ministry is now based. He often preaches in Speaker's Circle at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, 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 confrontational style of evangelism. Brother Jed, in his book, recalls how he converted to Christianity
Christianization
The historical phenomenon of Christianization is the conversion of individuals to Christianity or the conversion of entire peoples at once...
being preached to by an Arab in Morocco.
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. Smock began attending Indiana State UniversityIndiana State University
Indiana State University is a public university located in Terre Haute, Indiana, United States.The Princeton Review has named Indiana State as one of the "Best in the Midwest" seven years running, and the College of Education's Graduate Program was recently named as a 'Top 100' by U.S...
in 1960, studying social studies
Social studies
Social studies is the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence," as defined by the American National Council for the Social Studies...
and English, where he pledged Delta Upsilon
Delta Upsilon
Delta Upsilon is the sixth oldest international, all-male, college Greek-letter organization, and is the oldest non-secret fraternity in North America...
Fraternity. By his second year, he established himself as the heaviest drinker in the fraternity. Smock states in his autobiography that, despite his lifestyle, he graduated near the top of his class. Smock also states in his autobiography that he attended Graduate School at Indiana State University attaining a Master's Degree in History and writing a Thesis on "the personal effects of smoking seven straight joints of marijuana" while he was a Research Assistant in Psychology for the Institute of Research into Human Behavior at the school.
The Campus Ministry
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
?" (said to a black student with dreadlocks
Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks, also called locks, a ras, dreads, "rasta" or Jata , are matted coils of hair. Dreadlocks are usually intentionally formed; because of the variety of different hair textures, various methods are used to encourage the formation of locks such as backcombing...
), and "The only thing Mexicans contribute to society is burritos and Jewish people are only good at making bagels and running banks." He often shouts, "A masturbator today is a homosexual tomorrow." His assistants carry signs declaring that feminists, liberals and those who listen to rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
are destined for Heaven
Heaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
, 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. He and Cindy have five daughters, all of whom have accompanied them on their travels and appearances on college campuses.
They are members of the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
. However their actions, views, and theology are not indicative of the Methodist Church
The Methodist Church
The Methodist Church was the name adopted by the Methodist denomination formed in the United States by the reunion on May 10, 1939 of the northern and southern factions of the Methodist Episcopal Church with the Methodist Protestant Church....
.
Smock's ministry has attracted a group of mock-devotees, calling themselves "Jed Heads".
External links
- Brother Jed's official website
- The Brother Jed Phenomenon – Brother Jed incorporated this op-edEditorialAn opinion piece is an article, published in a newspaper or magazine, that mainly reflects the author's opinion about the subject. Opinion pieces are featured in many periodicals.-Editorials:...
from Cal PolyCalifornia Polytechnic State UniversityCalifornia Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system....
's Mustang Daily into his autobiographical book Who Will Rise Up? - Mizzou Videos – Videos of Jed preaching on the University of Missouri's campus.
- Brother Jed moves beyond Speakers Circle, Columbia MissourianColumbia MissourianThe Columbia Missourian, or the Missourian, is a daily morning newspaper published in Columbia, Missouri. It is one of two daily newspapers in Columbia...
Further reading
- Handelman, David "College is Hell: The Destroyers have preached hellfire and damnation on campus for a decade. But can they get a witness?" Rolling Stone 27 March 1986, pp. 87+