Wordsmith with Clay Smith

What happens when the plans you have for your life are interrupted by God’s call? In this episode of WordSmith, Pastor Clay sits down with Rob and Nancy Childs to hear how God reshaped their vision for retirement and led them to serve sent ones through the Renewal Project in Málaga, Spain. What began as plans for a slower life near the coast became something entirely different as God used their children, relationships, circumstances, and years of practicing hospitality to reveal a new assignment.
As Rob and Nancy share their story, they reflect on the patience, prayer, and discernment it took to follow where God was leading—even when the path wasn’t immediately clear. Their journey connects with the story of Nehemiah and the way God often uses the people around us to awaken a burden, confirm a calling, and give us the courage to take the next step. This conversation is a reminder that God is often preparing us long before we recognize it, using the gifts we already have and the people He places in our lives to lead us into purposes we never could have planned for ourselves.
Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus.
Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this week’s episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay Smith is joined by David Anderson, Pastor of Adult Disciple Making at Johnson Ferry, for a conversation about spiritual gifts and how God uniquely equips every believer to participate in His mission. Together, they unpack what Scripture teaches about spiritual gifts, how they differ from natural talents, whether our gifts can change over time, and how we can begin to recognize the ways the Holy Spirit is working through us.
Clay and David also discuss why our gifts were never intended to be used in isolation. God gives different gifts to different people so that the body of Christ can work together to build up the Church and further His mission. Whether you already know your spiritual gifts or are still discovering them, this conversation will encourage you to pay attention to where God is working, step into opportunities to serve, and faithfully use what He has given you for His glory.
Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus.
Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this special episode of WordSmith, Pastor Clay sits down with Johnson Ferry’s founding pastor, Bryant Wright, for a conversation about the art, calling, and responsibility of preaching God’s Word. Drawing from nearly 50 years of ministry and thousands of sermons, Bryant reflects on his earliest experiences teaching the Bible, the pastors and mentors who shaped him, and the lessons he has learned through decades in the pulpit.
Clay and Bryant also pull back the curtain on what sermon preparation actually looks like—from selecting and studying a text to planning months ahead, protecting preparation time, and spending 15–20 hours developing a message. They discuss the importance of prayer, staying dependent on the Holy Spirit, preaching the whole counsel of Scripture, and keeping Christ and the gospel at the center of every sermon. Whether you preach, teach, lead a Bible study, or simply want to better understand the work that happens before Sunday morning, this conversation offers practical wisdom and encouragement for faithfully communicating God’s Word.
Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus.
Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this week’s episode of Wordsmith, Clay sits down with Travis Lewis to talk about work, calling, and what it looks like to see our careers through the lens of faith. Travis shares lessons from more than three decades in the workforce and how God has used different jobs, seasons, challenges, and relationships to shape his understanding of purpose and calling.
Together, they discuss what it means to make our work an act of worship, how to avoid finding our identity in achievement, and how our faith can influence the way we lead and serve others. They also tackle practical questions like what to do when you don’t enjoy your job, how to navigate difficult seasons at work, and how to discern when God may be leading you somewhere new.
Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus.
Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of WordSmith, Pastor Clay sits down with Dave Pyle to explore calling as something much bigger than a job title or professional ambition. Through the life of Peter and Dave’s own journey through career, loss, faith, and transition, they discuss how God uses every season of our lives to shape us for His purposes.
Together, they unpack the importance of listening for God’s direction, embracing grace over performance, and recognizing that what seems small in the world’s eyes can have tremendous value in God’s economy. Whether you’re just beginning your career, navigating a transition, or wondering what God has for you next, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that your calling doesn’t end when one chapter does.
Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus.
Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of WordSmith, Pastor Clay sits down with Tom and Susan Goodwin to explore what it means to discover and live out God's calling. Drawing from Ephesians 2:8–10, they discuss how calling is rooted first in our identity in Christ—not in our job title or accomplishments.
Through stories of transitioning from decades of ministry with Cru into running a family business, they share how God's calling often changes with different seasons of life while His purpose remains the same. Rather than comparing ourselves to others or chasing the "perfect" calling, believers are encouraged to faithfully walk in the opportunities God places before them, trusting that He has uniquely crafted each person for good works that bring Him glory.
Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus.
Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

As America celebrates 250 years as a nation, what does it mean to reflect on our country's history through the lens of faith? In this special edition of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay Smith is joined by Nels and Jennifer Peterson and Valentina Seleznev for a thoughtful conversation about freedom, religious liberty, civic responsibility, and the Christian's role in public life.
Together, they explore the blessings of living in America, the importance of preserving freedom for future generations, and how followers of Christ can engage faithfully in their communities without making politics their primary identity. Drawing from history, personal experience, and biblical principles, this discussion encourages believers to approach America's semiquincentennial with both gratitude and humility, remembering that while we are citizens of a nation, our ultimate allegiance belongs to the Kingdom of God.
Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus.
Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In the season finale of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay is joined once again by Matthew Beaver to close out the series through the book of Ecclesiastes. Together, they reflect on the tension, frustration, and beauty found throughout the book as they unpack Solomon’s final words: “Fear God and keep His commandments.” Through an honest conversation about vanity, wisdom, suffering, obedience, and the temporary nature of life, they explore how Ecclesiastes points us toward lasting meaning and true fulfillment in God alone.
Clay and Matthew also discuss the importance of reverence and awe before God, the connection between fearing God and following His commands, and how the frustrations of this life remind us of both the brokenness of the world and our need for redemption. As Wordsmith takes a break for the summer, this episode serves as both a thoughtful conclusion to Ecclesiastes and an encouraging reminder that even in a world filled with uncertainty, God remains sovereign, good, and worthy of our trust.
Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus.
Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this special episode,  Dr. Clay Smith sits down with the Southern Baptist Convention Presidential Candidate, Josh Powell. 
Josh is also the Sr. Pastor at Taylor's First Baptist Church in Taylors, SC. Pastor Clay dives into what the Southern Baptist Convention is, what the president's role entails, and the question everyone wants to know: Why would anyone want to be president of the SBC?
Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus.
Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of Wordsmith, Clay Smith is joined by guest Justin Harp to explore Ecclesiastes 9:7–10 and the tension between life’s fleeting nature and God’s invitation to joy. Together, they unpack Solomon’s observations about work, celebration, relationships, and mortality—wrestling honestly with the reality that life can feel both meaningful and mysterious. Through thoughtful conversation, they highlight how Scripture calls us not to despair, but to embrace the simple, everyday gifts God has already placed before us.
As the discussion unfolds, Clay and Justin reflect on what it looks like to live with gratitude and intentionality in a fast-paced, achievement-driven world. From celebrating small wins to cultivating margin for rest and community, this episode offers practical wisdom for finding joy in the present moment. Whether you’re navigating family life, work, or your walk with God, you’ll be encouraged to slow down, shift your perspective, and rediscover the beauty of a life lived faithfully—one ordinary day at a time.
Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus.
Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org