Tiffany Smith hails from the great northwestern Oklahoma town of Alva, population 5000 (except during the college school year when there’s approximately 7,000). She was born to Dr. Troy and Elizabeth Smith and has one sister, Tenille and one brother, Tray. She also has a wonderful sister-in-law, Whitney.

Jesus said, “Unless you become like little children…” Tiffany feels very thankful that she was brought up in the church from a young age and believed everything she was taught. “I took to heart what the pastor and Sunday school teachers said.” She describes her upbringing as a “fairy tale” because she doesn’t remember a time that she didn’t feel loved: “In a way, I never knew what I had until I saw so many without that kind of love. I thought that everyone had two parents that loved them. I thought that all kids were able to be kids and not have to go through situations that children should never have to deal with at such a young age.”

As Tiffany grew up, she had the good fortune to have wonderful role models that set Godly examples for her. By watching their lives, she could see that serving God affected all areas of family and community life as well as church life. There was no difference in how these people acted, whether inside or outside the church walls. “I look back and see how easily I could have been in danger of taking the wrong path if not for these Godly people that lived out their Christianity every day.”

By the time Tiffany was in high school and college she realized how out-of-the- ordinary her childhood experience really was. “I made a decision that I did not want to waste my life but rather make every opportunity to give to others the blessings that I had been given. I knew that the love I had from my parents and from God was what I wanted everyone else to experience. If people did not feel loved by their parents or family, I could at least try and show them the love of Christ.”

Another factor in Tiffany’s youth that instilled a desire for service, was observing her father, an optometrist, treating and serving his patients. When she left home she attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, with the intention of becoming a doctor. In 2005 she earned her Bachelor’s in Chemistry and completed a minor in Biology. But before applying to medical school, she had the strong sense that this was not the direction that God would have her take. “I was going to be a doctor to serve God, but I had never asked Him if that’s what He wanted for my life.” As Tiffany prayed for guidance, she felt that God was calling her to ministry. More specifically, she felt led toward chaplaincy: especially hospital, sports and military chaplaincy.

She chose military chaplaincy and began the procedures to accomplish that goal. In March of 2005 she was accepted to Perkins School of Theology and by June 2007 she was commissioned as a United States Naval Officer. The summer of 2008 was spent in Officer Development School, Naval Chaplain School, AMEX and TEAMS in Newport, RI. Tiffany spent her last year of seminary in Oklahoma City serving as an intern at Church of the Servant. She then graduated from Perkins on May 16, 2009 with her MDIV. She is now a licensed local pastor, on track to become an ordained minister.

With her appointment to Asbury, Tiffany has come full circle. She will be working closely with Charles Ryser, our Pastor of Care, to share the love and power of Christ with the hurting. Her passion to care and give, love and serve will be the “medicine” she administers to those in need.

In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys working out, playing ball, hanging out with family and friends, writing, reading, listening to music, going to plays, musicals, and museums. She is also a HUGE March Madness fan and LOVES college football and basketball.