The Rev. Dr. Charles Smith has been named Interim Presbytery Pastor for Indian Nations Presbytery, an Oklahoma City-based regional governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA) comprised of 45 churches in southern and southwestern Oklahoma.

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In 17 years as an ordained minister, Smith has served churches in Kingfisher, Okla.; Newark, Ohio; and Salina, Kan. He received a Master of Divinity degree from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Iowa and a Doctorate in Ministry from McCormick Seminary in Chicago. 

 

In a previous career, Smith was a reporter and copy editor for newspapers in Roanoke, Va.; Kansas City, Mo.; St. Joseph, Mo.; and Omaha, Neb. He also worked for The Associated Press in Richmond, Va., and Oklahoma City, and for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Munich, Germany.

 

Smith, a native of Norfolk, Va., graduated from Casady School in Oklahoma City, where he met his wife, Diana, an Oklahoma City native. He received his undergraduate degree from Washington & Lee University, Lexington, Va.

 

The Interim Presbytery Pastor is called to be a pastor to all churches and pastors in the presbytery, generating goodwill between the presbytery and the congregations, relaying information about needs and concerns, encouraging congregations to build relationships with other congregations for mission cooperation, creating networks, and encouraging congregations and pastors to be a resource to one another.