First Baptist Church of Shelton, CT

Ken Smith

Pastor Ken Smith (Kenneth W. Smith) is passionate about helping people to know God's great grace and love through knowing and following Jesus. Ken relates comfortably with people, and has a down-to-earth, humorous, and conversational style of biblical teaching and preaching that engages and inspires. He believes God offers hope, forgiveness, and new life to anyone who responds to Jesus Christ in faith through the cross and the Holy Spirit’s power. Ken has served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Shelton, CT since 2005. He has a bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies from Gordon College (with minors in English, History, and Philosophy), and Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In 2003, the Evangelical Homiletics Society (EHS) recognized Ken for his paper "Preaching the Psalms," which showed how pastors and teachers can use the inspired design of the Psalms to help people draw closer to God. In addition to serving as a pastor for 30 years, Ken has worked as a laborer and in elder services case management. He also volunteered as a hospital chaplain, board president of a large soup kitchen and food pantry, and in volunteer leadership positions for the American Baptist Churches of CT. Recently he graduated from Nehemiah Leadership Network training. Ken has worked as a part time hospital chaplain since 2015 after completing a chaplain residency at Bridgeport Hospital in May, 2014. Ken enjoys good conversation over coffee, relief construction, football, bicycling, archery, reading, writing, and being with family. He and his wife Elisabeth live in Shelton, CT and have been married for 27 years. Together they have six nieces and nephews.