Country star Granger Smith has announced his final tour this summer, explaining that he’s leaving the music industry to focus on his faith and pursue ministry.
The 43-year-old singer shared the news Tuesday in a video he posted on Instagram with his 1.2 million followers. The “Backroad Song” hitmaker said he’d felt a “strong desire to pursue ministry” as he revealed that he’s been attending seminary to pursue his M.A. while still trying to keep up with his music career.
“This message is so difficult to post,” Smith wrote. “The words for this caption are so hard to find. Not because I don’t believe in the truth of them, but because this marks the end of the longest era in my life! Touring…24 years of it.”
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“I am so encouraged and hopeful and excited and joyful about the next chapter, but to a large extent, I have no idea what it will look like,” he added. “I just want to glorify God the best way that I can. I want to learn and grow and serve my local church and allow my pastors to equip and affirm those next steps. Lord willing, I want to be used to help people find their purpose.”
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Smith said it doesn’t mean he will “start a church or a crusade or a revival.” But explained that he’s found it difficult lately to reconcile getting up on stage and needing glorification and praise.
He called it a “contradiction” for him to go to “seminary and pursue ministry” and then on the weekends go out and “try to be exalting myself.”
In December, Smith said that after the death of his 3-year-old son River in 2019, he “surrendered to God,” crediting his faith with saving his life when he hit “rock bottom.”
In 2021, Smith and his wife, Amber, welcomed another son, Maverick, into the world. The couple also share two other children, London and Lincoln.
Related: ‘Surrendered To God’: Country Singer Granger Smith Says Faith ‘Saved My Life’ After Losing His Child