Editing Brother Jed

{{Short description|American evangelist (1943–2022)}}
{{Infobox clergy
| image         = Brother Jed on Speakers Circle (Oct 2014).jpg
| image_size    = 
| alt           =
| caption       = Brother Jed in 2014
| nationality   = 
| citizenship   = 
| birth_name    = George Edward Smock Jr.
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|1943|01|04}}
| birth_place   = [[Brookings, South Dakota]], U.S.
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|2022|06|06|1943|01|04}}
| death_place   =
| church        = 
| years_active  = 1972–2022
| occupation    = [[College religious organizations|Campus]] [[Evangelism|evangelist]]
| religion      = [[Fundamentalist Christianity]] and [[Pelagianism]]
| spouse        = {{Marriage|Cynthia D. Lasseter|1983}}
| children      = 5
| education     = 
| ordained      = 
| writings      = 
*''Who Will Rise Up?: A Call to Confrontational Evangelism'' (1984)
*''Gold in the Furnace: South Africa on Trial'' (1987)
*''Grieve Not the Spirit'' (1992)
*''Walking in the Spirit'' (1992)
*''The Mystery of Christ Revealed: The Key to Understanding Predestination'' (2000)
| signature     = 
| signature_alt = 
| website       = {{URL|www.brojed.org}}
| footnotes     =
| box_width     =
}}

'''George Edward''' "'''Jed'''" '''Smock Jr.''' (January 4, 1943 – June 6, 2022),<ref>{{cite news |title='Brother Jed' Smock dies at 79 |url=https://obituaries.tribstar.com/obituary/george-smock-1085410811 |access-date=8 June 2022 |publisher=Terre Haute TribStar |date=8 June 2022}}</ref> better known as '''Brother Jed''', was an American [[Evangelism|evangelist]] whose [[open-air preaching]] ministry was concentrated on college campuses. He preached at major universities in all 50 US states and other countries.<ref name="lsureveille1">{{cite web |url=http://www.lsureveille.com/news/brother-jed-grabs-student-attention-with-controversial-evangelism-1.2693044#.T1oKIvVm7hU |title=Brother Jed grabs student attention with controversial evangelism - News - the Daily Reveille - Louisiana State University |website=www.lsureveille.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204102419/http://www.lsureveille.com/news/brother-jed-grabs-student-attention-with-controversial-evangelism-1.2693044#.T1oKIvVm7hU |archive-date=4 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As an [[itinerant preacher]], he usually spent only a few days on each campus, visiting the northern campuses in the fall and spring and the southern campuses in the winter. In 2004, he relocated to [[Columbia, Missouri]], where he often preached at the [[University of Missouri]] and other colleges throughout the Midwest. In the summer of 2013, he relocated his ministry and residence to his hometown of [[Terre Haute, Indiana]].

== Biography ==
Brother Jed's self-described lifestyle of "drunkenness, dissipation, and debauchery" began while he was a freshman in high school. Older friends exposed him to alcohol, which became a regular part of his life. Smock began attending [[Indiana University Bloomington|Indiana University]] in 1960.<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last1=Smock |first1=Jed |title=Who Will Rise Up? A Fiery Preacher Compels You To Radical Christianity |date=1983 |publisher=Huntington House Inc. |isbn=0-910311-25-0 |page= |pages=8-9}}</ref> By his second year, he had established himself as the heaviest drinker in the fraternity. Smock would soon drop out of Indiana University and hitchhike to California, where he was a door-to-door encyclopedia salesman.

Smock would later go on to finish his undergraduate education at [[Indiana State University]], continuing his previous lifestyle of "debauchery." There he graduated with honors, majoring in Social Studies with a minor of English. Smock states in his autobiography that, despite his lifestyle, he graduated near the top of his class, going straight to the bars after taking his last senior final exam. There he was hospitalized after being punched while trying to stop a fight, leaving him with a scar on his face. Smock claims to have woken up in an emergency room with no recollection of the night before, having details being filled in by his friend, and having gone back out to the bars that same night.<ref name=":0" />

Smock attended graduate school at Indiana State University, where he earned a master's degree in history and wrote a thesis on "the personal effects of smoking seven straight joints of marijuana" while he was a research assistant in psychology for the Institute of Research into Human Behavior at the school. Smock served as a history professor for one year at the [[University of Wisconsin–La Crosse]].<ref name="themaneater2006">{{cite web|url=http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2006/9/1/christians-clash-campus/ |title=Christians clash on campus – The Maneater |publisher=Themaneater.com |date= |accessdate=2013-09-20}}</ref>

He [[Christianization|converted to Christianity]] after being preached to by an Arab carrying a cross in Morocco.<ref name="themaneater2006"/><ref>"Teacher preacher". ''The Advocate''. January 29, 1997</ref><ref name="lsureveille1"/>

Smock formed Campus Ministry USA, a [[para-church]] organization, in 1984.<ref>Beatriz Costa-Lima, [http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2013/4/9/brother-jed-leave-columbia-return-indiana/ Brother Jed to leave Columbia, return to Indiana: Jed Smock still plans to return to Columbia for a week every year] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306211115/http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2013/4/9/brother-jed-leave-columbia-return-indiana/ |date=2017-03-06 }}, ''The Maneater'' (April 9, 2013).</ref> In 2004, the group moved its operations from [[Newark, Ohio]] to Columbia, Missouri, where he often preached at the [[University of Missouri]] on Speakers Circle.

Brother Jed left Columbia for Indiana in 2013. His family was documented for a pilot TV series while preaching in Indiana.<ref name=Reality>{{cite news|last1=Guthrie|first1=Claudia|title=Brother Jed might star in CMT reality show|url=http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2013/9/25/brother-jed-might-star-cmt-reality-show/|accessdate=4 May 2015|work=The Maneater|date=25 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505041557/http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2013/9/25/brother-jed-might-star-cmt-reality-show/|archive-date=2015-05-05|url-status=live}}</ref>

Brother Jed frequented Eastern Illinois University.<ref>[http://www.houstonianonline.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=4c5156bc-6199-4c69-a9db-90f9cc24764c Traveling preacher causes uproar at SHSU] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506072704/http://www.houstonianonline.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=4c5156bc-6199-4c69-a9db-90f9cc24764c |date=2008-05-06 }}, [[Sam Houston State University#Campus media|Houstonian]]</ref>

== Personal life ==
Jed married Cynthia D. Lasseter Smock (who calls herself “Sister Cindy” when preaching).<ref>[http://media.www.iowastatedaily.com/media/storage/paper818/news/1995/10/19/UndefinedSection/Controversial.Preacher.Talks.On.Campus-1068244.shtml Controversial preacher talks on campus] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506111351/http://media.www.iowastatedaily.com/media/storage/paper818/news/1995/10/19/UndefinedSection/Controversial.Preacher.Talks.On.Campus-1068244.shtml |date=2008-05-06 }}, [[Iowa State Daily]]</ref> They have five daughters, all of whom have accompanied them on their travels and appearances on college campuses.<ref>[http://www.colleges.com/Umagazine/articles.taf?category=199902&article=U.9902.LBROTHERJED A Man Named Jed], ''U Magazine''</ref>

== Preaching style and personal views ==
[[File:Jed Smock on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia.jpg|thumb|right|Brother Jed on Speaker's Circle in Sept. 2005]]
Smock wrote a spiritual autobiography, ''Who Will Rise Up?'' in which he described his dissolute youth and conversion experience, and presented his justification for his confrontational style of evangelism.

Smock and his wife Cindy used a distinctive preaching style, termed "confrontational evangelism" in the subtitle of his autobiography. This controversial variant of evangelism<ref>[http://media.www.statehornet.com/media/storage/paper1146/news/2003/03/26/News/College.Crusader.Condemns.Students-2421794.shtml College crusader condemns students] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506091958/http://media.www.statehornet.com/media/storage/paper1146/news/2003/03/26/News/College.Crusader.Condemns.Students-2421794.shtml |date=2008-05-06 }}, ''The State Hornet''</ref> is shared by some street and campus preachers, who hope that a spiritual rebuke will force sinners to repent.<ref>[http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2005/9/9/students-confront-aggressive-preachers/ Students confront aggressive preachers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722122531/http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2005/9/9/students-confront-aggressive-preachers/ |date=2011-07-22 }}, [[The Maneater]]</ref> In his autobiography, Smock referred to his college evangelical group as "The Destroyers", but this name is not presently being used on his website.

Smock was a member of the [[United Methodist Church]], although his actions, views, and theology were not indicative of its positions.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}

[[College newspapers]] have reported some of his statements: "I don't know how the whorehouses in this town stay open — all of you sorority girls are giving it away for free!" and "Who are you, [[Bob Marley]]?" (addressed to a black student with [[dreadlocks]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoEcE5AKZSQ |title=Youtube clip |publisher=Youtube.com |accessdate=2013-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921062437/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoEcE5AKZSQ |archive-date=2013-09-21 |url-status=live }}</ref> He often shouted, "A masturbator today is a homosexual tomorrow." His assistants carried signs declaring that [[feminists]], [[Liberalism|liberals]], and those who listen to [[rock and roll]] are destined for [[Hell]], along with homosexuals, fornicators, those who use tampons, and masturbators. As a result of his aggressive, rude and confrontational style of preaching, Brother Jed was frequently mocked and accused of intolerance.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2001/10/evangelist-doesnt-deserve-derision/ |title=Evangelist doesn't deserve derision |last=Parcells |first=Laura |date=2001-10-05 |work=[[Cavalier Daily]] |access-date=2014-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505055714/http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2001/10/evangelist-doesnt-deserve-derision/ |archive-date=2015-05-05 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Besides issues relating to coarse language with immodest sexual references, Smock claimed to be sinless, holding a position called [[sinless perfection|Christian perfection]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Smock |first=Jed |title=Who Will Rise Up? A Fiery Preacher Compels You To Radical Christianity |date=1983 |publisher=Huntington House Inc |year=1983 |isbn=0-910311-25-0 |pages=143-151}}</ref> He held to [[Pelagianism]], identifying himself with the teachings of [[Pelagius]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.brojed.org/cms/commentary/faq/95-what-is-your-opinion-of-pelagius|title=What is Your Opinion of Pelagius? - brojed.org|website=www.brojed.org}}</ref> In addition, he held a view of God which denies that goodness is an essential attribute of God's nature.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.brojed.org/cms/who-are-we/statement-of-faith2/43-a-word-from-bro-jed/207-is-god-good-by-nature-or-by-choice |title=Is God Good by Nature or by Choice? - brojed.org |access-date=2015-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505054828/http://www.brojed.org/cms/who-are-we/statement-of-faith2/43-a-word-from-bro-jed/207-is-god-good-by-nature-or-by-choice |archive-date=2015-05-05 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Fictional portrayals ==
Smock's character was the basis of the 2012 short, ''Battle of the Sects'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2420800/|title=Battle of the Sects: The Innocence of Christians (Video 2012) - IMDb|via=www.imdb.com}}</ref> in which an extreme evangelical preacher visits a university only to be run out by the campus Christians.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://microentertainment.net/?page_id=43 |title=Battle of the Sects (2012) |publisher=Micro Entertainment |accessdate=2013-09-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053951/http://microentertainment.net/?page_id=43 |archivedate=2013-09-21 }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of campus preachers]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.brojed.org/|Brother Jed's official website}}
* [http://sniggle.net/jedhead.php The Brother Jed Phenomenon] – Brother Jed incorporated this [[Editorial|op-ed]] from [[California Polytechnic State University|Cal Poly]]'s ''Mustang Daily'' into his autobiographical book ''Who Will Rise Up?''
* [https://archive.today/20130119165611/http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2007/08/28/brother-jed-moves-beyond-speakers-circle/  Brother Jed moves beyond Speakers Circle], [[Columbia Missourian]]
*[https://www.callahanandhughes.com/obituary/george-smock Obituary]

== Further reading ==
* Handelman, David "College is Hell: The Destroyers have preached hellfire and damnation on campus for a decade. But can they get a witness?" ''Rolling Stone'' 27 March 1986, pp.&nbsp;87+

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brother Jed}}
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:Converts to Methodism]]
[[Category:Campus preachers]]
[[Category:Indiana State University alumni]]
[[Category:American United Methodists]]
[[Category:People from Brookings, South Dakota]]
[[Category:Writers from South Dakota]]
[[Category:University of Wisconsin&ndash;La Crosse faculty]]
[[Category:Pelagians]]