<P> Smith is actively involved in volunteer service and is vice chair of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, which is chaired by Jean Case of the Case Foundation . He is also an avid spokesperson for sponsoring children through Compassion International . </P> <P> Smith is married to Deborah "Debbie" Kay Davis (b . 1958) and has five children: Ryan Smith, Whitney Katherine Smith - Mooring (married to Jack Mooring of the band Leeland), Tyler Michael (keyboard player for the United Tour), Anna Elizabeth, and Emily Allison . He resides in the Nashville suburbs and spends time at the Smith family farm . His son, Ryan Smith, is a filmmaker who directed the film After . </P> <P> Alderson - Broaddus College awarded Smith the degree Doctorate of Music honoris causa in 1992 . </P> <P> Smith attended Belmont Church in Nashville, Tennessee and is mentored by its long time pastor, Don Finto. Smith is the founding pastor of New River Fellowship in Franklin, Tennessee, where he was the lead pastor from 2006 to 2008 . Smith and his wife remain involved members of the church . </P>

Michael w. smith - place in this world