Jason Smith

Major Gifts Officer
He/Him

Rev. Jason Smith has dedicated his life to building and resourcing communities rooted in justice, compassion, and transformative faith—a mission he brings to Faith and Public Life through his deep commitment to fundraising and development work. His journey began early, preaching his first sermon at Trinity Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., at age seven, sparking a lifelong passion for empowering communities of faith. Over the years, Jason has held key leadership roles, including Executive Director of BPFNA~Bautistas por la Paz and Director of Strategic Gifts at Sojourners, where he strengthened donor relationships and secured vital resources to advance social justice initiatives. Additionally, he served as an adjunct professor in the Sutton School of Social Sciences at Ouachita Baptist University, shaping the next generation of faith-driven leaders.

Jason earned his Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., where he focused on urban ministry, and was ordained at Calvary Baptist Church in D.C. Raised in Costa Rica as the child of Baptist missionaries, Jason’s work extends across borders, supporting faith initiatives throughout Latin America, including Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, and Panama. His bicultural background and global perspective have shaped his approach to fundraising, connecting donors to transformative projects that resonate deeply with their values.

Based in Arkansas, Jason is a proud father of four. He balances family life with a passion for travel, cheering on the Little Rock Rangers, competing with the Little Rock Table Tennis Club, and finding joy in singing and playing piano—channeling a bit of Elton John whenever he can.