Brother Jed

being preached to by an Arab in Morocco.

Biography

Brother Jed draws from many experiences in his early life while preaching. His self-described lifestyle of "drunkenness, dissipation and debauchery" began while he was a freshman in high school. Older friends exposed him to alcohol, and drunkenness became a regular part of life every week. Smock began attending Indiana University in 1960, studying social studies and English, where he pledged Delta Upsilon Fraternity. By his second year, he established himself as the heaviest drinker in the fraternity. Smock states in his autobiography that, despite his lifestyle, he graduated near the top of his class.

The Campus Ministry

Brother Jed and his wife Cynthia D. Lasseter Smock (a.k.a. “Sister Cindy” [ [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] , Iowa State Daily] ) use a distinctive preaching style, termed "confrontational evangelism" in the subtitle of his autobiography, "Who Will Rise Up?" This controversial variant of evangelism [ [http://media.www.statehornet.com/media/storage/paper1146/news/2003/03/26/News/College.Crusader.Condemns.Students-2421794.shtml College crusader condemns students] , "The State Hornet"] is shared by many street-preachers, campus pastors and other evangelicals, who hope that a spiritual rebuke will force sinners to repent. [ [http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2005/9/9/students-confront-aggressive-preachers/ Students confront aggressive preachers] , The Maneater] Brother Jed often uses 'humor' mixed in with his confrontational evangelism, as heard at the University of Arizona, "I don't know how the whorehouses in this town stay open — all of you sorority girls are giving it away for free!" He often ventures into simple abuse, for example, asking a black student wearing dreadlocks :"Who are you, Bob Marley?"; [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoEcE5AKZSQ Youtube clip] ] on another occasion, he said "the only thing Mexicans contribute to society is burritos, and Jewish people are only good at making bagels and running banks." [http://wc.arizona.edu/papers/98/101/01_2.html Evangelist, students debate] , Arizona Daily Wildcat] He often shouts, "A masturbator today is a homosexual tomorrow." His assistants carry signs declaring that feminists, liberals and those who listen to rock and roll are destined for Hell, along with homosexuals, fornicators and masturbators. As a result of his aggressive and confrontational style of preaching, Brother Jed is frequently mocked and accused of intolerance. [cite news |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2001/oct/05/evangelist-doesnt-deserve-derision/ |title=Evangelist doesn't deserve derision |last=Parcells |first=Laura |date=2001-10-05 |work=Cavalier Daily] He and Cindy have five daughters, all of whom have accompanied them on their travels and appearances on college campuses. [ [http://www.colleges.com/Umagazine/articles.taf?category=199902&article=U.9902.LBROTHERJED A Man Named Jed] , "U Magazine"]

They are members of the United Methodist Church. However their actions, views, and theology are not indicative of the Methodist Church. [ [http://www.houstonianonline.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=4c5156bc-6199-4c69-a9db-90f9cc24764c Traveling preacher causes uproar at SHSU] , Houstonian]

Political consultant Paul Begala received a pocket copy of the New Testament from Brother Jed on the University of Texas at Austin campus in 1979 that he says he keeps with him at all times. While an advisor to Bill Clinton on his first presidential election campaign, he handed the book to Clinton with highlighted, to make a point about the ability of "sound bites" to communicate important policies. [Interview with Paul Begala on "The Colbert Report" episode #2012, originally aired January 26, 2006, Comedy Central. "See The Colbert Report episode guide."]

Smock's ministry has attracted a group of mock-devotees, calling themselves "Jed Heads".

ee also

*List of campus preachers

Notes

External links

* [http://www.brojed.org/ Brother Jed's official website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=TheCampusMinistryUSA / Brother Jed's official Video Library]
* [http://sniggle.net/jedhead.php The Brother Jed Phenomenon] - Brother Jed incorporated this op-ed from Cal Poly's "Mustang Daily" into his autobiographical book "Who Will Rise Up?"
* [http://host573.ipowerweb.com/%7Enatch22c/speakerscirclevideos.htm Mizzou Videos] - Videos of Jed preaching on the University of Missouri's campus.
* [http://www.michelleshocked.com/lyrics_campus_crusade.htm Lyrics of Michelle Shocked's song "Campus Crusade"]
* [http://www.glimbo.9cy.com/derivations.htm#campus Michelle Shocked's February 24, 1987 introduction to "Campus Crusade"]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNWN6ueeKG4&NR Famous Atheist, Kevin 'CapnOAwesome' from YouTube Interviews Brother Jed Smock.]
* [http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2007/08/28/brother-jed-moves-beyond-speakers-circle/ Debate in Columbia, Missouri.]