Bob Smart

Bob is from a small town along Lake Michigan, Ogden Dunes, where he loved being the youngest of six children - playing sports, campfires on the beach, sailing during sunsets, and hanging with friends. While attending Purdue University, life’s clouds grew darker, and his longings for God intensified. Bob fell on his knees in repentance and put his trust in Jesus Christ during his last year of college. Soon after, God provided a godly and beautiful wife, Karen, who shared a heart for loving Christ, raising a family, and serving in ministry. Sensing a profound call to cultivate Gospel transformation and pray for spiritual awakenings, Bob served on college campuses and entered a seminary that taught God’s grace and outreach to contemporary culture. Bob brings a wealth of experience to the Campus Outreach SERVE team. He has been the pastor of the Campus Outreach hub church in Illinois, and he's earned a Ph.D. on Jonathan Edwards. He is gifted in appropriating the Gospel into life through spiritual formation, which keeps him active in speaking at conferences, mission trips, and seminaries. Bob and Karen have five children, and they have been further blessed with nineteen grandchildren.