Kristen Smeltzer
Kristen Smeltzer, in her own words, is “an ordinary girl with an extravagant God.” She holds a B.A. from Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan. Kristen’s college nickname was “Cruise Director,” because of her great passion. If she believes in something, she tends to be contagious. She wants everyone to come along for the ride, and many often do.
Kristen has walked with the Lord for over 45 years. In years past, she served on short-term missions with YWAM and also once served as a youth pastor. Kristen met and married her husband, Richard, in 1990. Before having children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. While raising her three sons as a stay-at-home mom, Kristen had 3,000 women under her in a successful direct sales company and was chosen to train the company’s top 50 leaders at their yearly convention.
Today Kristen and Richard have three grown sons, one “daughter-in-love,” and two beautiful grandchildren. They live near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Kristen is an author and a speaker who has led Bible studies and conducted seminars. She guest speaks at churches, retreat centers, conferences, ministry fundraisers, and book club events. As an avid learner, she also graduated from a ministry school in 2023.
Over the years, Kristen has continuously chosen to step out of her comfort zone and jump headlong into unknown territories—to bring hope to the hopeless and God-given identity to His people. Throughout her journey, and especially through a painfully dark season involving one of her sons, God gave Kristen beautiful insights into His Word and character. Out of that season, Kristen’s book (1st Edition) was birthed: “WHO DO YOU SAY I AM? Overcoming the Spirit of Identity Theft.” (Available on Amazon.)
Kristen’s message will open eyes to the true nature of God and inspire hearers to engage afresh with the Lover of their souls.
Quick BIO & Fun Facts
Grew up: Michigan
College: Spring Arbor University, Elementary Education & Youth Ministry
Work History: Elementary School Teacher, National Director of a Direct Sales Company
Other Early Jobs: Youth Pastor, Protective Services Preschool Assistant Teacher, College Admissions Intern
Favorite things:
My Beautiful Family
Deep Friendships
Quality Time with Family & Friends
Meaningful Conversations
Desserts
What I call, “God Adventures!”
Most Influential/Memorable Books Read:
The Bible
When Heaven Invades Earth, by Bill Johnson
Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis
Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers
Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret, Hudson Taylor
Places I’ve Lived:
Michigan
Honolulu, Hawaii
Philippines
Los Angeles, CA
San Diego, CA
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Hobbies:
Embroidery (Embraced my “inner grandma” & took it up in 2023.)
10 Random Facts and/or Favorite Memories:
I took 9 years of tap & ballet and went on to be on my college basketball halftime dance team.
Right out of college, I did a YWAM DTS in Honolulu and the Philippines with some incredible people. We ministered in places like the Balut Garbage dump, where 10,000 people lived in coverings made of scrap wood and cardboard. I signed autographs for kids who swarmed me with scraps of paper, thinking I was Amy Grant. (They couldn’t understand English, so they thought I was being rude by saying no, so I was told to sign them.) We also served in a 3rd-degree malnourished Day Care. While there, I contracted lice and amebic dysentery…Fun, fun! Three local Filipino girls took care of me. They are a beautiful people!
I’ve floated the Mendenhall River in Alaska and have taken helicopter rides both in Hawaii and over the Grand Canyon.
I had a son and 13 months later had premature identical twins!
I’ve had breakfast with Mozambique missionary and author, Heidi Baker, and her husband Rolland. My husband and I had a private lunch with Bill Johnson. And William Paul Young, author of “The Shack,” came to our house for dinner.
My sister and I once had a conversation with Jay Leno about Michigan. Seemed like a nice guy!
My husband and I were one of 7 couples sent out to plant a church in San Diego.
Harald Bredesen and Pat Robertson prayed over me on the phone from Tel Aviv, Israel when I was ill.
My husband and I hosted weekly homegroups in our home for a combined 10 years. At our peak, we had 50 people from 9 different churches in our home, in one night.
My husband and I have had the joy and honor of hosting numerous people in our home. It has been one of the joys of my life to offer hospitality to those in ministry and those who are often in the lime light, without much down time to simply be loved and ministered to, themselves.
AND…I’ve been witness to—and the recipient of—miracles.
