Pastor Ron Smedley was born in Dallas Texas and has pastored churches in Mississippi, Iowa and Texas. He has been happily married to Kathy for 39 years. Ron and Kathy are the proud parents of four adult children, two grandchildren and another one expected in May. Ron is currently pastoring a church in Hopkins County Texas and has served the community most of his adult life in various capacities. He is a currently a trustee of his local school district and sit on boards of several non -profit ministries and agencies. He has been a minister for over 30 years and has also worked as a parole officer for the State of Texas and a caseworker for Child Protective Services. Because Pastor Smedley has been both a pastor, parole officer and a caseworker, he has a very distinctive and unique perspective on recovery. Having experience in both secular and faith treatment, has led to a perspective that brings a diverse and balanced approach. Not only is his experience unique, it is advantageous to Mission Recovery’s mission because he had the experience and training to take the successful processes of both worlds and use then to empower the faith community as well as likewise, address the system about the benefit, value and results of faith-based recovery. Out of this dual perspective, he has first-hand experience to see both the magnitude and pervasiveness of the problem in our nation, and the many facets of the problem.