John J. Smithbaker is an author, speaker, and founder of Fathers in the Field. His passion and focus are to help men recapture their divinely assigned roles of Pastor, Provider and Protector in the home, as well as in the Church. Standing in the gap for the fatherless and challenging men to defend those under their care is a call on his life from the Heavenly Father. As a gifted leader, Smithbaker combines his personal experience and straightforward style to connect with men impacted by the wounds of fatherlessness, helping them recognize their God-given, mission-oriented purpose in life. Before entering full-time ministry, Smithbaker served for 15 years as president and CEO of Brunton Outdoor Group, a leading manufacturer of outdoor adventure products. In 2005, Smithbaker launched the Fathers in the Field ministry to share God’s abiding love with fatherless boys through mentorship with godly men in their local church. His desire is to be a catalyst for the Kingdom by “defending the cause of the fatherless,” pointing others to the Heavenly Father’s eternal power, forgiveness and faithfulness. Smithbaker is the author of “Man Enough to Forgive: Healing the Wounds of Fatherhood Abandonment” and “The Great American Rescue Mission: Reaching and Healing the Fatherless,” which clearly makes the connection between the destruction of families, the eroding roles of men in the home, and the ills of American culture – and charts a path to restoration by coming alongside the wounded fatherlessness across the country. He is happily married to his wife, Tracey, and together they have three adult children.