BACKGROUND
Arnie & Betty Smith were born again in late 1973; in full-time ministry beginning in July, 1974. Their first ministry was working with Youth Services dealing with delinquent youth and their families. They took them into their home and counseled the families as well; working with the courts and juvenile detention centers in Orlando and Sanford, Florida. Arnie also worked with the 700 Club (CBN) in Orlando as a counselor and trainer of counselors, team leader and Bible teacher.
In 1976 God called them to Sebring, Florida where they started a full gospel church. They stayed in Sebring 3 years, during which time they also attended a ten-week intensive ministry training school. In early 1979, they were asked to head that school, at Christian Retreat, Bradenton, Florida.
From 1979-82 they administered and taught in that ministry training school, adding a correspondence school and a 40-week intensive pastoral training program as well. Students came from several countries and many have been full-time in ministry since their training. During that time Arnie was also responsible for approving credentials and assisting with ministry problems for Gospel Crusade Ministerial Fellowship. He established their system of area coordinators to assist with local ministers in their regions.
In 1983, after a time of traveling, they took over a church in Wisconsin started by one of their students who backslid. From then until 1990, they developed a Bible college, Christian school using the A.C.E. curriculum, a Pregnancy Help Center, and a gift shop in their church as well as radio and television programs locally and in Milwaukee. During that time many students were trained to serve God. The church, school and Pregnancy Help Center are still ministering.
From 1979 until 2006, Dr. Smith also ministered overseas each year, as often as 5 times a year. Nearly every year from 1983 to 2000 he took teams to Jamaica to minister and has often taken teams to the U.K., Trinidad and Africa as well. A major part of the Living Word ministry was focused upon missions: teaching, encouraging, and ministering in many nations, according to Matthew 24:14. Currently the Smiths are visiting quartet sings, and enjoying the ministry of others.
May 18, 2006 Arnie had two strokes just before opening the Milwaukee Ministers' Conference. He spent just over two weeks total in the hospital. Although the Lord has restored him about 90%, the ministry has taken a toll. Also, in late August 2008, Betty had an anurysm and has since gone to be with the Lord.
On Valentine's Day, 2009, with family and a few friends, Arnie re-married his first wife, Becky. They were married for 10 years, but got away from God and each other. 38 years later, after Betty's death, they came to realize God was drawing them together again. Becky had been divorced and saved for 15 years. They are residing at her home in Tennessee.
Beginning January, 2011, L.W.I. will no longer credential ministers or affiliate churches. By invitation, however, Arnie will still be available to minister occasionally.
MINISTRY HEADQUARTERS
Living Word International
57 Woodgate Ln.#102, Crossville, Tn. 38571 U.S.A.
Dr. Arnie & Becky SmithPh. (931) 456-1594
E-Mail: LIVWORD@livwordint.org