Amos SmithAmos Smith lived his first ten years overseas and finished his growing up years in Virginia. He has lived in Indonesia, Bolivia, Uganda, India, and has traveled the world since. Smith earned a BA in Comparative Religion from The University of Califoria at Santa Cruz in 1993, an MDiv from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley in 1998, and a DMin from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2008. He is a lifelong student of three streams: Progressive Christianity, Contemplative Christianity, and Quaker Mysticism. Smith began his interest in religion when serving as an acolyte and crucifer at Saint George's Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA. During college days, Smith became a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Friends' silent meetings for worship were Smith's introduction to Centering Prayer and Christian Mysticism. In 1999, Amos began his career as an ordained minister in Montana at the base of The Beartooth Mountains. Smith has since served as an ordained minister for eighteen years in Washington, Oregon, and Arizona. Smith is a family man, hiker, amateur musician, seasoned Centering Prayer practitioner, retreat leader, and Contemplative Christian writer. His writing has been published in various newspapers and magazines including The Billings Gazette, The Spokesman Review, Friends Journal: Quaker Thought and Life Today, Chicago Seminary Press, Wipf & Stock Publishers, and Paraclete Press. Amos and his family live in Tucson, AZ. Read More Read Less