Hello Everyone, my name is Tristin Smith, and I am the Pastor here at First United Methodist Church in Ferris, Texas. 

I am 26 years old and from Nacogdoches, Texas. To tell you a little bit about myself, I was born in Iowa and then immediately moved down to Texas. After moving to Texas, I was baptized in the United Methodist Church and grew steadily in my faith. 

     When I was 11, we moved to Nebraska, where I would grow up in the church. I spent 12 years in Nebraska serving my church, working for various farmers and ranchers, working on my own cattle operation, raising multiple show animals, and serving in multiple organizations like FFA, 4-H, and my high school speech team. Also, during my 12 years in Nebraska, I attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where I got my Bachelor's in Criminal Justice. 

     After graduation, I made my way back to Texas to work in retail for a while. While I was doing that, I was also regularly attending church in Nacogdoches. This is where I realized my call to ministry and began my journey to becoming an ordained elder in the UMC.. After finding my call, I worked at my local United Methodist church as their youth director for a year before starting seminary at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. 

     After completing my first year of seminary and serving as our representative to the Student Senate,. I was selected by our District Superintendent, the Reverend Dr. Mary Spradlin, and have been appointed here by Bishop Ruben Saenz, Jr.