Black Christian Couple Makes Global Impact On Social Media

Josiah and Kristin Smith consider their marriage their ministry. As a Christian married couple in Hollywood, they walk in their purpose. PHOTO PROVIDED BY AILEEN BEDEAU
Josiah and Kristin Smith consider their marriage their ministry. As a Christian married couple in Hollywood, they walk in their purpose. PHOTO PROVIDED BY AILEEN BEDEAU

Black Christian Couple Makes Global Impact On Social Media

By Tia Carol Jones

Josiah and Kristin Smith are a married couple, living in California, who are navigating the entertainment industry as Christians. God has opened a lot of doors for them. Kristin reports on sports and entertainment news for CBS2 in Los Angeles and Josiah has found success on social media and online with his clean comedy.

The Smiths are part of the City of Angels International Christian Church, where they lead the Arts, Sports and Media Ministry. They host a Bible Talk each week. They invite different artists and creatives to it. Josiah described being a married Christian in Hollywood as very interesting.

“You really have to be about your purpose and be willing to say no to things if it’s going to compromise what you believe and what you stand in,” he said.

Kristin believes their marriage is their ministry. It is interesting being a married Christian couple in Hollywood, but it is also fun for her. She believes God has given both of them talents, to bring Him glory, and they are walking and living in their purpose, and enjoying the ride along the way.

Josiah and Kristin’s faith informs the roles and projects they take on. Years ago, Josiah was featured on a role on a TV show that didn’t align with his beliefs. It was embarrassing for him because it wasn’t the brand he was trying to put out there. From that point on, he decided he was going to be willing to say no to gigs that might compromise his beliefs.

They are careful not only with the roles and projects, but the partnerships they have. Josiah turned down a partnership with a company because it didn’t align with his beliefs. They believe saying no to opportunities that aren’t aligned with their beliefs opens them up for more opportunities that are aligned with their beliefs.

“I have to be very careful and not be afraid. I have to be bold enough and realize that my why is greater than success in this industry. Success in this industry does not drive me, my relationship with God drives me, and bringing Him glory drives me,” Kristin said.

It is very easy for Kristin to say no because she is in touch with her why. It means that she has changed scripts, she will not swear on TV, she won’t talk about certain topics on air. She has boundaries that she will not compromise. She has even stopped a production to change scripts. She has had to say no and not be afraid to go against the grain.

Josiah has been in the industry since childhood, doing TV shows and commercials. He has been in California for 11 years. He started doing background work, then started getting speaking roles. His social media platform has been growing since the pandemic with his clean comedy, which let him know there was a lane for it.
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Kristin wanted to be a news anchor since she was 8 years old. She has been on the air since 2005. It was a dream that came true. She has been able to have a good career in the last 17 years. She has hosted TV news shows throughout the country.

The Smiths look at their platforms as a way to make God’s name great. They view the platforms as opportunities to connect with other people in the industry. They try to stay engaged with people with their ministry. They consider themselves the chaplain of the entertainment industry, being open to helping anyone who wants to get to know God more.

During the pandemic, the Smiths noticed more people engaging them through the weekly bible talks. They have received countless messages from people who see them as people they can connect with in hard times.

“When your brand really is your lifestyle, people notice.  I think regardless of what we are going through, people can see our life and they see something different,” Kristin said.

While they have gone back to hosting the Bible Talk in person, they want to continue to reach people globally through their online platforms. What they do is a labor of love, they feel as they really do have the most important job in the world, to help people get to know God.

You can follow the Smiths on Instagram @ams.losangeles. You can follow Josiah Smith at officialjosiahsmith and Kristin Smith at kristinsmithtv.

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