Update on Warren B. Smith

As many of you know, Lighthouse Trails author and co-laborer in ministry, Warren B. Smith, went through some major trials in 2016 and 2017 when his home was severely damaged and family pets were lost in a fire in central California, and he also suffered a heart attack. These things occurred during the time period that authors and defenders of the faith Ray Yungen and Caryl Matrisciana were ill and both passed away. Needless to say, it was an extremely hard time, especially for Warren and his wife Joy – losing their home and two close friends and co-workers, and Warren nearly losing his own life.

Today, Warren has recovered from his health issues, and their home has been finally renovated. What we at Lighthouse Trails find totally amazing is that through this almost surreal time for Warren and Joy, they have never given up on serving the Lord and remaining active in ministry. In fact, Warren has probably written some of his most powerful material in the last two years. Through this, we have seen God’s ongoing love, faithfulness, and provision for the Smiths. And to see how God has given them the strength and fortitude to keep pressing on through this time of extreme trials is a testimony to God’s promises in His Word that He will not leave us nor forsake us and that in our weaknesses, His strength prevails.

The reason we are writing this update is because of our deep regard for Warren and our belief in the value of his writing ministry. As most of you know, Warren came out of the New Age and became a Christian in 1984. After his conversion, he continued his work, with his master’s degree, in social work and hospice care. In 1992, he wrote his biography The Light That Was Dark: From the New Age to Amazing Grace. The release of that book launched Warren into ministry where he split his time between warning about the New Age and working as a social worker on the West Coast. In 2001, he felt the call from God to leave his secular job and enter full-time ministry at which time he wrote Reinventing Jesus Christ (later to be titled False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care?). And Warren has continued to write what we consider some of the most important materials for the church today.

With that said, being in full-time ministry without the financial backing of a large organization is truly a walk of faith and can at times test that faith greatly. While Warren does not complain about this calling and is a man of faith, we know here at Lighthouse Trails because of our close relationship with him that the last few years have been especially difficult financially as interest in discernment issues in the church at large seems to decline rather than grow (and with so much free material online, many people do not support ministries like ours or Warren’s through purchasing material). We have often considered these things and have come to realize that many of our readers may think that because an author has several books and booklets that he or she must make a lot of money, but that is just not the case. It is very difficult to “make a lot of money” as either a publisher or an author. There just isn’t a high profit margin – it’s tough enough to be a publisher, but an author makes even less unless there is a “best seller,” which doesn’t usually happen with discernment-type materials.

We have explained this situation, particularly about Warren Smith, because we think you should know what is happening. We have never been a ministry that has said if you don’t support us, we can’t go on. We don’t say that because we know our going on (or in this case Warren going on) is dependent on God’s provision and plans (although He certainly does use people to fulfill many of His plans). So please do not think that we are saying that if you don’t respond to this letter that Warren will have to quit ministry. He has proven himself to be a man who does not quit. But it does sadden us to see how much he has suffered (physically, financially, etc.), and yet he keeps going, determined to help others in these spiritually perilous times.

We have come alongside Warren in various ways that we can, but as a relatively small ministry, we ourselves are very limited. If you feel so inclined to make Warren’s writing ministry a part of your regular giving (or occasional giving), we thank you. If that giving can only be in the way of prayer (really the most important way to give), we thank you for that as well. Regardless of your response, if any, we do hope you will understand our writing this and that we do not mean to offend or upset anyone but felt compelled to share our hearts with you in this matter. For information about Warren, including contact information, materials and articles available, and how to donate, you may visit his website at: www.warrenbsmith.com. And we thank you for your continued interest in Lighthouse Trails and the authors we represent.

The Editors at Lighthouse Trails