The First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Chandler, announced the installation of its new pastor on Jan. 21. Lori Brisco Smithey is the new leader of the church, which has been shepherded by numerous pastors since it was established in late 1891, according to a release.
Smithey is a Chandler native and was raised in the church. She said she is thankful that God called her to return home as the new pastor. She graduated from Chandler schools, then attended the University of Central Oklahoma where she received a bachelor’s in Music Performance. The pastor then attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she received a master’s. Following that, she held teaching positions in several places, including Lake Charles, Louisiana, before returning to Chandler.
In early 2021, Smithey became the music director at the church before being named associate pastor. She is married to Bret Smithey, who owns the jiu-jitsu school, and has three children - Jake, Eli and Annabelle.