I Hit Rock bottom, Then This Happened | Greg Laurie & Michael W. Smith
Many of us have experienced times in our lives when we feel like we have hit rock bottom. For Christian musician Michael W. Smith, that low point became a turning point toward a life of faith, purpose, and redemption. In a candid conversation with Pastor Greg Laurie, Michael W. Smith shares the major moments that shaped his life, the powerful lessons he learned from his father, his journey through temptation, how God redirected his path, and his continuing mission to connect with and inspire younger generations. Their discussion dives deep into topics such as influence, accountability, legacy, the heart of worship, and what it truly means to follow Jesus Christ.
From Musical Beginnings to a Calling
Michael W. Smith’s love affair with music began in his youth. As a young teenager, he was drawn to pop icons like Elton John and The Beatles, dreaming of playing baseball but finding himself irresistibly pulled back to songwriting. A pivotal discovery occurred at age 13, when he wandered into a local bookstore searching for Beatles music and found a Christian album with artists singing about Jesus. That album was the “Everlasting Living Jesus Music Concert,” an early hallmark of the Jesus movement that had found its way to Kenova, West Virginia—his hometown. For young Michael, the album’s cover, showing long-haired musicians celebrating Christ, sparked a realization: perhaps music could be both creative and expressive of faith.
By fifteen, Michael W. Smith was convinced God was calling him into music. Growing up in a Christian home with parents who lived out their faith, he experienced a genuine encounter with Christ at ten, prompting him to walk down the aisle at church and make a public commitment. His father, Paul, became a strong role model, demonstrating steadfast love and patience through every season.
The Prodigal Chapter: Struggles, Temptation, and Returning Home
No faith journey is a straight line. Michael openly shares how, despite his Christian upbringing and early fire for the gospel, he lost his way as a teen. When his older friends departed for college, leaving him without a spiritual support team, he drifted toward the wrong crowd. Tempted to “play with fire,” he experimented with drugs and lived a double life. The enemy, he says, is a deceiver, pulling him further from his calling and pushing him dangerously close to tragedy.
At nineteen, after a near-fatal overdose, Michael experienced severe depression, anxiety, and what he described as a nervous breakdown. In that darkest moment, lying on his apartment floor in Nashville, he felt God’s presence wrap around him like an embrace, whispering, “It’s going to be okay.” From that encounter, his life took a new direction—marked by a profound sense of God’s grace and the power of prayer, especially from his steadfast, loving parents who never gave up on him despite knowing he was struggling.
Restoration and Mission: Music as Ministry
With a new lease on life, Michael W. Smith returned to his first love: music, but this time devoted to glorifying God. He became renowned not just for his creative talent—writing award-winning songs and selling millions of albums—but for the authenticity of his spiritual walk. Rather than chasing fame, Michael redirected his focus to serving God with his gifts and mentoring those coming after him.
Michael’s career flourished as a songwriter, session musician, and eventually as a solo artist. Connections with other major Christian artists—like Amy Grant—helped bolster his career, and Michael, in turn, became an encourager and mentor to younger musicians and bands such as Jars of Clay, Matt Maher, and Jordan Smith. He takes seriously his calling to “father” a new generation, guiding them on how to maintain integrity, humility, and faithfulness amid the distractions of the music industry.
Influence, Humility, and Legacy
Despite tremendous success—multiple Grammy Awards, Dove Awards, and more than thirty number-one Christian radio hits—Michael is quick to point away from himself, stressing the importance of humility and deflecting glory to God. He learned from spiritual mentors and friends, including his own father and evangelist Billy Graham, that authenticity, servant-heartedness, and a Kingdom-first mindset are the marks of true greatness.
Michael’s friendship with Billy Graham left a lasting impression on him. He fondly recalls how the legendary evangelist treated everyone with kindness and respect, never seeking celebrity status. Billy’s concern was always that Jesus Christ be made known. These lessons reminded Michael to avoid being trapped by success or the trappings of Christian celebrity.
The Role of Community and Accountability
For Michael, staying grounded in faith required intentional choices: marrying a woman of deep faith, maintaining long-term mentorship with spiritual fathers, and investing in authentic friendships and church community. He has surrounded himself with people who will speak truth into his life, pray with him, and help him remain centered on what matters most. His wife remains a daily inspiration, prioritizing Scripture and prayer every morning—a habit that has kept their marriage vibrant for over 45 years. Michael stresses that who we choose to surround ourselves with will impact the trajectory of our lives and our ability to fulfill God’s calling.
Rocketown: Building Bridges for the Next Generation
One of Michael W. Smith’s greatest joy and enduring legacies is Rocketown, a youth center in Nashville that he launched after feeling a clear prompting from God. Created as a welcoming space for teens, especially those struggling or at risk, Rocketown provides after-school programs, a skate park, dance and music studios, and a supportive environment for kids from all backgrounds. Michael explains that the heart of Rocketown isn’t just activities or programs, but genuine love and intentional relationship-building. Each staff member learns every child’s story, and each young person is treated with the dignity and care that reflects the love of Christ.
The effects have been profound. Week after week, Michael hears testimonies from youths who have found hope, avoided tragedy, or come to faith because of Rocketown. He urges all Christians, especially those in positions of influence
