Earl was born and reared in Stockton California. The cycle of events in Earl’s life came to a head in 1975 when he was shot 6 times while living the life of a small time gangster. Although expected to die, Earl’s father’s faith, prayers and love seemed to bring him through. The words of his father have motivated him, since that event, “you are a rebel, but you are God’s rebel, and He is going to use you to His glory.”

In 1983, at the age of 27, Earl became the youngest person ever hired as a Protestant Chaplain by the California Department of Corrections.

In 1989, after meeting with Mrs. Jo Chapman and the Kairos (God’s Special Time) Prison Ministry leadership, Earl and his wife discovered there was an absence of a similar program for female family members of inmates. Earl and Angel organized a committee and designed a three-day retreat for female family members of incarcerated males. This program is now called “Kairos Outside” and it is now recognized nationally as well as internationally.

In August of 1990, after discussions with Bishop Frank Costantino, Chaplain Ray Hoekstra and Jack “Murf the Surf” Murphy, a reunion of “Living Epistles” was held. These former inmates were called together from across the United States to represent the saving power of Christ in the institutions of our nation. The “San Quentin Homecoming” was the first reunion of its kind in the nation. This reunion has been used as a model across the nation to encourage correctional institutions to use the resources of “post crime achievers.”

On April 21, 1992, Earl served as the Lead Chaplain/ Spiritual Advisor to Robert Alton Harris. Robert was the first person executed in California since 1976. Being directly involved in the years, months and days leading up to the execution, Earl came away with some profound thoughts on the plight of the condemned; the need for ministry to the family members of the victims; and the need for pre and post spiritual counseling for the staff members assigned the task of carrying out the execution.

In May of 1992, the San Quentin chapel choir along with correctional staff members recorded “He’s All I Need.” This was the first recording in the history of state or federal institutions to mix staff and inmates together in a ministry project. This project served as an example of what individuals who are seemingly at sociological odds with one another can do when the presence of Christ is embraced. This project was funded through a grant from the REX Foundation, and produced by Mickey Hart.

In 1995, in response to the number of children represented by incarcerated males, and the alarming number of children who entered the correctional system, following in the footsteps of their fathers, “Project I.M.P.A.C.T.” (Incarcerated Men Putting Away Childish Things) was organized. This is a Fatherhood Enrichment and Male Accountability program. The goal of this program is to break the cycle of incarceration present in the lives of males. Realizing that incarceration is more than being confined in man made facilities, IMPACT’s aim is to break the bond of spiritual, emotional, sociological, environmental and generational incarceration and bring release to these areas of confinement, by sharing principles of Accountability, Integrity and Responsibility (A.I.R.).

In 1999, Earl and Angel founded “Project AVARY” (Alternative Ventures for At Risk Youth). This program is designed to give children of inmates an opportunity to leave their communities and unite with other children facing similar challenges. This program has evolved to a year round program, providing the skill set necessary for the children to break the cycle of generational confinement, and to build on their unlimited potential.

In August of 2000, Chaplain Smith was recognized as the “National Correctional Chaplain of the Year.”

Earl currently serves as the Team Pastor for the Golden State Warriors and the San Francisco 49ers’. From 1998 to 2005 Earl was the Chapel Leader for the San Francisco Giants.

The ministry of Earl Smith is known across the nation. Earl has appeared on numerous broadcasts, including HBO, CNN, THE CBS Morning News, The 700 Club, Trinity Broadcasting Network, 100 Huntley Street, The Discovery Channel and The History Channel. Earl has been featured in such publications as People’s Weekly, Ministry Today, Newsweek, Ebony, Christianity Today, Guidepost, The African Americans and Time. Earl has received two “Angel” awards for excellence in media.

Earl married Angel Michelle Anderson in 1977 and to this union four children and one granddaughter have been added:

Ebony Michelle, Earl Anthony, Jr., Tamara Rene, Franklin James Murriel; and granddaughter, Jennisys Rene Smith.