August 23, 2026

Hello my dear friend and partner!

I pray that this finds you and yours doing well and living in the abundant grace, goodness, and presence of Jesus! I give God thanks for your partnership in prayer, finances, and even just for your genuine interest in what He has called me to do. Truly, YOU are a blessing!

I’m writing this specifically for those who are monthly financial partners, but also for those who have supported with occasional or one-time gifts, and/or those who have shown a significant partnership in prayer. I’m communicating to you today something that I will share to a broader audience in the near future, but for now, in a very real sense, you are “the first to know” about this other than my family and those directly involved.

As I have communicated in different ways over the past year, it has become increasingly difficult to stay scheduled enough for this ministry to be my primary source of income. In light of that, I have spent much time in prayer, asking God to clarify my calling and the way He would have me serve in His Kingdom. And while I love ministering in the Word and serving in other ways, I am more convinced than ever that His primary assignment for me is STILL “to sing His praise to the ends of the earth.” In fact, even as I’ve considered other types of ministry and/or income streams, I have had both dreams and visions in recent months where the Lord “appeared” to me saying, “Who told you that you could stop doing what I called you to do?” I’ve also received many words from ministry leaders that indicated that God was not done with my singing ministry.

Of course, continuing in my calling is not necessarily the same thing as “making a living,” so I have also been seeking His wisdom about how to provide for my family. I have considered nearly everything I can think of - business ventures, jobs, ministry positions at churches, etc. I have even spent quite a bit of time as a dasher for DoorDash just to help with cashflow. I’m sure you can relate to similar seasons in your life.

Toward the end of July I was approached by a musical group asking if I would consider joining their team. Very importantly, they only travel part time so I could also continue my own current ministry, which is exactly what I have prayed for and exactly what they want me to do. 

The group, Carolina The Band, is led by a pastor in NC. They minister/sing/perform in an entirely different arena than I have ever been in. While they do some ministry in churches, primarily they perform at fairs, rodeos, college campuses, and performing arts centers. They are very bold about their faith in Jesus, but they are singing primarily to audiences comprised largely of those would not come to a church. Musically they do a mix of family-friendly entertainment and Gospel-centric music in a progressive/pop country (think Rascal Flatts) as well as traditional country and gospel music style. (By the way, the group website is being updated so you won’t get a lot of current information for a few weeks yet.)

Now, I realize that some of you may be saying, “I just don’t think I can see Shannon doing COUNTRY music!” Well, I can understand that and at first, I questioned it myself. I spent a few days in prayer, seeking the wisdom of God and also personal counsel. Kathryn and I were reminded that we received a word from the Lord a number of years ago through a genuine prophet in the body of Christ saying that I would one day sing with “a country group” in an entirely new arena and that I might even question if it was from God because it was such a different approach to ministry than I have ever done before. It is definitely outside of my comfort zone from both a musical and ministry perspective, but both Kathryn and I have a strong sense of peace and even excitement. We truly believe this is from the Lord. We sense that it will open a lot of new doors and stretch me in ways that are needed for the Lord’s purposes. One of the things I have sensed the Holy Spirit saying is, “You will need MORE of My anointing when you minister/entertain/serve in these new venues than in the churches, not less!”

The group is currently doing a new recording and I can honestly say that I LOVE the new songs and musical direction in which we are headed!

So . . . there you have it. The Lord has answered our prayers in a way that allows me to continue focusing on my musical calling and expand the reach of this ministry while at the same time providing the additional income stream that both the ministry and my family need in this season.

I want to be very clear that Shannon Smith Music & Ministries is NOT ending! In fact, it is EXPANDING through this new partnership. Also, while singing with Carolina The Band will provide another income stream, it is part time and my current ministry revenue needs to remain steady and even grow. I sincerely need your partnership in both prayer and finances just as much or more than ever! Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me any time.

Thank you from the depths of my heart for your continued partnership! I pray for you daily and I love that you are part of this team. I really do believe that I’m just getting started with what God has called me to do. 

The best is yet to come!

Shannon