Fred Smith, for decades a behind-the-scenes adviser to ministry leaders, a mentor to business executives, and a leadership expert, died Friday, August 17. Smith had been hospitalized on many times over the last several years due to complications from dialysis. Smith's fourth book, Breakfast with Fred, is scheduled to be released next month.

He was a master of nuance, said Marshall Shelley, editor of Leadership Journal, where Smith served as a consulting editor and columnist. His insight in business and leadership provided guidance for pastors and ministries for 50 years.

In the mid-1970s, Smith was chairman of the board of Youth for Christ. He was also active in leadership at Christianity Today International. Through his friendship with Maxey Jarman, who was president of Genesco, the largest apparel company in the world at the time, Smith was asked to help the financially struggling Christianity Today. His leadership continued for 25 years as he served on the board of Christianity Today ...

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