Grammy Award winner Michael W. Smith’s The Way of the Father offers a deeply personal reflection on his father Paul Smith’s legacy and its profound effect on every area of his life. Through the life and lens of his earthly dad, the multi-platinum-selling Christian artist gives glimpses of a Father in Heaven that anyone can approach and experience.

Michael W. Smith, multi-platinum artist, celebrated songwriter, producer, best-selling author, and acclaimed actor, himself a father of five adult children and grandfather of 16, calls upon his humble experiences of growing up in a small West Virginia town to share his father’s story. Each chapter identifies a quality and characteristic of his dad that came out of an obedient and sacrificial life, committed to serving his Abba Father, including: 

• Finding truth in tragedy
• Loving unconditionally
• Persevering through pain
• Bringing righteousness to the world
• Influencing and inspiring generations
• Discovering identity and approval in Christ

Paul Smith was a familiar face in the crowd at Michael W. Smith’s concerts over the years. A kind and joyful man who would sing, dance, and worship to the singer’s countless number one hits, with his countenance beaming brighter than the spotlights on the stage, Paul would often introduce himself to those nearby and talk about how proud he was of his son. From the artist’s early days as a struggling musician in Nashville to his death in 2015 (the year his son’s album sales surpassed 15 million), Paul was always Michael’s biggest fan.

Michael shares how his dad inspired and encouraged him using biblical principles and virtues. Now, Michael passes on these same truths through stories, testimonies, origins of songs, and personal insights from his family life and 35-plus years of touring as a Christian artist. He hopes that by sharing his father’s legacy, listeners will come to find that no matter who our earthly parents have been in our lives, our Abba Father will never fail us.