After 32 years of faithful service to the ministry of AFA, Senior Vice President Buddy Smith formally retired in April.
Smith spoke with The Stand about his introduction to AFA, his initial interactions with founder Don Wildmon, his time with the ministry, and his plans for continued service with AFA.
Smith was aware of the work of AFA long before he became, first, a board member and then an employee.
Smith and Wildmon were both United Methodist pastors serving in the same conference in North Mississippi.
“I knew him in that regard, and I also knew of his work with the National Federation for Decency [now AFA],” Smith explained. “In the 1980s, I was a pastor serving in the Mississippi Delta. I began to learn about the issues through AFA Journal [now The Stand].”
Tested by Brother Don
During that pastorate, Smith said a church member informed him about a video store that peddled pornography and was located near the church. She shared her concerns hoping that Smith would do something about the problem.
Smith talked to the video store manager but was quickly shown the door. Back at his office, frustrated, Smith wondered what could be done.
“Brother Don and the AFA Journal came to mind,” Smith recalled. “I knew about the danger of porn from Brother Don and the Journal, so I called him, explained the situation, and asked if there was anything I could do.”
In typical Brother Don fashion, Wildmon responded, “Yeah, there’s something you can do. But you won’t do it.”
Taken aback, Smith asked, “So, Don, are you not going to tell me what to do unless I agree to do it?”
“That’s basically it,” Wildmon said. “Buddy, I’m busy. I’ve got work to do. I don’t want to waste my time or your time.”
Smith agreed to take action, and Wildmon gave him what seemed to be radical instructions. Smith was to rent one of the X-rated tapes, show the filth to the local police chief, then pressure him to do something about it.
As a pastor in the community, Smith knew he needed to maintain a good reputation and began offering reasons he did not think Wildmon’s plan was a good idea.
“I knew you wouldn’t do it,” Wildmon said. “I knew you wouldn’t.”
But Smith did do it, thus beginning a contentious battle which ultimately resulted in the chain of video stores being forced to close its “backrooms” where the objectionable content was being sold.
A few months later, Wildmon called Smith to inform him there was a vacancy on AFA’s board of directors, and he wanted him to fill the spot.
“I said, ‘Count me in,’” Smith recalled. “That’s kind of how it all started.”
From the board to the battle
Smith served on the board for the next six years. During that time he began to understand and appreciate the mission of AFA more. Consequently, he began to feel a call from the Lord to be more involved in the ministry.
Through much prayer, contemplation, and some humorous conversations with Wildmon, Smith eventually moved from board member to staff member.
Smith was tasked with overseeing around 500 local volunteer chapters of Christians, spread across every state, operating under the banner of AFA. His job was to direct the volunteers on how to fight the darkness in the culture, which was primarily pornography at the time.
Smith served in other roles as well, even hosting a live, four-hour Sunday evening praise-and-worship show on American Family Radio (AFR).
Eventually, however, Smith was moved into important leadership roles where he helped expand the reach of the ministry while keeping the focus on AFA’s mission: “to inform, equip, and activate individuals and families to transform American culture and to give aid to the church, here and abroad, in its calling to fulfill the Great Commission.”
That mission was important to Smith. He often reminded AFA employees of that goal and how it should undergird everything the ministry endeavored to do.
“Buddy always had a real understanding of AFA’s mission and was also gifted with great wisdom,” said Ed Vitagliano, AFA executive vice president. “Buddy could see how new ideas and even new technologies could aid in the fulfillment of that mission, while not losing sight of our core values along the way.”
Handing off the torch
Smith’s decision to retire was not because he felt like he had nothing left to offer. Instead, because of his confidence in the next generation of leadership at AFA, he felt it was time to pass the torch.
“God has raised up leadership here that’s got more energy. They’re younger, they’ve got the vision, and things are good,” Smith said.
Smith discussed how organizations can experience mission drift under subsequent generations of leadership.
“I don’t see that happening here,” Smith said proudly. “Tim could have easily turned this ministry into a cruise ship rather than a battleship, but he won’t, because thankfully, he understands the fight we are in.
“AFA is in the fight for the long haul,” Smith said. “I think the best is yet to come.”
Smith’s future with AFA
Though “retired,” Smith is not ready to quit serving.
When he announced his plans to retire, AFA President Tim Wildmon asked, “Well, you just want to go home?”
That was not Smith’s goal, so he was overjoyed when Wildmon said, “I know you still have a lot to offer, and we could sure use your help.” Smith happily agreed to serve in this new capacity.
“My job is different now that I’m not involved in the everyday management role,” Smith explained. “But thankfully, I have the opportunity to look at the big picture and offer input on things we can do to strengthen the mission.”
Smith continues to lead a monthly intercessory prayer meeting on campus, is working closely with American Family Studios on Culture Warrior (an upcoming documentary about the late Don Wildmon), and is still engaging supporters and donors by keeping them informed about AFA’s efforts.
“Buddy has been an inspiration to us here at AFA, and I’m thankful for his leadership and dedicated service to the ministry for the past 32 years,” Wildmon said. “I’m also grateful he decided to stick around and help us in this fight.”
“I’m still adjusting and enjoying the new role,” Smith said. “It’s different, but it’s good, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to contribute a little longer.”
(Digital Editor's Note: This article was published first in the July 2024 print edition of The Stand. Click HERE for a free six-month subscription to The Stand magazine.)
