The Reverend Carl D. Smith, ordained as a minister  with the Evangelical Church Alliance, struggled through years of addiction, incarceration and homelessness as a young man. A California boy who enlisted in the Navy in his teens, Carl became addicted to heroin while he was stationed in Guam. Though addiction shattered his early life, and many felt he had no hope or future, in 1991 Carl found his way into a Teen Challenge center where he discovered a new life and a Kingdom purpose.

After graduating from the Teen Challenge Ministry Institute in 1994, Carl saw God work through him and the other crew members of Friend Ships's pride and joy, "The Spirit of Grace."

For the last ten years, Carl has been a minister at San Diego Teen Challenge, taught Bible classes and counseled men struggling with addictions. Carl is happiest when he is preaching to men in the drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, speaking to the youth in Juvenile Hall, or participating in local outreaches in the community. He is married to Helen, a Swedish-born missionary, and they have a beautiful daughter named Moa. Carl is living proof that Jesus can and does change lives. Carl and his family attend the The Rock Church in San Diego.