Fathers for the fatherless

“When a father abandons his family, it causes the deepest of wounds,” said John Smithbaker, author, speaker, and founder of Fathers in the Field, a ministry that defends the cause of the fatherless. His words come from experience, and his claim is valid.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2024, approximately 14,627 out of 72,581 children under 18 lived with only their mothers, which represents about 20% of children in the United States.

The National Center for Fathering, a non-profit organization focused on promoting active father involvement, reported the following:

• Children living in homes without fathers are nearly four times more likely to experience poverty.

• Those without father figures are at higher risk of substance abuse.

• Children without fathers are more likely to attempt suicide.

• Neighborhoods with fewer engaged fathers tend to have higher crime rates.

“Christians in America have become so accustomed to thinking of mission fields as distant lands,” asserted Smithbaker. “The church needs to realize that the mission field is right in our backyard. This is a significant shift for the American church. The days of merely writing a check while ignoring the struggles around us must end. That’s why Fathers in the Field was founded.”

A heavenly mandate

Established in 2005, Fathers in the Field assists churches in supporting and mentoring fatherless boys. The organization offers resources and guidance that help fulfill the work described in James 1:27 as “pure religion.”

“We’re equipping local churches to take responsibility,” explained Smithbaker. “We help them develop a ministry for fatherless children within their own congregations, and then we move on to the next church.”

For Smithbaker, this is not a mission that churches should leave to parachurch organizations. It is a task given to the church by God Himself.

“This is important,” he continued. “As a ministry, we aren’t taking this responsibility away from the local church. Instead, we empower local churches to act in obedience to God’s command.”

Smithbaker carefully distinguished Fathers in the Field as a ministry rather than a program.

“Programs, I believe, are human created. A ministry is heavenly [created]. It is a ministry that we’re asking churches to do. [It’s] not another man-made program by John Smithbaker.”

Fathers in the Field has partnered with nearly 500 churches, equipping them with resources and guidance to reach out to fatherless boys in their respective communities. This approach not only addresses the immediate needs of these boys but also strengthens the church’s role in society.

The ministry in action

Fathers in the Field works with churches to minister to fatherless boys in their congregations and communities by providing a comprehensive curriculum to guide their efforts.

 Mentor fathers commit to a three-year term that renews annually. They meet with their assigned boys, or “field buddies,” four times a month. These meetings include outdoor activities, service projects, and worship – all aimed at building trust and sharing the love of Christ.

One of the most powerful aspects of the program is the commitment process. A fatherless boy watches as his mentor makes a written covenant and then fulfills it. This often represents the first step in the healing journey.

“These boys are deeply, deeply wounded,” Smithbaker explained. “They don’t believe anything a man says. So, we counsel and coach these men to understand that for that first year, their job is to fulfill their commitments to these boys. A caring relationship must be established first. And the only way they think you care about them is if you live up to your commitments.”

The impact of Fathers in the Field extends beyond the individual boys to their families and communities. Single mothers find support and relief knowing that godly men are guiding their sons into authentic Christian manhood.

A personal journey

Smithbaker’s experience as a child without a father deeply informs the ministry’s approach.

“My ministry began when I was in the womb of my mother because that’s when my dad left me,” he said. “I experienced fatherlessness and its hurt and practical issues.”

Boys react to abandonment by their fathers in two different ways, Smithbaker explained. About 85% become angry and rebellious, sometimes leading to violence and destruction. The other 15% fight for their father’s attention and affection.

“[Sometimes] they become perfectionists, ultra-successful overachievers,” Smithbaker said. “In our weird way, [a fatherless boy can] think, Why wouldn’t my dad love me if I win everything and am perfect? And that’s the route I took.”

Surrender and forgiveness

At age 40, Smithbaker came to faith in Christ and faced the challenge of forgiving his father.

“I went home and wrote a letter to my dad,” he recounted. “I told him that what he did was wrong and that it affected my life greatly. However, I also told him that through the power of Christ, I have been forgiven, and I have forgiven him.”

This personal journey of forgiveness became a cornerstone of the Fathers in the Field ministry, as participants are encouraged to write a “forgiveness letter” to their absent fathers.

“I know I am fully healed from my fatherlessness pain and hurt,” Smithbaker reflected, “because now I’m thankful God allowed me to be fatherless so I could use it for His glory and understand what these fatherless boys need.”

Wake-up call

Fathers in the Field is growing through partnerships with an increasing number of churches, but Smithbaker is adamant that many more are needed.

“The earthquake has hit, but the tsunami wave is on its way to our nation,” he warned. “It’s time for Christian men and churches to wake up and invest in the next generation of pastors, providers, and protectors.”