Pastor Fred & Jetta Smolchuck have pastored in Warren, Michigan and Tulsa, Oklahoma (Jetta's home state), before landing in Saginaw, Michigan to pastor First Assembly in 1976. Having been in marriage and ministry for over 45 years, they love to see people discover God's plan for their lives.
As a young person, Pastor Fred wanted to be a horse-racing jockey when he got older, however, his body quickly outgrew the possibility of that occupation! Then at a summer youth camp, he received God's calling on his life and discovered that the Lord had quite another plan in store for him. In her youth, Jetta was always on the go, involved in school activities of all types and was even voted Basketball Queen at her high school. She recently enjoyed the opportunity re-living some of those memories with friends at a reunion.
Pastor Fred & Jetta met at Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri. After immediately discovering that they shared the same sense of humor, among other things, they dated throughout their college years and were married in 1963. They have always enjoyed outdoor activities including snow-skiing and horse-back riding. Ever the picture of health and fitness, Pastor is found at the gym several times weekly, while Jetta's routine includes more aerobic-type activities like jumping rope. As an accomplished seamstress, Jetta has produced everything from children's clothes to curtains. Pastor Fred's skills as an avid handyman have him frequently tackling home improvement projects of all types. Sharing a love of animals, they have two bull mastiff dogs named Rocky & Cache. Prayer is a major focus in their lives and they take a daily prayer walk together. Out of these prayer walks a nightly prayer meeting began and has now continued in the church sanctuary for more than 4 years.