Smith announces final tour, pursue ministry

The decision followed the death of his three-year-old son, River, in an accidental pool drowning in 2019.

"I've been so nervous to post this video," he said via Instagram.

"This summer is my last ever tour," he said. "I have felt a strong desire to pursue ministry, and this doesn't mean I'm going to start a church, crusade or revival. This means me and my family are going to serve our local church."

The tour begins April 13 in Oshkosh, Wisc. and concludes Aug. 26 in Fort Worth, Texas. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Smith has been touring for 24 years.

"This is a time of learning and growing for me," Smith said in an emotion-laden video.

He said "This may explain why I've seemed so distant lately, especially musically," he said.

Smith has a book coming out as well - "Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache," on Aug. 1 via W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. He said he would go on a book tour.

"I know a lot of you may not understand this at all," he said. "You may be upset about it.

He talked of the difficulty of studying in a Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and giving praise to God, while giving concerts on weekends where he was "exalting myself."