By Chris Cox

“A lot of athletes, if you ask them what they love, they’d say the sport they play,” says Seminole senior baseball player Jaxon Smith. “But for me, my passion and my purpose is to further the word of God, to further His kingdom, and to go and make disciples like the Great Commission says in Matthew.”

Faith in Christ is the driving force behind Jaxon Smith and it’s a faith that has been cultivated by the people around him.

“My biggest influences, from the time I was born, are my parents (Paul and Joy Smith),” says Smith. “Like the scripture says, they’ve raised me up in Christ. Also, growing up both of my siblings (Joshua and Jana) influenced me a lot too. Finally, my youth pastor, Josh Pollock, at First Baptist Church disciples me. We talk about struggles, growing in Christ, and the practicalities of doing ministry.”

While Smith’s faith is the top priority in his life, he does have a passion for baseball.

“I started playing baseball when I was little,” says Smith. “I’ve played since I was three and found the love of the game and have been playing ever since.”

Smith, a left-handed pitcher and first baseman for Seminole, says the mental part of the game is what he loves most about baseball.

“I enjoy that you have to finish,” says Smith. “You can’t just run the clock out. You have to throw to the next guy and give them a chance to hit. What I love the most is being on the mound, in control, with the ball in my hands.”

Baseball hasn’t always been a walk in the park for Smith. He had surgery on his left labrum and coming back from that procedure was not always easy. But Smith says he is back at full strength and is ready to embrace all his senior season has to offer. 

Smith has signed to play college baseball at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee and plans on majoring in ministry with the hopes of becoming a youth pastor.