Rob Smith was born and raised in South Africa, but immigrated to the United States in 1977. He was an early advocate and activist in the Christian School and Home School movement in Georgia, where he lived for many years with his wife, Merle, and their four children.
Rob has also been a leader through the years in charitable work, having a passion for the Scriptural mandate to take care of widows and orphans. To this end, Rob founded the Agathos Foundation, which supports AIDS orphans in Africa. Agathos has been a valuable partner with PPF in our ministry in Sudan.
As a successful entrepreneur, Rob serves as President of Thain Boats, a Seattle, Washington-based boat building company. In conjunction with his charitable work in Africa, Rob founded Earthwise Ventures, a company presently organizing a dependable ferry system on Africa’s Lake Victoria, the largest tropical lake in the world.
Due to launch this fall, Rob’s ferry system will open enormous possibilities for economic growth, trade and communication between Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Rob’s vision brings a “holistic” approach to Christian missions, providing a great illustration of how the Gospel impacts all areas of life — including economic development.
PPF is blessed to have Rob Smith on our board of directors as we work together to engage in active compassion for the persecuted.
