[3] He has also starred in two films and published 14 books including This Is Your Time, which he worked with Christian author Gary Thomas to write.

[10] After his older Christian friends moved away to college, Smith began to struggle with feelings of loneliness and alienation.

The next day he auditioned for a new contemporary Christian music (CCM) group, Higher Ground, as a keyboardist and got the job.

It was on his first tour with Higher Ground, playing mostly in churches, that Smith was finally able to put the drugs and alcohol behind him.

[10] In 1981, while he was playing keyboards for Higher Ground,[11] Smith was signed as a writer to Meadowgreen Music, where he wrote numerous gospel hits penned for artists such as Sandi Patty, Kathy Troccoli, Bill Gaither and Amy Grant, to the effect that some of these popular worship songs can now be found in church hymnals.

In 1993 Smith released his first box set, The Wonder Years and his first greatest hits album, The First Decade (1983–1993).

In 1994, Smith appeared as a guest pianist on the album Swing, Swang, Swung by Christian rock band Guardian.

Also in 1999, he became the first Christian artist to receive the ASCAP "Golden Note" Award for lifetime achievement in songwriting.

Worship Again also includes a song that Smith wrote called "There She Stands", inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks.

[16] The same year he also released his second greatest hits album, The Second Decade (1993–2003), which includes a new single called "Signs".

On June 20, 2008, Smith recorded his third live Worship album at the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, titled A New Hallelujah.

He claimed that a show "conflated with prayer and worship" should remain in church or private property, not in the "public's backyard".

The following day the city council decided to cancel the concert, but a day later they decided to host the show as planned after all, following a criticism from a Utah evangelical group that equated cancelling the concert to an assault on religious liberty.

[19] The Mayor of Draper and several city council members were present at the event and were recognized for their support.

Released on September 30, 2014, it features duets with Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Jennifer Nettles, Martina McBride, Vince Gill, Bono, Amy Grant, and Michael McDonald.

Smith, along with Amy Grant, was honored as the "cornerstone of Christian music" by ASCAP in 2014 for his significant influence on the genre.

[7] In 2015, Smith and his son Tyler wrote the score and soundtrack for the film 90 Minutes in Heaven, in which he also has a small acting role.

In November 2015, Smith and Amy Grant started their annual Christmas tour again after a roughly 15-year break.

[35] On August 11, 2017, Smith released a new single, "A Million Lights", which marks a departure from his previous sound.

[39] In May 2018, Smith launched a new children's book series, Nurturing Steps, which he created with VeggieTales co-creator Mike Nawrocki.

[40] On August 30, 2018, Smith hosted a free event at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena called "Surrounded: A Night to Pray, Worship and Be Awakened".

[43] In March 2024, Smith released his worship EP Worthy is the Lamb which was recorded at Belmont University.

[citation needed] In 2015, Smith starred as Cliff McArdle in the film adaptation of the best-selling book 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper.

Smith also starred as James the disciple in The Passion, a live musical film that was aired on FOX on March 20, 2016.

The venue offers a large dance floor, extensive indoor skate park, and a café hosting live acoustic music.

[49] He also sang it at the memorial service honoring Graham at the United States Capitol rotunda on February 28, 2018.

Smith attended Belmont Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and is mentored by its long-time pastor, Don Finto.

[65][66] In June 2019, Smith signed a declaration by Franklin Graham calling for a special day of prayer for President Donald Trump, that God would protect, strengthen, embolden, and direct him.

[67] In 2023, Smith asked Ohioans to vote against the Issue 1 ballot measure to enshrine contraception and abortion in the state constitution, calling it a "spiritual battle".

[68] Smith has been a worship leader at TheCall events, large prophetic prayer rallies founded by Lou Engle and Ché Ahn.