Christianity Today International has named Harold B. Smith (pictured) editor-in-chief and chief executive officer of its Chicago, Illinois-based stable of magazines, church resources and Internet websites and periodicals.
Smith succeeds the leadership team of Harold Myra and Paul Robbins as head of Christianity Today International (CTI).
Smith, 56, a resident of Carol Stream, Illinois, is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He holds a BA in history from the University of Michigan and studied and taught journalism at Michigan State University. Smith and his wife, Judy, have two adult sons, and they are active members of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois. Smith’s resume includes service with the National Association of Evangelicals prior to joining CTI.
Smith joined the staff of Christianity Today magazine as special projects editor in 1984, and was promoted through various positions. Most recently he served six years as executive vice president. With this appointment, he becomes only the fourth top executive in the company’s 50-year history.
Myra and Robbins announced their retirement after three decades at the helm of the publishing concern.
Christianity Today magazine was founded by evangelist Billy Graham in 1956 in an effort to give the fledgling evangelical movement coverage of faith news and the changing Christian culture.
Today CTI publishes 13 print magazines including Today’s Christian Woman, Leadership Journal, and Ignite Your Faith (formerly Campus Life), operates award-winning websites with more than 30 channels for men, women, teens, and church leaders reaching more than 2-million unique visitors monthly, and produces more than 40 electronic newsletters reaching 1.4 million subscribers.