Joshua Luke

Joshua Luke Smith spent his early childhood in Pakistan as the son of missionary parents, returning to England at age ten. This experience contributed to a lifelong feeling of not fully belonging and moving through fourteen different homes by age fifteen. Smith’s upbringing fostered a perspective of sacrifice and helping others, as his father worked in drug rehabilitation and often brought clients into their home. This background laid foundations for his future work in community building and outreach. Through his youth, Smith developed a gambling addiction beginning at age twelve, which escalated and persisted for many years.

By 2019, at 30 years old, Smith received a call from a debt collector during a family event, marking a turning point in his life. This event, coupled with the impending birth of his second child in 2021, motivated him to address his addiction. He embarked on a 12-step recovery program, a journey reflected in his 2023 single and upcoming 2024 album, both titled ‘Liberated’. Smith’s personal experiences with suffering and recovery have informed his professional endeavors, including his work as a pastor and his decade-long commitment to teaching poetry in prisons.

Smith has become a prominent figure in creative and social spheres, being recognized as a poet, songwriter, community builder, podcaster, and author. He founded Orphan No More, a record label and creative community, and The Psalmists, a charity dedicated to assisting offenders through creative expression. His debut album, ‘The Void,’ was released in 2022, followed by the single ‘Liberated’ in 2023, with the full ‘Liberated’ album scheduled for March 2024. He is the author of ‘Something You Once Knew’ and is actively working on his second book. Smith’s work and interviews have been featured in publications such as Complex Magazine, BBC 1XTRA, BBC 6 Music, Premier Radio, UCB Radio, and Wordplay. He has also delivered a TEDx Talk and regularly speaks at conferences worldwide on topics including spiritual formation and creativity. He currently resides in London, UK, with his family.