Juda Smith: Biography, Family, Age, Acheivement & Networth

Judah Smith is one of the most prominent and influential young pastors in contemporary Christianity, renowned as the lead pastor of Churchome (formerly The City Church), a multisite megachurch based in Seattle, Washington, with a global reach through digital platforms and innovative church models. Known for his engaging preaching style, close friendships with celebrities like Justin Bieber and NBA stars, bestselling books, and pioneering approaches to church accessibility, Smith has become a leading voice to millennials and Gen Z Christians seeking authentic, relevant faith expression. His emphasis on grace, practical teaching, and removing barriers to church participation has made Churchome one of America’s fastest-growing and most innovative congregations while simultaneously attracting criticism regarding theology, methodology, and celebrity-driven ministry culture.

Beyond his pastoral role, Smith is a sought-after conference speaker, author of multiple bestsellers including Jesus Is ___, founder of influential church networks, and a bridge-builder between traditional evangelicalism and contemporary culture, positioning him at the forefront of 21st-century Christian ministry innovation.

Quick Facts: Judah Smith at a Glance

Category	Information
Full Name	Judah Smith
Date of Birth	October 9, 1978
Place of Birth	Seattle, Washington, USA
Age	46 years old (as of 2025)
Nationality	American
Occupation	Pastor, Author, Speaker, Church Planter
Church	Churchome (formerly The City Church)
Church Founded	Took leadership 2009 (church founded 1992 by parents)
Church Locations	Seattle area + global digital presence
Church Model	Multisite + “Churchome Global” digital platform
Years in Ministry	2000 – Present (25+ years)
Denomination	Non-denominational (Foursquare heritage)
Education	Attended Seattle Pacific University (did not complete degree)
Spouse	Chelsea Smith (Married 2000)
Children	3 (Zion, Eliott, Grace)
Books Published	5+ including Jesus Is ___, Life Is ___, How’s Your Soul?
Notable Friendships	Justin Bieber, Russell Wilson, Kevin Durant, Chris Pratt
Social Media Following	1+ million followers across platforms
Speaking Platform	Catalyst Conference, various megachurch events
Estimated Net Worth	$5-8 million (2025 estimate)

Early Life: Ministry Family Heritage

Born Into Ministry

Judah Smith was born on October 9, 1978, in Seattle, Washington, into a family deeply rooted in Christian ministry. His parents, Wendell and Gini Smith, were pastors who founded The City Church in Kirkland, Washington (a Seattle suburb) in 1992, when Judah was 14 years old.

Growing up as a pastor’s kid (PK) meant Judah’s entire childhood and adolescence occurred within church culture. He witnessed firsthand:

The demands and sacrifices of pastoral ministry
The joys of seeing lives transformed through faith
The challenges families face in public ministry
The operations and dynamics of building a church
The balance between spiritual calling and family life

This immersive experience provided both advantages (deep ministry training and understanding) and challenges (pressure, expectations, and loss of privacy typical for PKs).

Foursquare Denomination Background

The Smith family ministry operated within the Foursquare Church tradition—a Pentecostal denomination founded by evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson in 1923. Foursquare theology emphasizes:

The fourfold gospel (Jesus as Savior, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, Healer, and Soon-Coming King)
Pentecostal/Charismatic worship and spiritual gifts
Evangelism and missions focus
Contemporary worship and cultural engagement
Church planting and multiplication

This theological heritage shaped Judah’s ministry philosophy, though Churchome eventually became more non-denominational in practice while maintaining Foursquare roots.

Spiritual Formation

Unlike many Christian leaders who experience dramatic adult conversion, Judah grew up in faith, making his personal commitment to Christ during childhood. His spiritual formation occurred through:

Regular church attendance and participation
Observing his parents’ ministry firsthand
Youth group and camp experiences
Early leadership opportunities in church context
Mentorship from parents and other church leaders

Discovering the Call to Ministry

From early age, Judah sensed God’s call to pastoral ministry. Rather than resisting or rebelling against his parents’ vocation (as some PKs do), Judah embraced the calling, recognizing ministry as his life purpose and pursuing training and experience to prepare for future leadership.

Education and Early Ministry

Seattle Pacific University

Judah attended Seattle Pacific University, a Christian liberal arts institution in Seattle affiliated with the Free Methodist Church. While at SPU, he studied and participated in campus ministry activities, though he did not complete a traditional four-year degree—a decision reflecting his conviction that hands-on ministry experience was more valuable than classroom education for his specific calling.

This choice would later characterize his approach to ministry: prioritizing practical effectiveness over traditional credentials, relevance over academic theology, and real-world impact over institutional validation.

Early Preaching Experience

Even before finishing university, Judah began preaching regularly:

Youth ministry at his parents’ church
Guest speaking at other congregations
Youth conferences and camps
Developing his distinctive communication style

These early experiences allowed Judah to refine his preaching gifts, discover what resonated with audiences, and develop confidence in his calling before assuming major leadership responsibility.

Youth Pastor at The City Church

In his early twenties, Judah served as Youth Pastor at The City Church under his parents’ leadership. This role provided:

Regular preaching opportunities
Leadership development experience
Understanding of church operations
Relationship building with congregation
Mentorship from experienced pastors
Preparation for eventual senior leadership

Marriage to Chelsea Smith (2000)

Meeting and Marriage

In 2000, at age 22, Judah married Chelsea Smith, beginning a partnership that would become central to Churchome’s identity and ministry approach. Chelsea wasn’t merely a supportive pastor’s wife in traditional sense—she became an active ministry partner, preacher, author, and influential voice within the church community.

Their marriage established a leadership model where both spouses actively teach, preach, and lead, reflecting contemporary shifts in ministry partnership beyond traditional complementarian roles.

Three Children

Judah and Chelsea have three children:

Zion Smith (oldest son)
Eliott Smith (middle son)
Grace Smith (daughter)

The Smith family frequently appears in sermon illustrations, social media posts, and church communications, presenting an image of relatable family life navigating faith, parenting, and ministry demands together.

Ministry Partnership

Chelsea Smith serves actively in Churchome leadership:

Preaching regularly at Churchome services
Speaking at women’s conferences and events
Co-authoring books with Judah
Social media ministry with substantial following
Church vision and strategy participation
Marriage and family teaching as joint ministry

This partnership model demonstrates the Smiths’ conviction that both spouses bring essential gifts to ministry leadership and that contemporary church culture benefits from diverse voices and perspectives.

Becoming Lead Pastor of The City Church (2009)

Succession from Parents

In 2009, at just 31 years old, Judah Smith became Lead Pastor of The City Church, succeeding his parents Wendell and Gini Smith, who transitioned to other ministry roles. This generational leadership transition represented both opportunity and challenge:

Opportunities:

Inheriting established congregation with strong foundation
Building on parents’ legacy and goodwill
Leveraging existing infrastructure and resources
Maintaining continuity while introducing fresh vision

Challenges:

Proving himself beyond being “the pastor’s son”
Earning authority and respect independent of family connection
Navigating expectations from older members who remembered him as child
Introducing changes without dishonoring parents’ legacy
Establishing independent identity and leadership style

Early Leadership Vision

From the beginning of his tenure, Judah articulated clear vision for the church’s future:

Relevance to contemporary culture without compromising biblical truth
Excellence in worship and production rivaling entertainment industry standards
Practical teaching addressing real-life issues
Removing barriers that prevent people from encountering Jesus
Digital innovation extending reach beyond physical locations
Celebrity ministry not avoiding but embracing high-profile individuals
Grace emphasis over legalism and religious performance

Church Growth Under His Leadership

Under Judah Smith’s leadership, The City Church experienced significant growth:

Expanding from single location to multiple campuses
Increasing weekly attendance substantially
Attracting younger, more diverse demographics
Gaining national and international recognition
Developing robust digital presence
Creating innovative church models

Rebranding to Churchome (2017)

The Strategic Rebrand

In 2017, The City Church underwent comprehensive rebranding, becoming Churchome—a name reflecting the church’s vision and values:

“Church” + “Home” = Churchome

The name communicated:

Church as family and community, not just Sunday gathering
Home representing belonging, acceptance, safety
Accessibility and welcoming culture
Contemporary branding appealing to younger generations
Fresh identity distinct from traditional church connotations

Vision Behind the Name

Judah explained the rebrand as reflecting the church’s core conviction: Jesus wants to make church feel like home—a place where people belong, are known, experience unconditional love, and can authentically be themselves without pretense or performance.

This theological emphasis on grace, acceptance, and belonging became Churchome’s defining characteristic, attracting people disillusioned with judgmental, legalistic, or performance-driven church cultures.

Multisite Expansion

Following the rebrand, Churchome expanded its physical presence:

Kirkland campus (original location)
Seattle campus (downtown location)
Bellevue campus
Los Angeles campus (expanding beyond Pacific Northwest)

Each campus features live worship combined with Judah’s sermons broadcast via video—a multisite model pioneered by other megachurches that Churchome refined and executed effectively.

Churchome Global: Digital Innovation

Pioneering Digital Church

Churchome became one of the first churches to fully embrace digital-first strategy through Churchome Global—a comprehensive digital platform offering:

Live-Streamed Services: High-quality broadcasts of weekend services accessible globally

On-Demand Content: Sermon library, worship music, teaching series available anytime

Interactive Features: Chat functions, prayer requests, digital community connection

Churchome App: Comprehensive mobile application providing full church experience digitally

Virtual Campuses: Online communities organized by interest, location, or life stage

Digital Giving: Seamless online tithing and donation systems

COVID-19 Acceleration

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically accelerated Churchome’s digital strategy. When physical gatherings became impossible, Churchome’s existing digital infrastructure positioned them perfectly to maintain and even grow ministry during lockdowns.

The pandemic proved the viability of digital church models, with Churchome demonstrating that:

Online community can be genuine and meaningful
Digital platforms extend gospel reach globally
Technology enables accessibility for people unable to attend physically
Hybrid models combining physical and digital are the future

Controversy Over Digital Membership

Churchome’s embrace of digital-first ministry sparked controversy:

Critics argued:

Digital church undermines biblical community requiring physical presence
Online attendance isn’t genuine church participation
Virtual communion and baptism violate biblical sacrament theology
Technology distances people from authentic relationships
It represents consumerist approach treating church like streaming service

Defenders countered:

Digital access removes barriers for disabled, homebound, rural, and international people
Technology is tool, not threat—expands rather than replaces physical gatherings
Biblical community can occur through digital means
Hybrid models serve different needs and life circumstances
Innovation keeps church relevant to digitally native generations

Preaching Style and Ministry Philosophy

Engaging, Contemporary Communication

Judah Smith’s preaching style is instantly recognizable:

Conversational tone avoiding religious jargon and formal rhetoric
Contemporary cultural references connecting Scripture to movies, music, sports, technology
Story-driven teaching using personal narratives and relatable examples
High energy with animated delivery and movement
Visual elements utilizing video clips, graphics, and multimedia
Practical application providing concrete next steps
Humor and authenticity making teaching accessible and engaging

Central Message: Jesus Is…

Judah’s core theological emphasis centers on Jesus Christ’s identity and character, articulated through his bestselling book Jesus Is ___. Key themes include:

Grace Over Law: Emphasizing God’s unconditional love and acceptance rather than performance-based religion

Jesus’ Sufficiency: Teaching that Jesus is enough—sufficient for salvation, purpose, identity, and life transformation

Practical Faith: Connecting biblical truth to everyday decisions, relationships, work, and challenges

Identity in Christ: Helping believers understand who they are based on Jesus rather than achievements, failures, or others’ opinions

Accessible Christianity: Making faith comprehensible and attainable for skeptics, seekers, and struggling believers

Controversy Over Theological Depth

Judah’s teaching has attracted criticism regarding theological substance:

Critics argue:

His messages prioritize motivation over theology
Grace emphasis sometimes minimizes sin, repentance, and holiness
Teaching lacks systematic doctrinal instruction
Cultural relevance sometimes compromises biblical clarity
Practical focus neglects deeper theological formation

Supporters respond:

His teaching introduces biblical concepts accessibly without dumbing down
Grace emphasis corrects legalistic distortions in much contemporary Christianity
Practical application doesn’t negate theological foundation
Accessible communication reaches people traditional preaching doesn’t
Weekly sermons aren’t designed to replace comprehensive theological education

Celebrity Ministry and High-Profile Friendships

Justin Bieber Connection

Judah Smith’s most publicized relationship is his friendship and pastoral role with Justin Bieber, one of the world’s most famous pop stars. Their connection:

How They Met: Through mutual connections in entertainment and ministry circles around 2014-2015

Pastoral Relationship: Judah serves as spiritual mentor, advisor, and pastor to Bieber during his faith journey and personal struggles

Public Impact: Bieber’s attendance at Churchome, baptism by Carl Lentz (Hillsong pastor and Judah’s friend), and public faith expressions brought massive attention to Judah and Churchome

Social Media Presence: Frequent posts featuring Bieber, joint appearances, and public affirmations of their friendship

Hailey Bieber Wedding: Judah officiated Justin and Hailey’s 2019 wedding ceremony in South Carolina

Other Celebrity Connections

Beyond Bieber, Judah maintains relationships with numerous high-profile individuals:

Russell Wilson (NFL quarterback, Seattle Seahawks) and Ciara (singer) – Regular Churchome attendees

Kevin Durant (NBA star) – Has attended Churchome services

Chris Pratt (actor) – Connected through church and faith communities

Various entertainers, athletes, and public figures who’ve attended Churchome or connected with Judah

Benefits and Challenges of Celebrity Ministry

Benefits:

Massive platform expansion and media attention
Demonstrating faith relevance to cultural influencers
Resources and connections celebrities bring
Gospel witness to entertainment industries
Younger generation engagement through celebrity interest

Challenges:

Criticism of celebrity-focused ministry
Perception of superficiality or clout-chasing
Pressure to maintain celebrity relationships
Media scrutiny of every interaction
Questions about whether celebrity access influences theology or methodology

Judah’s Perspective: He views celebrity relationships as pastoral opportunities, not marketing strategies—high-profile individuals need spiritual guidance like everyone else, and their platforms can amplify gospel message positively.

Bestselling Author

Jesus Is ___ (2013)

Judah’s breakthrough book, “Jesus Is ___: Find a New Way to Be Human” (2013), became a New York Times bestseller and established him as an influential author beyond his local church context.

Core Message: The book explores who Jesus is and what that means for human identity, purpose, and daily living. The blank space invites readers to fill in based on their understanding and experience.

Key Themes:

Jesus as grace personified
Identity found in Christ rather than performance
Practical faith impacting everyday decisions
God’s unconditional love and acceptance
Freedom from religious performance

Impact: The book resonated particularly with millennials and younger Christians seeking authentic faith beyond religious rules, legalism, and performance-driven Christianity.

Other Published Works

“Life Is ___: God’s Illogical Love Will Change Your Existence” (2015) – Follow-up exploring abundant life Jesus offers

“How’s Your Soul?: Why Everything that Matters Starts with the Inside You” (2016) – Addressing internal spiritual health and emotional wellness

“The Hidden Power of Kindness: A Practical Handbook for Souls Who Dare to Transform the World One Deed at a Time” (2019, with Chelsea Smith) – Joint book on practical Christian living

Various devotionals and study guides supporting sermon series and church resources

Writing Style

Judah’s books reflect his preaching style:

Conversational, accessible prose
Personal stories and vulnerability
Practical application emphasis
Contemporary cultural references
Theological concepts explained simply
Focus on grace and identity in Christ

Controversies and Criticisms

Theological Concerns

Judah Smith has faced criticism regarding theology and teaching:

Overemphasis on Grace: Critics argue his grace-focused teaching sometimes minimizes sin, repentance, judgment, and holiness, creating “cheap grace” theology

Word of Faith Influences: Some detect prosperity gospel or Word of Faith elements in teaching about identity, speaking positively, and faith declarations

Lack of Depth: Concerns that motivational, practical teaching neglects systematic theology, doctrinal instruction, and comprehensive biblical education

Celebrity Culture: Questions about whether accommodating high-profile members influences teaching, compromises biblical standards, or creates preferential treatment

Digital Church Model: Theological objections to treating online participation as equivalent to physical church attendance and biblical community

Ministry Methodology Questions

Production Over Substance: Critics suggest Churchome prioritizes slick production, branding, and entertainment value over spiritual depth

Marketing Approach: Concerns about church operating more like brand or business than spiritual community

Leadership Succession: Questions about nepotism and whether Judah’s rapid rise to leadership was merit-based or family-connected

Financial Transparency: Like many megachurches, limited public financial disclosure raises accountability concerns

Response to Carl Lentz Scandal

Judah’s close friendship with Carl Lentz (former Hillsong NYC pastor who was fired in 2020 for moral failure and infidelity) created complications:

Questions about Judah’s discernment and choice of close associations
Pressure to publicly address Lentz’s failure
Scrutiny of celebrity pastor culture both participated in
Opportunity to demonstrate grace and restoration theology practically

Judah maintained friendship with Lentz post-scandal while acknowledging sin’s seriousness—modeling grace without excusing wrongdoing.

Defenders’ Perspective

Supporters argue:

Judah’s teaching, while contemporary, remains biblically grounded
Grace emphasis corrects legalistic distortions common in evangelicalism
Cultural engagement and accessibility don’t compromise gospel truth
Celebrity connections provide ministry opportunities, not mere publicity
Innovation and excellence honor God and reach contemporary seekers
Criticism often stems from resistance to change and generational differences

Ministry Impact and Influence

Reaching Unchurched and Dechurched

Churchome’s greatest impact may be reaching people who:

Never attended church regularly
Left church due to hurt, disillusionment, or legalism
Find traditional church culture alienating or irrelevant
Struggle with mental health, addiction, or life challenges
Seek authentic community without religious performance expectations

Judah’s grace-centered, judgment-free messaging particularly resonates with these populations.

Influence on Younger Pastors

Judah influences a generation of younger pastors and church planters who:

Prioritize cultural relevance and contemporary communication
Embrace technology and digital ministry strategies
Emphasize grace over legalism
Create welcoming environments for skeptics and seekers
Value excellence in production and presentation
Build multisite or digital-first church models

Catalyst Conference and Speaking Ministry

Judah regularly speaks at Catalyst Conference and other major evangelical leadership gatherings, extending influence beyond Churchome to:

Young ministry leaders seeking vision and inspiration
Church planters learning innovative approaches
Established pastors rethinking traditional methods
Christian organizations embracing cultural engagement

Global Digital Reach

Through Churchome Global, Judah’s teaching reaches:

International audiences across continents
Rural communities lacking access to dynamic churches
Disabled individuals unable to attend physically
Younger generations consuming content digitally
Seekers exploring Christianity without commitment pressure

Personal Life and Character

Family Focus

Despite demanding ministry schedule, Judah emphasizes family:

Regular references to Chelsea and children in sermons
Protected family time amid public demands
Modeling healthy marriage in ministry context
Parenting transparency about challenges and joys
Family involvement in church community

Authenticity and Vulnerability

Judah shares openly about:

Personal struggles with insecurity and inadequacy
Marriage challenges and growth areas
Parenting difficulties and lessons learned
Mental health and emotional wellness
Ongoing spiritual formation and learning

This vulnerability creates connection with audiences facing similar challenges.

Fashion and Cultural Engagement

Judah’s style reflects contemporary culture:

Streetwear-influenced fashion (hoodies, sneakers, casual attire)
Pop culture literacy and references
Social media savvy communication
Comfort in entertainment industry contexts
Rejection of traditional pastoral appearance expectations

This cultural fluency makes faith accessible to younger, culturally engaged audiences while drawing criticism from those preferring traditional pastoral decorum.

Net Worth and Lifestyle

Estimated Wealth

Judah Smith’s net worth is estimated at $5-8 million, accumulated through:

Pastoral salary from Churchome (amount undisclosed)
Book royalties from bestsellers
Speaking fees at conferences and events
Potential real estate investments

Lifestyle Considerations

The Smiths maintain lifestyle that:

Reflects success without ostentatious luxury
Enables ministry to high-profile individuals in their contexts
Provides comfort appropriate to demands of leadership role
Sometimes generates criticism regarding pastoral compensation and expectations

Financial Philosophy

Churchome maintains that:

Pastoral compensation is private matter between leadership and elders
Success and financial blessing aren’t inherently unchristian
Resources enable ministry expansion and excellence
Transparency exists at appropriate governance levels

Critics counter that megachurch pastors supported by member donations should publicly disclose compensation for accountability.

Legacy and Future Trajectory

At 46: Peak Influence Years

At 46, Judah Smith likely has decades of ministry ahead. Questions remain about:

Sustainability: Can Churchome maintain growth momentum and innovation?

Theological Maturation: Will teaching deepen over time or remain primarily motivational?

Digital Church Evolution: How will hybrid physical-digital models develop long-term?

Succession Planning: How will Churchome transition when Judah eventually steps down?

Celebrity Dependencies: Is the ministry overly dependent on high-profile relationships?

Potential Long-Term Impact

Judah’s lasting influence may include:

Demonstrating viability of digital-first church models
Making grace-centered theology accessible to contemporary audiences
Showing how church can engage culture without compromise
Training next generation of innovative ministry leaders
Normalizing pastoral vulnerability and authenticity

Questions About Legacy

His ultimate legacy depends on:

Whether theological concerns prove significant
How Churchome evolves post-Judah’s leadership
Whether digital church models produce lasting fruit
How his children navigate their ministry upbringing
Whether innovation represents genuine advancement or temporary trend

Frequently Asked Questions About Judah Smith

1. Who is Judah Smith? Judah Smith is lead pastor of Churchome (formerly The City Church), a multisite megachurch in Seattle, bestselling author of Jesus Is ___, and spiritual mentor to celebrities including Justin Bieber.

2. How old is Judah Smith? Born October 9, 1978, Judah Smith is 46 years old as of 2025.

3. Is Judah Smith married? Yes, he married Chelsea Smith in 2000. They have three children: Zion, Eliott, and Grace.

4. What church does Judah Smith pastor? He is lead pastor of Churchome, a multisite church based in Seattle with locations in the Pacific Northwest and Los Angeles, plus global digital presence.

5. How is Judah Smith connected to Justin Bieber? Judah serves as Justin Bieber’s pastor and spiritual mentor, officiating Justin and Hailey’s wedding in 2019 and providing ongoing pastoral care.

6. What books has Judah Smith written? His bestselling books include Jesus Is ___ (2013), Life Is ___ (2015), How’s Your Soul? (2016), and The Hidden Power of Kindness (2019, with Chelsea Smith).

7. What is Churchome? Churchome is a multisite megachurch founded by Judah’s parents in 1992, which he now leads. It emphasizes grace-centered teaching, digital innovation, and removing barriers to church participation.

8. Did Judah Smith go to seminary? No, Judah attended Seattle Pacific University but did not complete a traditional degree or attend seminary, prioritizing hands-on ministry experience over formal theological education.

9. What is Churchome Global? Churchome Global is the church’s comprehensive digital platform offering live-streamed services, on-demand content, virtual community, and mobile app access to church experience globally.

10. What denomation is Churchome? Churchome operates as non-denominational but has roots in the Foursquare Church tradition (Pentecostal denomination) through Judah’s parents’ ministry background.

11. What is Judah Smith’s preaching style? His style is conversational, contemporary, story-driven, practical, and grace-focused, using cultural references, humor, and multimedia elements to engage audiences.

12. What controversies has Judah Smith faced? Controversies include theological concerns about grace emphasis minimizing sin, questions about digital church validity, celebrity-focused ministry criticism, and associations with controversial figures like Carl Lentz.

Conclusion: Leading Church Into Digital Age

Judah Smith represents contemporary Christianity’s intersection with digital innovation, celebrity culture, and millennial spirituality. His journey from pastor’s kid to megachurch leader demonstrates both the opportunities and challenges facing 21st-century ministry.

His greatest contribution may be making Christianity accessible to generations alienated by traditional church culture—removing barriers of judgment, religious performance, and cultural irrelevance that prevent many from exploring faith. Through grace-centered teaching, digital innovation, and contemporary communication, Judah has reached people traditional churches often miss.

Yet significant questions persist. Do his methods represent genuine gospel advancement or mere cultural accommodation? Does grace emphasis correct legalistic distortions or minimize biblical holiness? Do celebrity connections provide ministry opportunities or compromise theological integrity? Is digital church viable long-term or temporary adaptation?

Judah Smith’s ultimate legacy remains unwritten. At 46, with potentially decades of ministry ahead, how Churchome evolves, whether his teaching deepens, how digital models mature, and whether fruit proves lasting will determine his historical assessment.

What’s certain is his influence on contemporary Christianity—particularly younger evangelicals—cannot be ignored. He has challenged traditional church assumptions, pioneered digital ministry strategies, and demonstrated that grace-centered, culturally engaged Christianity can thrive in secular environments. Whether that represents the future of evangelicalism or a problematic departure from historic faith remains the question observers continue debating.