Granger Smith; Photo Courtesy of Instagram

 announced that he is leaving Country music to become a minister. 

The 43-year-old singer/songwriter took to social media on Tuesday (April 11) to share the news with his fans via an emotional video message. 

“This message is so difficult to post,” he wrote in the caption of the clip. ”The words for this caption are so hard to find. Not because I don’t believe in the truth of them, but because this marks the end of the longest era in my life! Touring…24 years of it.”

To Embark On Like A River Farewell Tour

Smith went on to explain that his upcoming tour, dubbed the Like A River tour, will now serve as his farewell tour. The trek will kick off on April 13 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and will run through August 26, where the Like A River Tour will wrap up with back-to-back shows in his home stage of Texas.

”This summer will be my last tour. I am so encouraged and hopeful and excited and joyful about the next chapter, but to a large extent, I have no idea what it will look like,” Smith continued. ”I just want to glorify God the best way that I can [and] I want to learn and grow and serve my local church and allow my pastors to equip and affirm those next steps. Lord willing, I want to be used to help people find their purpose.”