OUR PEOPLE

Pastor Smith was born in Biloxi, MS on Keesler AFB. He and his family moved frequently due to his father's active-duty Air Force career. After attending high school in Tifton, GA, he enlisted in the Air Force at age 17, where he worked on Aircraft Communication and Navigation Systems for F4 Fighters and C-130 cargo planes. Later, he retrained into Military Equal Opportunity, investigating discrimination complaints. Throughout his Air Force career, Pastor Smith earned Associate degrees in Avionic Communications and Social Services, as well as certification as an Academic Instructor. He retired in 2001 after 20 years of active-duty service. Pastor Smith transferred his Air Force college credits to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, completing his Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies in 2004. In June of that year, he was ordained and began his pastoral ministry in Siler City, NC. He returned to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary to complete his Master's degree in Christian Studies in 2012. After studying at Grand Canyon University for two years, he transferred to Nashville Bible College, where he earned his Doctorate of Theology in 2018. As a worship leader, Pastor Smith authored The Revelation in Plain English and frequently appeared as a guest panelist on the Ask the Pastor TV show with TCT Network. In February 2021, he and his wife Teresa began their service at First Southern Baptist Church of Warren.