Reverend Michael A. Smith is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. He was born to the late Pastor William Smith and the late Minister Elaine Sherrer. His parents along with his community instilled in him to always put God first and treat others with the same compassion and respect you desire to have rendered unto you.
Reverend Smith received his primary and secondary education in the Atlanta Public School System. He is a 1986 graduate of Troy State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and his Master Degree in Public Administration from Troy State in 1996. Reverend Smith is a 2017 graduate of Immanuel Baptist Theology Seminary where he earned a Master’s Degree in Theology and is presently a doctoral candidate in Divinity. Reverend Smith is a retired federal law enforcement officer. He is a Georgia Certified Public Manager and a graduate of the Federal Judicial Center Leadership Program in Washington D.C. He is a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Prior to being called to Antioch East Baptist Church, Reverend Smith committed his life to Christ at age 15, at which time he began teaching Sunday school. He was ordained as a deacon in 1991 by Pastor Franklin E. Sherrer of The Workhouse of Faith Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a member of Christians for Change Baptist Church in Riverdale, Georgia, under the leadership of Pastor Dr. Michael Wayne Baldwin from 2000 to 2016. Reverend Smith served at Christians for Change in the following positions: Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Deacons; Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School Department; Sunday school teacher (Young Adult and Adult classes); Minister of Children’s Church; Vacation Bible School Teacher (all ages); Co-Chairperson of the Long Range Planning Ad-hoc Members Retention Committee; Laymen’s Ministry; and the Courtesy Guild. Ministering and teaching God’s word is Reverend Smith’s true passion.
On August 26, 2012, after more than 24 years of avoiding his true calling, Reverend Smith was licensed to preach the gospel by Pastor Baldwin. His sermon was “Roadblocks to Destination Joy.” Subtopic: “Can Anyone Testify?” On August 31, 2014, he was ordained. Through life experiences, both foreseeable and unforeseeable, Rev. Smith truly understands God’s timing is always “the perfect timing.”
Reverend Smith is blessed to be married to the lovely Patricia Ann Smith for the past 28 years. They are blessed with two sons, Zachry and Caleb. They are residents of Tyrone, Georgia.
Reverend Smith treasures Exodus 33:13 “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, That I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.”