Stephen F. Smith is the pastor of Temple of Love Church of God in Christ. He serves under the leadership of Bishop Robert E. Barber, the Jurisdictional Prelate of Mississippi Northwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.
He was a member of Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ in Memphis, TN for eight years. He fell in love with God and God’s Word, and accepted his calling to the Gospel Ministry in 1994. Pastor Smith became a licensed minister in 1996, not long after that he was ordained as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ by one of the world’s greatest preachers, the Presiding Bishop G. E. Patterson. He served Temple of Deliverance COGIC in many different capacities such as secretary for both the Ministerial Alliance and the Elders’ Council, Personally serving Bishop Patterson in several different Security/Armor-Bearer Capacities, Altar Coordinator for the Major Services, and Planning Committee Member and Director of Transportation for the internationally renowned, “Soul Winners Conference”, where he was exposed to many of the world’s premier ministry gifts.
Pastor Smith was officially installed as a Pastor in the Church of God in Christ, Inc. by Bishop Jerry L. Maynard, the Jurisdictional Prelate of Tennessee 4th Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction (COGIC).
Pastor Smith believes that our entire nation and the rest of the world are primed for a tremendous move of God. Pastor Smith is frequently called upon to speak in the business and educational communities. Pastor Smith was a Commencement Day Speaker for a recent local Urban League Graduation, and he was the Communion and Ordination Speaker for the 18th Annual Holy Convocation of the Tennessee 4th Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. Pastor Smith also spoke for a group from The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, and a group from the National Black MBA Association. Pastor Smith has had his thoughts or messages showcased by Black and Christian.com, The Washington Post, The Commercial Appeal, The Collierville Herald, Memphis Minority Business Magazine, and several other media outlets and books!
Pastor Smith is married to Deborah Boyce Smith, and he has two daughters. Pastor Smith attended college at Memphis State University, C.H. Mason Bible College, and is a graduate of Central High School in Memphis, TN.