Pastor Stanley A. Smith is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. He was educated in the Atlanta Public School System, graduating from Henry W. Grady High School. He is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Religion. Having received his call into the ministry, he continued his educational endeavors at Princeton University Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey where he received the Master of Divinity degree. Upon completion of his studies, Rev. Smith returned to his home church in Atlanta, the Mount Gilead Baptist Church, under the pastorate of his uncle, the late Reverend H.G. Gilbert, Jr.
After speaking for a Youth Day event in 1989, Reverend Smith was called to his first pastorate, as pastor of the Greater Fellowship Baptist Church. He has been pastor of Greater Fellowship Baptist Church for 33 years and is the longest serving Pastor in the church’s 99 year history. As a pastor, he demonstrates his love for all of God’s people and his congregation in particular. He often goes above and beyond to attend to the needs of others. He has a special concern for the family unit and for our youth.
Moderator Smith strongly believes that we can live a rich and rewarding life if we follow the teachings and principles set forth in the Bible and given to us by Jesus Christ. He is a firm believer in education and currently serves as Moderator of the Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Association, an organization dedicated to awarding scholarships for post-secondary education to the young adults of the member churches. Under his leadership, the annual scholarship amount has increased to $1000 per member church.
Pastor Smith currently serves as First Vice President to the New Era Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc. He also orchestrated a statewide informational sign-up for Affordable Healthcare in its first year of operation on behalf of the State Convention. Pastor Smith serves as the Chairman of the Credentials and Causes Committee on behalf of the Progressive National Baptist Convention and in August 2023, he was elected as Second Vice President of the State Presidents Department for PNBC. Pastor Smith was elected and is currently serving a second term as President of the Metropolitan Atlanta Baptist Ministers Union.
In addition to the ministry given to Pastor Smith by the Lord God, he loves going to the mountains to commune with God and refresh his spirit. He enjoys reading and listening to Classical Jazz and Christian music. He has a wife of 39 years, Lady Shelia D. Smith; a son, Christopher Smith; a daughter, Shenita Perkins (in Heaven) and eight grandchildren, the youngest of which is Christopher, Jr., our little bundle of joy.