Pastor Stanley A. Smith and Lady Shelia D. Smith

Reverend Stanley A. Smith was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He was educated through the Atlanta Public School System graduating from Henry W. Grady High School. He is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, receiving a Bachelors of Arts degree in Philosophy and Religion. Having received his call into the ministry, Reverend Smith was ordained and licensed at the age of nineteen through the Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He continued his educational pursuits at Princeton University Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey where he received the Masters of Divinity. Upon the completion of his studies, Reverend Smith returned to his home church in Atlanta, the Mount Gilead Baptist Church, under the Pastorate of his uncle, the late Reverend Henry G. Gilbert, Jr.

After speaking for a Youth Day event in 1989, Reverend Smith was called to his first Pastorate in 1990, as the Pastor of Greater Fellowship Baptist Church. He has served as Pastor for 34 years and is the longest serving Pastor in the church's 100 year history. As a Pastor, he demonstrates love for all of God's people and for his congregation in particular. He often goes above and beyond the call of duty to attend to the needs of others. He has special concern for family unity and our youth.

Pastor Smith strongly believes that we can live a rich and rewarding life if we follow the teachings, principles and examples given to us by Jesus Christ as set forth in the Bible. He is also a firm believer in education and currently serves as the Moderator of the Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Association, an organization dedicated to awarding scholarships for post-secondary education to young adults of the member churches. Under his leadership, the annual scholarship amount has increased to $1000.00 per member church.

Pastor Smith was elected as First Vice President to the New Era Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc. in 2022. He also orchestrated a statewide informational sign-up event for Affordable Health Care in its first year of operation on behalf of the State Convention. He also serves as Chairman of the Credentials and Causes Committee for the Progressive National Baptist Convention and was elected as Second Vice President of the State Presidents Department for PNBC. Pastor Smith was elected as the President of the Metropolitan Atlanta Baptist Ministers Union in 2020; re-elected in 2022 and served until the close of his tenure.  He currently serves as the Current Events Chair to inform and educate MABMU Pastors and Ministers about our political and social climate. Pastor Smith currently represents MABMU in the fight against Georgia’s Senate Bill 202 in an effort to protect the voting rights for people of color. 

Pastor Smith was honored with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Service from President Joseph E. Biden in 2023. One of his notable service achievements is personally taking Seniors to the Polls beginning with the 2020 Presidential Election and to the elections in subsequent years.
 

In addition to the ministry given to Pastor Smith through 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 40 years, Lady Shelia D. Smith; a son, Christopher A. Smith; a daughter, in Heaven, Shenita R. Perkins and eight grandchildren.

Lady Shelia D. Smith

Lady Shelia D. Smith was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She was educated through the Atlanta Public School System. Always having been a mathematical wizard and customer-friendly, she was employed many years in the retail industry. Lady Smith was also a devoted employee for 21 years at the Memorial Drive Presbyterian School as a Lead Teacher in their After-School program. During this time, she also provided home healthcare and home childcare for the Brister family.

Her service at Greater Fellowship includes Supervisor of the Junior Ushers Ministry since its organization, a former member of the GFBC Praisers and a former member of the Voices of Fellowship.

Our beloved Lady Smith has a genteel and caring spirit. She quietly attends to the needs of others in order to ensure their well-being with food, clothing and an encouraging word. She unselfishly encourages and supports her husband, our Pastor, in the many endeavors his ministry has lead him to. Most importantly, she supports the vision of God for our church and His people. Lady Smith also enjoys traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.