PERSONAL MISSION

Founder of Prophetic Shift Ministry, grew up in Venice, CA. My Mother, the late Annie Mary Smith & Jerry Smith SR, kept me in church. The seed was planted, coming from a family legacy of preachers. I always had a deep inner knowing that I had a calling on my life to be a Pastor. My early experiences in ministry were under the leadership of Late Pastor L. K. Reece at the New Bethel Baptist Church.

 

I remember attending the Pastoral Anniversary and  Pastor L.K. Reece was led by the spirit to ask me an important question when I was 15 years old. A question that made a powerful impact on my life.  He asked,  "What do you want to be when you grow up!" My response was a Pastor for God’s People. “His response was it ain’t easy.” I realized the task would not be easy, by simply observing his lifestyle in ministry. He was a man that walked in humility, patience, and faced many challenges helping others reach their spiritual potential. His favorite quote was "If you learn better you'll do better". 

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While growing up in Venice, California, whenever I went to school, childhood friends such as  Alisha Stewart, Ronnette Weatherspoon,  Jermaine Harris and Cordell Henderson would listen attentively as I ministered to them at school.  My friends would say,  "You're gonna be a preacher." The bloodline of preachers on my father's side are, Sermons, Lucas & Mileys,  these forerunners all set the stage for my future. Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Around age 15 to 17,  I started running the streets of Venice. I Got caught up with the wrong crowd, and December 16, 1989 I ended up in jail. Was released from the youth training center at the age of 21 .  This life lesson gave me the discipline I needed while doing my time in the youth training center. I learned life skills, discipline, and interpersonal skills to deal with other people.  This experience made me a better person. Over the years I also learned that people I encountered were not who I thought they were. When I preached my first sermon at the Tweedy Memorial Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Matthew Wheaton JR, my sister had a stroke, I saw God raise her off of her death bed. I made the vow December 10, 2002 that I would preach God's word, come hell or hot water. I was determined to serve God and do His will!  In addition, after preaching my first sermon my father passed away the next day but it still didn't stop me from doing God's will.  

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The Late Evangelist Barbara Jean Wilson insisted that I meet her father.  She invited me to come to her dad's Pastor's Anniversary. I agreed to attend. Before the service in the fellowship hall the late Dr. Joseph Lee Junior gave me a prophetic word to read the scripture Jeremiah 3:15, which read. "I will give you Pastors after my own heart." After receiving the word it activated my dream to come into fruition.   In 2004 I was given the opportunity to pastor the Thankful Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. D.L. Griffen.   Dr. Griffen called Dr Lee and informed him he was looking for a young preacher to take over the church. Dr Lee gave me Dr. Griffin's phone number and told me to call about the ministry opportunity.  I called, and he presented the church opportunity over the church over the phone.  I responded, "let's pray about it".  He offered me to come to meet him in person.  I went to visit Dr. Griffen,  he was sitting on his rocking chair and he shared with me his dream.  He said; the Lord showed me you in a dream, even though he never saw me before.  It was his very first time seeing me in person. I accepted the opportunity to pastor the church.  I became the Pastor of Thankful Baptist Church.  For the past 20 years, I have been pastoring and supporting ministries to grow and develop.  When God calls you to do something, don't give up no matter what obstacles come your way.