The former Southland Church of God youth pastor, Reverend Joe Smith, is the new senior pastor at the Independence Drive Church of God.
Smith will be installed into his new position by Bishop John Humes, overseeing bishop of the Church of God of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, during a service on Friday, June 21 at the church. The theme for the service will be "Leadership worth following".
His new role took effect on June 2 after a 12-year stint pastoring youth. Smith was invited to take up the new position after former Senior Pastor Bishop Esrum Lewis retired.
Smith, who is described as a "servant", has served in the capacity of Sunday School superintendent at Southland Church of God. During this time there was an increase in the number of teachers and students involved.
Smith has also served as chairman of the social and planning committee for the Vision 2009 anniversary and has been a member of the pastor's council since 2003. He is on the men's fellowship advisory board, the marriage club and is a Sunday school teacher.
The new pastor also serves his community in the sporting arena. He played softball, track and field, baseball and basketball, but volleyball captured his heart. Smith often says it was through volleyball that "God opened up a world to him that he would not have known if he hadn't pursued it."
Smith has been described as a man of character and integrity who leads a life that is open and honest and that he is an example for people from all walks of life. Other character traits that have been used to describe Smith include reliable, dependable and trustworthy.
Smith serves on the executive board of the New Providence Volleyball Association and as president of the Bahamas Volleyball Federation. He is presently the national senior women's volleyball team coach and was selected as one of the vice presidents of the Bahamas Olympic Committee with responsibility for technical development and sports religion for The Bahamas.
Smith has been married to Andrea Smith for 21 years. They have two children, Justin and J'Sanne.

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