Our Pastor
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
KELLY M. SMITH, JR.
The Rev. Dr. Kelly M. Smith, Jr., is the eighth Pastor of the Historic Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Smith, Jr. is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and is the only son of the late Reverend Dr. Kelly Miller Smith, Sr., and Mrs. Alice Smith (Risby). He is a graduate of Morehouse College (B.A.), Morehouse School of Religion of the Interdenominational Center (M.Div.), and United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio (D. Min.). While attending Morehouse College, he became a member of Friendship Baptist Church.
Dr. Smith has joyfully served in pastoral ministry for over forty years. He spent 19 years as Senior Pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Knoxville, followed by six years at Berean Baptist Church in Nashville. Answering God’s call, Dr. Smith returned to his beloved home church in Nashville, where his father once pastored, and lovingly led First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, as Senior Pastor for 13 years.
Throughout his ministry, Dr. Smith has touched countless lives and expanded the church’s reach both within the United States and globally. He also has a heart for education and has shared his love of learning by teaching at all levels, from high school to graduate school.
Dr. Smith also served as Executive Director of the Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. for six years. Family is close to his heart—he is a proud father of three adult children, grandfather to seven, and great-grandfather to three. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, word games, baking treats for loved ones, and exploring new places. His warmth and joy for life are evident in all that he does.