The Rev. Dr. Frank Mitchell Smith, Jr. has devoted his life to collaborative connectional ministry among pastors and churches. Having been in preaching ministry for 38 years with 27 of those as a Senior Pastor, he is no stranger to the sacrificial labor and pioneering work involved in church planting and institutional development. After pastoring Newburg Church of Christ in Louisville, KY for 7 years, he founded Christ’s Church for our Community in 2000.
CCFOC, is committed to a three-fold mission: Reaching Up – Reaching In – Reaching Out. He has preached in 25 states in revivals, workshops, etc. baptizing hundreds of people.
While Dr. Smith holds degrees from Freed-Hardman University (B.A. Theology and General Communications) and Indiana Wesleyan University (M.S. Management), with a Doctorate of Divinity from Simmons College of Kentucky, he has spent much of his life advancing the causes and missions of other institutions which has allowed him to gain experience in various fields including mentoring, workforce development, youth development, community development, non-profit agency capacity building and most recently higher education institutional growth and development by serving as Executive Vice President of Simmons College of Kentucky since 2007 (Simmons College Kentucky). His work with Simmons College of Kentucky has been sacrificial in scope and has led the College to attain and reaffirm accreditation, facilitate management of operations and facilities, facilitate faith and community relations, and many other capacity building and facility acquisition accomplishments. Dr. Smith currently serves as the Financial Secretary for the Central District Baptist Association of Louisville.
Dr. Smith rigorously served in official capacities over 12 years with Louisville’s Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition (IMC) ranging from Secretary to Vice President and ultimately President from 2009 – 2014. He has recently served as President of the IMC in an interim capacity throughout 2020. He continues to serve as a board member of the IMC. His tenure as President set a new trend for clergy collaboration with local city government as he served on Mayor Greg Fischer’s initial transition team and gave faith-based leadership with Louisville’s 55,000 Degrees initiative. Dr. Smith previously served as a member of Louisville’s Workforce Investment Board (KentuckianaWorks) for three terms. Dr. Smith serves as a member of University of Louisville’s Signature Partnership Board of Advisors and has served on the Planning Committee for Louisville’s 15K (15,000 African-American Higher Education Degrees) and leads the 15K Faith Action Team. Dr. Smith served a 3-year term on the Continuation Committee of the former North American Christian Convention. Dr. Smith serves as a member of the Newburg Ministerial Association and is Chaplain and special assistant of his Father-in-law’s funeral home, Perryman’s Mortuary. He and his wife of nearly 18 years, Theresia, have one son, Jayson.