The
Ecclesiastical Credential Synopsis of
Dr.
Thomas L. Smith, Sr.
Dr Thomas L. Smith, Sr. was born in Mobile, Alabama on April 22, 1954 to Mrs. Hattie Lee (Smith) Portis and the late Mr. Jessie J. Portis Sr.. He confessed his called to the ministry on the second Sunday in December 1977 at the Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Willie J. Washington.
On March 12, 1978 he preached his first public sermon and was licensed to preach. On August 18th, 1979 Pastor Washington and the Paradise Missionary Baptist Church of Omaha, Nebraska ordained him.
He attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he majored in Business Administration.
In April of 1980, Dr Smith was called to pastor the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church of Omaha, Nebraska. He lead Ebenezer for four years until the Lord lead him back to Mobile, Alabama in March of 1984.
On the Second Sunday in June 1984 Dr. Smith was called to the Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church in a rural town in Alabama by the name of Bromley. At Magnolia the church membership and finances increased and, as a result of his preaching and teaching, God allowed them to construct a new place of worship.
He received his Bachelor of Theology on May 20th, 1988 from the E.L. White Theological Seminary of Mobile, Alabama. He continued studying until he received his Master of Theology in May of 1989. Dr. Smith's hunger for knowledge led him to receive his Doctor of Ministry in May of 1993.
In May of 2000 after the death of the Late Rev. Willie J. Washington, Dr. Smith returned to Omaha, Nebraska to serve as Pastor of Paradise Missionary Baptist Church.
On July 12, 1975 (27 years ago) Dr. Smith met and married the second daughter of the late Rev. Willie J. Washington and Mrs. Ella Mae Washington. To their beautiful union two Children were born: La’Trice And Thomas L. Smith, II. They also have two loving grandchildren.