Meet Reverend Smith

Reverend David L. Smith is the son of Annie Ruth McDuffie and the late David Junior Smith from Dillon, South Carolina. He is the husband of Natalie Bizzell Smith, the father of five, and grandpa of two. Reverend Smith and his family joined Union Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, NC, in 2004. During his tenure, he served as a drummer for various choirs and worked in the Youth Missionary Department.  

In August 2008, he and his family relocated to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where they attended Piney Grove Baptist Church under the direction of Dr. Todd C. Davidson, Senior Pastor. He actively participated in Children's Church services for boys ages 9-12, Usher Ministry, Men of Faith, and Marriage Ministry. He and his family relocated to Jacksonville, North Carolina, in August 2011, where he continued his service with the Union Missionary Baptist Church under Dr. Larry D. Walston, Senior Pastor. In April 2012, Reverend Smith received his license to preach and served as Youth Minister. In November 2016, Reverend Smith was ordained with the Trent River Oakey Grove Missionary Baptist Association in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

In December 2017, Reverend Smith began working with Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church to assist them with preaching and teaching the Word of God. In January 2018, the elders of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church elected Reverend Smith to serve as Pastor of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. In 2020, Reverend Smith was elected to the office of 1st Vice Moderator of the Middle District Missionary Baptist Association, Inc., headquartered in Burgaw, North Carolina.

Reverend Smith is a retired United States Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Five with over 26 years of honorable service. He earned an Associate of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He also earned a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from The University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, North Carolina. Reverend Smith holds a Master of Arts in Practical Theology from Regent University and currently enrolled in the Regent University School of Divinity's Doctor of Ministry program, with a Concentration in Leadership and Renewal.

Reverend Smith is committed to learning more about God and believes that people of all ages are responsible for developing their relationships with God, their characters, and their families. He also thinks the church is responsible for providing a solid Christian foundation for its youth and young adult populations and preparing them to represent Christ in everything they do.

Reverend Smith enjoys serving God's people, spending time with his family, running, bowling, and sports. His favorite Scripture is John 1:46, which states, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."