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Bishop Dr. A. Steve P. Smith

Bishop Dr. A. Steve P. Smith is a second-generation minister in the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) whose life and ministry have been distinguished by a passionate pursuit of God's presence, unwavering commitment to biblical truth, Spirit-empowered leadership, and a lifelong dedication to developing leaders for the Kingdom of God. Since 2016, he has faithfully served as Administrative Bishop of the New York Church of God, providing visionary leadership, pastoral oversight, and strategic direction for one of the denomination's most influential ministry regions.

From an early age, it was evident that God's hand rested upon his life. At approximately twelve years of age, while walking home from school in his native Jamaica, he led his first person to faith in Jesus Christ. That defining moment ignited a lifelong passion for evangelism, discipleship, and revival, a passion that continues to shape every facet of his ministry as he calls the Church to deeper spiritual formation, faithful discipleship, and renewed dependence upon the Holy Spirit.

Throughout more than three decades of ministry, Bishop Smith has served the Church of God in numerous influential leadership roles. He served four years as Administrative Bishop of the New Jersey Church of God, leading the state from mission status to AA status through strategic leadership, healthy organizational development, and a renewed vision for ministry. Prior to that, he faithfully served for eight years as New York State Youth and Discipleship Director, where he invested deeply in raising and mentoring the next generation of Christian leaders. He also served for six years as Chairman of the Northeast Winterfest Committee, helping shape one of the region's premier youth gatherings.

His influence has extended throughout the denomination through service on the International Youth & Christian Education Board, the Church of God International Discipleship Board, the Men and Women of Action Board, and the Board of Directors for Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. These appointments reflect the confidence church leaders have placed in his wisdom, servant leadership, and unwavering commitment to the mission of the Church.

Recognizing that the future of the Church depends upon intentionally equipping emerging leaders, Bishop Smith is also the founder of YouthLeadersTrain, an online leadership certification and ministry development platform created to equip youth pastors, youth leaders, and ministry volunteers for effective, biblically grounded, and Spirit-empowered ministry. Through this innovative initiative, he has expanded leadership development beyond the classroom, providing practical training, mentoring, and resources that continue to prepare leaders to disciple the next generation with excellence, integrity, and Kingdom vision.

A lifelong learner and passionate advocate for spiritual formation, Bishop Smith earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Roberts Wesleyan University/Northeastern Seminary and holds a Master of Arts in Church Ministries from the Church of God Theological Seminary. His doctoral work focused on cultivating spiritually formed leadership through the integration of Richard Foster's Streams of Living Water, providing a practical model for developing Christ-centered leaders for the contemporary Church.

He is the author of Outer Court Wandering or Holy Place Dwelling and The Six Streams of Spiritual Leadership, books that challenge believers to move beyond superficial Christianity into a deeper life of intimacy with Christ, spiritual maturity, and transformational leadership. His writings continue to encourage pastors and leaders to cultivate ministries that are both biblically faithful and spiritually vibrant.

Bishop Smith is the visionary founder and host of the Times Square Revival and the New York City Five Boroughs Revival and Awakening, two landmark movements that unite churches across denominational, ethnic, and cultural lines for prayer, worship, evangelism, and spiritual awakening in one of the world's most influential cities. These initiatives reflect his conviction that revival must move beyond the sanctuary into the streets, where the Church visibly demonstrates the love, power, and hope of Jesus Christ.

His commitment to serving extends beyond the Church into the public square. Bishop Smith serves as a Human Rights Commissioner for Nassau County, New York, where he advocates for justice, equity, dignity, and reconciliation, exemplifying the biblical mandate to seek justice while loving mercy and walking humbly with God.

Before entering full-time ministry, Bishop Smith honorably served in the United States Armed Forces, receiving the Good Conduct Medal along with several achievement awards for exemplary military service. His military experience helped shape the discipline, perseverance, and commitment to excellence that continue to characterize his leadership today.

His passion for perseverance has also been demonstrated through endurance athletics. In 2011, he completed the New York City Marathon as an evangelistic outreach initiative, using the race as a platform to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 2016, he completed the marathon once again as part of the FINISH COMMITMENT church-planting vision under the theme "26 Miles, 26 Church Plants," inspiring churches to embrace multiplication, perseverance, and Kingdom expansion.

Above every title and accomplishment, Bishop Smith is a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, a Spirit-filled preacher, a shepherd of God's people, and a passionate advocate for revival and spiritual awakening. His ministry is marked by biblical preaching, Pentecostal conviction, servant leadership, intentional discipleship, and a relentless pursuit of God's transforming presence. He believes the Church's greatest need is not merely better methods, but spiritually formed leaders whose lives embody the character, compassion, holiness, wisdom, and mission of Jesus Christ.

Bishop Smith is married to Karen Smith, his beloved partner in life and ministry. Together they have faithfully served the Kingdom of God for many years and are blessed with two children, Sarah and Johnathan. Together, they continue to invest their lives in raising leaders, strengthening churches, advancing revival, and proclaiming the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ to their generation and beyond.

Bishop Smith is married to Karen Smith, his beloved partner in life and ministry. Together, they have faithfully served the Kingdom for many years and are blessed with two children: Sarah, a medical doctor, and Johnathan, a high school student. Together, they continue to invest their lives in raising leaders, strengthening churches, advancing revival, and proclaiming the hope of Jesus Christ to the nations.

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