Senior Pastor, Dr. Willie J. Smith Jr.

New Covenant Church

303 South 11th Street Gadsden, AL 35901

Phone: (256) 547-7149

Pastor's Message

Willie J. Smith, Jr. was born to Willie J. Smith, Sr. and the late Odessa Jelks Smith on August 5, 1964, in Glencoe, Alabama. He was educated in the Etowah County school system and graduated No. eight and with honors in his class in 1982. Pastor Willie Smith accepted his call to preach at the age of 20. He was ordained as minister in good standing with the New Testament Church of Alabama, Inc. in 1988 under the leadership of Pastor and Overseer G.A. Hamby.

In 1990, Pastor Willie Smith was called to pastor Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Boaz, Alabama. After 5 years, he was called to be the Assistant Pastor of Inner City Ministry Assembly of God in Anniston, Alabama under the leadership of Apostle Melvin Crook, Jr.

Pastor Smith began taking Berean Bible College classes at First Assembly of God in Oxford, Alabama to continue his education. Having given evidence of a divine call to the ministry, and having attained to the scriptural standards prescribed by the General Council of the Assemblies of God and the approval of the presbytery of the Alabama District Council, a Certificate of Ministry was given to Pastor Willie Smith to perform all essential functions of a licensed minister.

In 1997, Pastor Willie Smith became licensed minister in good standing with the Assemblies of God. It was then when God commissioned him to start a church plant in Gadsden, Alabama. In November, 1997, New Covenant Church was born.

Under the continued leadership of Pastor Willie Smith, membership began to grow. A decision was made by the congregation to purchase a building as our church home. The membership along with Pastor Smith voted to incorporate in March, 1998. On April 16, 1998, New Covenant Church became incorporated. On March 29, 1999, we closed on purchasing the building. New Covenant now had a home. The same year, Pastor Smith was led of God to start feeding the hungry. The Covenant Pantry was born.

In June of 2003, Pastor Smith became the founder of the Covenant House, which is a transitional shelter for women and their children. A house and distribution center was purchased for this purpose, on July 11, 2003.

• On May 22, 2005, Pastor Smith received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Saint Thomas Christian College in Jacksonville, FL.
• Pastor Smith is the Executive Director of New Covenant Community Development in Gadsden, AL.
• Pastor Smith is the founder of the Covenant House - a transitional home for women and children.
• Pastor Smith serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the United Way of Etowah County in Gadsden, AL.
• Member of the Long Term Recovery Committee for the Katrina evacuees in Gadsden, AL.
• Served on the Board of Directors of the Coosa Valley YMCA in Gadsden, AL.
• Member of Community Resource Network in Gadsden, AL.
• Works as a Process Control Leader for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Gadsden, AL.
• Married to Teresa Dolois Smith and they have six children.

On May 22, 2005, Pastor Willie Smith received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree from St. Thomas Christian College in Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Zamekio Jackson, founder. Pastor Smith was honored with a reception on June 17, 2005. Special guests included Dr. Kenneth L. Pearman of Stroudsburg, Pennysylvania, Bishop and Mrs. Gary Hawkins of Stone Mtn., Ga. and Rev. Robert Angles of Oxford, AL. Pastor Smith received many gifts and words of encouragement during this joyous occasion.