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Biographical Sketch of Bishop Nemiah Smith

On June 16, 1933, in Rentz, Georgia, Nemiah Smith was born into the family of Willie and Ella Mae Smith. At age 15, he established his relationship with Christ.  At age18, he accepted the call to the ministry and obtained a local license with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Incorporated.

In 1953, he was appointed assistant pastor to Authur Stevenson, pastor of Warne Grove Holiness Church in Macon, Georgia. In April of 1956, Bishop Smith moved to Detroit, Michigan.  He became a member of the Clinton Street Greater Bethlehem Temple Church under the pastorate of the late Bishop Samuel N. Hancock.  In 1966, he became the assistant pastor of Zion Apostolic Church.  He served in the Ferndale, Michigan church until he was led by the Lord to perform a new work.

In 1972, God called him to be the founder of Apostolic Faith Temple.  He began with less than 25 saints.  Services were held in the homes of various church members. Under his leadership, the church family grew, thus necessitating a larger place for worship. He and his congregants relocated to a storefront building at 13213 Fenkell Street, in Detroit.  In April 1975, God blessed Bishop Smith and the consistently increasing congregation to move to a more spacious facility at 20915 Evergreen Road, in Southfield, Michigan.  Fifteen years later, Pastor Smith’s spiritual labor produced a membership larger than the 450 seated Southfield church.  In August of 1990, God led Bishop Smith and the nearly 500-member congregation to the church’s present location, a 1700 seat edifice at 4735 West Fort Street, in Detroit.  

Concerned about the spiritual state of man, he engaged in hours of powerful preaching, teaching and praying, leading souls to Christ and righteous living.  He shepherded not only his flock, he ministered to whomever he encountered.  Spreading the good news of Jesus beyond the immediate area, he faithfully presented the message to people afar via a weekly radio broadcast.

Pastor Smith also cared about the natural state of man.  He demonstrated his concerns through numerous benevolent and civic activities.  He oversaw a food and clothing program for needy individuals.  In 1992, he assisted in forming the Jeremiah Project, a 22 member church-community improvement organization.  He hosted numerous civic events including the 2000 Census Rally and the 2004 Common Council Town Hall Meeting.

Bishop Smith was selected to several religious offices.  In 1986, he was selected to be a member of the National Board of Directors of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith (P.C.A.F.).  In 1989, he was selected to the position of district elder in the Michigan State Council of the P.C.A.F.  In 1990, he was elevated to the office of bishopric in the P.C.A.F. 

Bishop Smith was the recipient of myriad honors.   He received the Hancock-Young Pastoral Award from P.C.A.F (1996); an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Shiloh Theological Seminary (2001) and the Queen Esther Jones Pioneer Award given by the National Rhema Organization (2002).  In addition, he was listed in The National Register’s Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals 2005-2006 Edition.

Bishop Smith’s offspring consist of eight children from a 44-year marriage to his first wife, Mother Irene Smith.   After her death, Bishop Smith married Evangelist Dorothy McKinney.  He and Mother Dorothy Smith shared a constantly increased spiritual family.

On July 24, 2007, Bishop Nemiah Smith made his transformation from earth to glory.   However years before his departure, Bishop Smith wisely selected and groomed his successor.

Consequentially, Greater Apostolic Faith Temple continues under the leadership of Bishop Smith’s chosen son, Bishop Lambert W. Gates, Sr.