Superintendent Emeritus

Elder J.C. Smith, son of the late Willie C. and the late Rosie Lee Smith, was saved in 1954, at the age of 22. In 1951, he married Ella M. Smith and to this union, five children were born: Wade, Loletha, Patricia, Alan, and Trellis.

In 1959, age 27, Elder Smith pastored his first church in Dothan, Al. He later pastored Churches of God by Faith in Ashford, AL, Ozark, AL, New Brockton, AL, Andalusia, AL, and Auburn, AL. He became Superintendent under the leadership of Bishop W.W. Matthews in 1965 (age 35).

Under the leadership of Elder J.C. Smith, the Southeast Alabama and Northwest Florida District grew from 5 churches to 9 churches and 4 missions. Elder Smith spearheaded the construction of churches in Auburn, AL and Abernathy, AL.  Elder Smith spearheaded the renovations to the church in Ashford, AL.  He also mentored several ministers and pastors throughout the district and in the national church.

After the death of Sis. Ella Mae Smith (2005), Elder J.C. Smith married Sis. Mary D. Baxter in 2010. He continued to pastor the Churches of God by Faith in Ozark, AL and Auburn, AL and remained District Superintendent until he retired in December, 2017, at the age of 86. Elder (along with Sis. Mary Smith) currently serves the Southeast Alabama and Northwest Florida district as Superintendent Emeritus, and continues to provide wisdom and guidance to fellow ministers of the gospel.