Pastor Bernard C. Smith is a native of Philadelphia. Reared here, he attended and graduated the Philadelphia Public School System and furthered his education by attending Penn State University and Antioch University, earning the equivalent of an Associates Degree in Human Services.

 

The Lord called Pastor Smith to the work of ministry, preaching and teaching the gospel of Christ, at age 17. Preparation for the task led him to study at the Main Bible Institute and Manna Bible Institute. A counseling ministry developed as he continued to share the gospel to hurting and searching individuals. He has maintained as a motto for himself – "there is always hope, if you trust in God".  Ever before him is the commissioning verse which the Lord gave him upon his call to service. Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”  Therein his vision for his ministry was set.

 

The congregation at Mount Vernon Baptist Church called Reverend Smith to serve as pastor in 1988. His ministry and prayers are for the development of more workers in the vineyard through training and opportunity given at Mount Vernon. He loves his congregation and that emotion is returned to him by each of them, especially the little people. The children are his special congregation. Prayer is the central theme for the church and God has honored their prayers.

 

Pastor Smith is the father of four, three sons and one daughter. He has three daughters-in law, one son-in-law, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His desire is that you pray with him for families everywhere and most assuredly LOST SOULS.

 

People are trying to find their way. We know the way. Help them find JESUS.