I just returned home from spending three days at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND. The college invited several guest to come and share about ministry in rural America. The President of Trinity, Jack Strom, is passionate about training their students to reach rural America.
One of the individuals I was blessed to hear from was Zollie Smith.
Zollie L. Smith Jr. was elected executive director of Assemblies of God U.S. Missions at the 52nd General Council in August 2007. Smith coordinates the ministries of six departments: Church Planting; Chaplaincy Ministries; Teen Challenge International, USA; Chi Alpha Campus Ministries; Intercultural Ministries; and U.S. Mission America Placement Service (MAPS).
Prior to U.S. missions, Smith served as the Executive Presbyter representing the Ethnic Fellowships and as president of the National Black Fellowship. He served the New Jersey District of the Assemblies of God as assistant superintendent (1998-2005) and as executive secretary (2005-07).
Smith served as pastor of Eternal Life Christian Center (ELCC) of the Assemblies of God, Somerset, New Jersey for 15 years. During his pastorate, the church grew to over 300 members and completed a $2.7 million educational enrichment center. Prior to ELCC, Smith pioneered a church that later became Plainfield Assembly of God, a New Jersey district affiliate.
Smith has spent his life in service as a former police officer/detective; U.S. Postal Inspector; and Airborne Infantryman in the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. (Info. from www.ag.org) (Watch a video of Zollie, ff to 30 minutes)
Zollie Smith is a man with a passion. His heart can be described in one phrase, "That none parish". Zollie encouraged those in attendance to make an impact where you are and to not get discouraged when it's not going your way. '"The steps of a righteous person are ordered of the Lord'". I was personally refreshed by Zollie's vision to reach America with the Good News of Jesus Christ. I feel blessed to have such incredible leadership in the Assemblies of God.
1 comment:
I would like to say. That I did see these pictures before you talked about it today at church. Having a cowboy church would be interesting. So if I would have been at church I would have raise my hand. Hope all is well. Keep doing the great job that you are doing. Josh
Post a Comment