LEADERSHIP
Moderator, Reverend David L. Smith, Sr.
Reverend David L. Smith, Sr. is a native of Dillon, South Carolina, and son of the late David
Junior Smith and Annie Ruth McDuffie-Smith. Reverend Smith’s 20+ years in Christian ministry
attest to his Kingdom service and laid the foundation for his current assignments as Pastor and
Moderator. Reverend Smith was licensed and ordained through Union Missionary Baptist
Church – Jacksonville and the Trent River Oakey Grove Missionary Baptist Association in
Jacksonville, North Carolina. In 2017, Reverend Smith was installed as Pastor of Bethlehem
Missionary Baptist Church in Winnabow, North Carolina, where he currently serves. In 2020, he
was elected 1st Vice Moderator of the Middle District Missionary Baptist Association (MDMBA),
Inc. in Burgaw, North Carolina. In 2024, Reverend was elected Moderator of the MDMBA, Inc.
After graduating from Dillon High School (1993), Reverend Smith enlisted in the United States
Marine Corps. During his 26+ years of honorable service, he completed four combat tours, and
reached the terminal rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five. Reverend Smith holds a Bachelor of
Arts in Communication Studies from Regent University, a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, and a Master of Arts in Practical Theology from
Regent University. He is currently a candidate in the Regent University School of Divinity’s
Doctor of Ministry program, with a concentration in Christian Leadership & Renewal.
Reverend Smith is married to the former Natalie Bizzell, licensed minster, and Lady of
Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. They have two daughters; Amanda Perkins and Morgan
Daugherty, two sons; Phillip Smith and David Smith II; one son-in-law; Jonathan Perkins, and
two granddaughters; Lillian and Maya Perkins. Reverend Smith believes the Great Commission
is the foundational purpose of every Christian and Christian ministry, sanctified to bring glory to
Jesus Christ through worship, discipleship, evangelism, and service. His favorite Scripture is
John 1:46, “And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?
Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
