PASTOR DAVID A. SMITH
As a “homegrown” product of Washington, D. C., David A. Smith’s life epitomizes the expression, “local man makes good!” His significant life began when he decided to turn his life over to the Lord in the early eighties. Those were indeed times of upheaval in American society, without question! However, for David, it became one of the best times of his life because he was born again and came under the covering and mentorship of Bishop Juanita E. Turner, pastor of The New Covenant Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. She would prove to be one of the most influential figures in his life—particularly during those early years. As a babe in Christ, Brother Smith desired to have the sincere milk of the Word of God.
He truly wanted to get to know this God Who had brought him over hills and mountains to his place of peace and purpose. David drank deeply from that cup until he was strong enough to eat the meat of the Word. Having received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost in the early autumn of 1983, he allowed Bishop Turner to nurture him through those all-important training years. As he became established in the faith, that teaching would ultimately bring David Smith into many areas of great destiny. As he walked with his teacher, Pastor Turner (who would eventually become his mother-in-law), God began to deal with David about elevated servanthood; He spoke to him in dreams and through many prophetic utterances.
By this time, it was 1985, and he and the former Adrienne R. Turner became one. Though they were the busy parents of three, Ebony, K. W., and Jeremy, David could not dismiss that God continued speaking with him about walking in higher dimensions as a leader in His kingdom. For example, while he and his wife, Adrienne, were visiting Bishop Walter Kearse in Augusta, Georgia, he received a word from God that the baton would be passed down to both of them. It would be years later before that prophetic word would come to pass, but David experienced and pondered the things of God in his heart. Pastor Turner recognized the gifts and calling of God in Brother Smith’s life, and in 1987, she ordained him and Adrienne as deacons of the church. They faithfully served in that capacity for nine years. Afterward, God elevated them to the office of minister. For seven years, David dutifully occupied that position by teaching Sunday School, serving as a tribal leader, working as the assistant leader of the men’s fellowship, and later becoming its director. All the while, he kept attending to the buildings and grounds of New Covenant Church. On many hot summer days, he could be seen mowing the vast lawns surrounding the church or walking the hallways with a wrench in his hand, or doing something in the boiler room to make the environment—summer or winter—more comfortable.
David has a real servant’s heart and becoming the facilities manager only enhanced that truth. In 2003, God demanded David’s willingness to serve His people: he was ordained as an elder in The New Covenant Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is always so willing to offer his gifts to the ministry wherever Bishop Turner needs him to serve, and time and time again, David has proven himself to be a faithful steward over the work of his hands. One may ask where is Elder David A. Smith in his upward quest at this point in his life. He is certainly a family man. He loves his family, his family, and those 12 grandchildren: Daniel, Jason, Jelani, Mekhi, Kynadi, Jalil, Simone, Jeremy, Jr., Emory, Sydney, Austin, and Summer. They occupy a large portion of his time. His academic value was established when he graduated with honors with a Master of Arts degree in Christian Education after receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Divinity.
Pastor David A. Smith’s exemplary life has demonstrated the grace of God to the people of God. Bishop Turner’s wisdom, spiritual guidance, and godly counsel have helped propel this kingdom man into the place spoken over his life so many years ago. David indeed continues to provide diligent, faithful, and commendable service to the Body of Christ in such a time as this.
PASTOR ADRIENNE T. SMITH
Born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area, Adrienne R. Smith was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost at the early age of seven. As a child, she had no idea that she was being groomed for ministry. Often, Adrienne could be found observing the experienced mothers in Zion praying, crusading, preaching and teaching the Word of God and being excellent patterns for her own future role in the Lord’s work. During the formative years when the things of God are being worked into one’s life fabric, Adrienne’s consisted of praying for the elderly and witnessing the healing power of Jesus in their lives. Even then, she was being prepared for greater ministry.
In the year 1982, Adrienne’s mother, Bishop Juanita E. Turner, was ordained as a pastor. Needless to say, becoming a pastor was a unique milestone in this faithful servant’s own experiences as well as in the ultimate destiny of her daughter, Adrienne. As such, that elevation served as the backdrop for the beginning stage of Adrienne’s journey into God’s deeper dealings with her; it was at that time that she truly began to embrace a divine purpose for her life.
Adrienne married David A. Smith in 1985; they both were ordained as deacons of the church in 1987. During those years of serving the Pastor and The New Covenant Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, this young lady gained valuable experience and spiritual insights into servanthood—cleaning the church, ushering and preparing for such church ordinances as baptism and communion—all became commonplace for Adrienne Smith. She learned how to serve in the ministry in whatever capacity she was needed. As well, she took on a leadership role over a tribe (cell group) with another elder in the church and all the while, Adrienne had one of the best mentors in the world by her side—her mother! As Bishop Turner’s adjutant, the training and experience she gained in learning how to rightly divide the Word of Truth would serve her well in her subsequent offices.
It was in 1994 that God called Adrienne off of her job to work full time in the ministry that her mother had begun a dozen years earlier. Her keen giftings in administration prompted her to develop an Office of Administration for the church. As the administrator, Adrienne became a tremendous asset to the house by improving its overall function and operations. After serving as a deacon for nine years, she and David were elevated in the ministry. Becoming a minister afforded her the opportunity to preach on scheduled Sunday nights along with the tenured elders of the church.
After seven years of dedicated service as a minister, she and David were once again given greater responsibilities as ordained elders of New Covenant Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Adrienne and her husband together had been on the Potter’s wheel (Jeremiah 18:1-5) for many years as a couple, but even before then, as a young woman searching for her place in the divine economy of God, the Master Craftsman had had His hands upon her and had led her in divers pathways according to His will and purpose for her life. Every experience has enabled her to capture the ministry vision of New Covenant Church: that of becoming a “healthy-functioning body…” with every member fulfilling his/her part in the kingdom of God in a larger measure.
What lies ahead for this mother of three—Ebony, Kenneth and Jeremy and grandmother of nine, Daniel, Jason, Jelani, Mekhi, Kynadi, Jalil, Jeremy, Jr., Emory and Sydney. Adrienne has received, with honors, her Master of Arts degree in Christian Education, her baccalaureate and her associate degrees in Divinity.
Pastor Adrienne R. Smith’s consuming passion is to train other leaders and to enable them to discover their respective places in the Body of Christ so that God’s supreme will and purpose can be walked out in their lives. This power couple is destined to raise up a mighty army for the Kingdom of God and to Him goes all of the glory, honor and praise!