“It was my pleasure and honor to welcome Pastor Smith to Springfield to offer the invocation. Through his dedication to the community, Pastor Smith sets an example of helping and caring for senior families, veterans and those experiencing homelessness,” said Flowers. “It is these values we must keep in mind as we begin the work of crafting a new state budget.”
A former NFL player for the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, franchise owner and operator of a muffler shop, Smith later invested his time in seminary school in Lansing, Michigan while serving as a special education teacher and football coach. Smith assumed leadership of New Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago after his father, the founding pastor, retired. Smith is dedicated to growing his ministry and redeveloping the community.