Rev. Michael Allan Smith is a native Atlantan who answered the call to ministry in 1977. He is a graduate of Morehouse College where he earned a B.A. in Business Administration and minored in music and the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) where he graduated with an M.Div in Pastoral Care and Christian Education. In 1995, the Southern California School of Ministry conferred upon him the Doctor of Divinity degree.

He is married to Rev. Felecia Pearson Smith and they are the parents of two adult children, Allan Rudolph and Allyson Felecia Smith. Pastor Mike has served as pastor at three different congregations: Cove Road Church of God in Lafayette, GA (1980-1985), Cedar Avenue Church of God in Sharon, PA (1985-1998) and Community Church in Atlanta, GA (1998-present).

Pastor Mike has served as the Director of the In Service Training Institute (1996-2008) for the National Association of the Church of God, West Middlesex, PA. He also served as Associate Dean (1993-1995) and Director (1996-2009) of the In Service Training Institute (1993-1995), Task Force Committee (1994-1996), Program Committee 1988-1993 for the National Association and the Program Committee (1992-1995) for the International Church of God Convention in Anderson, IN.

While in Sharon, PA, Pastor Mike served as president of the Mercer County (PA) Branch NAACP (1993-1996); board member of Sanctuary, Inc. in Sharon, PA (1987-1990). He served as president of the Sharon (PA) Clergy Association (1989-1990) and served as chair of the credentials and nominating committee of the Church of God in Western Pennsylvania, Emlenton, PA (1990-1992).

Pastor Mike is a visionary leader who believes in the unity of believers and works diligently to develop ecumenical relationships. Since 1998 he has been a member of the Concerned Black Clergy, Atlanta GA. In 2001 he was instrumental in organizing the Cascade Ministerial Fellowship. As a community advocate, he also is a member of the mayor's Faith-Based Initiative Coalition and is the Founder and Chairman of the Community Empowerment and Develop Corporation, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating education, employment and housing opportunities for individuals and families in transition. Pastor Mike also serves on the Board of Morehouse School of Medicine.

Under Pastor Mike's leadership, Community Church continues to thrive, ministering to the real needs of our community and beyond and by expanding our outreach ministries through partnerships with Church on the Street and Safe House Ministries. His desire is to expand the kingdom of God by cultivating Community Church as a worshipping, word centered, and witnessing church.

Reverend Felecia Pearson Smith has dedicated herself fulltime to ministry with her husband, Pastor Michael A. Smith and serves as the Administrative Director of Community Church, as well as the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment Development Corporation, a faith based initiative developed by Community Church. She has also established herself as a speaker, instructor, scholar and community servant. Presently, she is an instructor for the In Service Training Institute at Anderson, University, facilitates women's conferences and preaches on a local and national level.

Reverend Smith is a graduate of Wesleyan College, Atlanta GA, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion. She also graduated from Candler School of Theology at Emory University where she became the first African American woman to enter and graduate with a Master of Divinity. In 1977 she was licensed and in 1985 she was ordained by the Georgia Ministerial Assembly of the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana.

Prior to recent leadership roles Reverend Smith served as the President/CEO of the Shenango Valley (PA) Urban League, Inc. She was also an adjunct faculty member at Westminster College and Penn State University's Shenango Campus and a founding member of the Minority Health Advocacy Committee. In 1998, Reverend Smith was appointed Director of the Bonner Scholars Program at Spelman College, and then in 2004 she was appointed Director of the new Bonner Office of Community Service and Student Development. As Director she took the program to new heights and executed her vision for the expansion of the culture of service on Spelman's campus.

Reverend Smith also earned several honors and awards including honorary membership to the Golden Key International Honor Society and in 2005 she was honored for being the first black female graduate from the Candler School of Theology at the program of Black Church Studies at Emory University.

Of all her accomplishments and accolades, she takes great pleasure in her personal relationship with God and her family. She is the mother of two adult children, Allan and Allyson. Reverend Smith is known to be a distinct woman of great character, integrity, and grace. In all she accomplishes, it is done with strength, balance and in truth. She believes that she "can do all things through Christ that strengthens her", this is a true testament of her walk, her faith, and all that that she continues to do for God.

The first organizational meeting for Community Church of God was held in January, 1966 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard (Manilla) Riley. Founding members were Pastor Rudolph Smith, his parents Bro. Andrew and Sis. Lizzie Smith,Sis. Annie Dixon, Sis. Pearl McClendon, Sis. Daisy Odum, Sis. Mollie Peters, Sis. Manilla Riley and Sis. Catheryn Smith. On February 27 of that same year, the first worship service for the newly established church was held in the chapel of Alphonso Dawson Mortuary, with services scheduled twice monthly.

Recognizing the need for more regular services, on May 1 the group moved to the home of Bro. Herman and Sis. Catheryn Smith and began meeting weekly. On October 2, 1966 the growing congregation relocated to the chapel of Hines Funeral Home. On May 17, 1970 the church moved to its present location at 850 Cascade Ave. Dr. James Earl Massey, professor at Anderson Theological Seminary, performed the dedicatory service. Pastor Rudolph Smith assumed full time pastoral responsibilities in September of 1973 and in less than three years, on January 25, 1976 the church burned the $60,000 mortgage on the Cascade Avenue property.

With a vision for the future, the church undertook its first major building fund campaign in 1978, beginning construction on the Cascade Ave. property in 1979. The new sanctuary was dedicated in 1980. Rev. Lawrence P. Wyatt, Chairman of the National Ministerial Assembly performed the dedicatory services. The mortgage on this property was retired six years later, on October 22, 1986.

Community Church of God has always had a heart for outreach, and in 1983 began its meal program for the needy. In 1985 the church purchased the Salvation Army Thrift Store adjacent to the church property. In time, this building would become known as VICARS (Volunteers in Community and Related Services), dedicated in 1989.

In February, 1996 Pastor Rudolph Smith celebrated 45 years of service in Christian ministry and 30 years as pastor of Community Church of God. He announced his retirement the following year, in January, 1997.

February 1998 marked the beginning of a new era in the church's history when Michael A. Smith was called as pastor-elect to succeed his father. The mantle was officially passed in May with the installation service on October 11, 1998 led by Bishop Timothy J. Clarke who served as vice chairman of the National Association of the Church of God.

Under Pastor Michael's visionary leadership our congregation has made several transitions which have enriched our fellowship including our worship celebration, organizational structure and technological advances. We have purchased four additional properties including the Rudolph Smith Ministry Center, a church van, and have increased membership, finances and ministries.

Our worship celebration has expanded to include the Praise Team, the ministry of Silent Worship, the Perpetual Praise Dancers and the inclusion of multimedia technology. Our children have been incorporated more into the worship experience with the inclusion of Children's Story Time before they exit for Children's Church.

During Pastor Michael's administration a greater emphasis has been placed on community outreach programs. The church has partnered with Church on the Street and Pastor Kurt Salierno, on Friday evenings during the summer provides block parties to the community on our church property, and ministers at Safe House every third Sunday evening.

We continue to provide a city-wide recognized food pantry to the community. Additionally, our local outreach ministries include prison, hospital, nursing home, grief counseling, health resources, and addiction counseling and support group. The bus ministry has expanded to picking up children from several apartment complexes in our surrounding areas. Our overseas outreach continues to include ministries in Nevis, St. Kitts, Kenya and Nigeria.

VICARS continues to be the meeting place for the Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta every Monday morning. Both Pastor Michael and Pastor Emeritus are viable members of this esteemed organization.

Truly God has blessed Community Church of God, as over 40 ministries have been birthed in this congregation, including the newsletter, bereavement, intercessory prayer, conservation and discipleship as well as ministries specifically for couples, singles, seniors, young adults, men, women, youth and children.