Our Leaders
PASTOR
Reverend Jerrold W. Smith, Jr.
Born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, Rev. Jerrold W. Smith, Jr., is the second of four children to the union of Elder Jerrold W. Smith, Sr., D.D.S, and Patricia D. Jackson. Rev. Jay, as he is affectionately known, was brought up in a loving Christian home and taught by example to love and serve God.
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At an early age, Rev. Jay professed faith in Christ and was baptized shortly thereafter. Growing up in the church, he became involved in various ministries such as the youth choir and junior deacons. In June of 2011, the Lord spoke to through the Holy Writ in 1 Samuel 15:22(b) which states, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” It became clear and apparent that the Lord wanted him to accept the call to the Gospel ministry.
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Rev. Jay earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University and a Master of Divinity degree (cum laude) from New Brunswick Theological Seminary.
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Rev. Jay currently serves as the newly installed Pastor of the House of Prayer & Evangelism (HOPE) Church in Bound Brook, New Jersey, where he passionately shares the Gospel message in an effort to make disciples of the Lord Jesus the Christ. He also serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Congress of Christian Education in the General Baptist Convention of New Jersey, the President of the Congress of Christian Education in the Middlesex Central Baptist Association, and the Men’s Ministry instructor for the District Union #1 of Central Jersey.
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By vocation, Rev. Jay is a Board-Certified Chaplain endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
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Rev. Jay is blessed to be married to his college sweetheart-the unequivocally gorgeous Minister Kalisha D. Smith. Together, they have five amazing daughters-Kayla, Kennedi, Kamryn, Kyndall and KaiLee.
FIRST LADY
Minister Kalisha Smith, LCSW
Kalisha Smith earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University where she majored in Biology; she has also received a Master of Social Work degree from The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.
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Kalisha is a New Jersey licensed clinical social worker who has a focused desire aimed at helping to meet the socioeconomic, emotional, and spiritual needs of those within the community. Kalisha has been privileged to work in the social service profession for the past 17 years. Throughout her professional career, she has worked with adolescent parents, survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence as well as youth and families in crisis.
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Kalisha is the owner and lead therapist of Wise Counsel Services, LLC. Wise Counsel Services offers individual, family, and group counseling services for adolescents and adults with a faith based emphasis. Wise Counsel Services also provides trainings for the community on an array of topics including Suicide Prevention, Parenting Skills, and the Intersection of Faith and Mental Health Services.
Kalisha serves as an associate minister at the House of Prayer and Evangelism (HOPE Church) in Bound Brook. Here she assists with providing Pastoral Counseling and linking congregants to community resources. Kalisha also coordinates the Annual Community Christmas Outreach which provides the local community with essentials, dinner, and Christmas gifts for children.
