lder Ronald E. Smith, Sr. was born on April 12, 1949, to Claude and Annabelle Smith. He grew up in the Woodlawn Community and has been a member of the Apostolic Church of God since childhood. His faith was nurtured by his mother, Annabelle, who was very active in the church.

Ronald graduated from Simeon Vocational High School in 1967, and soon after began his military service in the United States Marine Corps.  He served with valor in the Vietnam War. After his tour of duty, he was honorably discharged and received six medals of commendation including the Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry.  He worked for the Chicago Transit Authority for 25 years to support his family. He also attended Kennedy-King College and Moody Bible Institute. After returning home from Vietnam, he married his childhood sweetheart, Dolene Clemons. Ronald celebrates 48 years of marriage with Dolene.  He is the father of three children and four grandchildren.

Ronald’s community work began in his teens when his pastor, then Elder Arthur Brazier, was beginning his work with The Woodlawn Association (T.W.O.). Working with community organizers, Ronald became the Vice President and later the Chairman of the Youth Committee of T.W.O. during the time when the organization was instrumental in desegregating Chicago’s schools. Over the years, his community involvement has included serving on the Board of Directors of the Woodlawn Preservation and Investment Corporation, becoming President of the Hyde Park High School Local School Council, and completing his tenure as a board member of the Park Shore East Cooperative.   

In 1975, Ronald accepted the call to ministry.  His first assignment was the care of the pastor. For 35 years he served as an armor bearer for the late Bishop Arthur M. Brazier. His thirst for souls to be saved and passion for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ without hesitation is the basis for his mantra: “You must be born again.” In 1990, he was ordained and elevated to Elder.  When he retired from CTA in 1997, he devoted himself to the full-time ministry of the Gospel. Committed to the work of the Lord, he has always been a stalwart volunteer in the church. His faithful volunteer service includes the choir, Prison Outreach Ministry, the Internal Security Ministry, Saving Grace Ministries (Television), and the Baptismal and Prayer Committee.  He served as the Vice-President and President of the Apostolic Church of God Men’s Ministry before working on the Men’s Ministry Leadership Team. His service also includes being elected to various leadership roles at state and national levels of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW).  He was elected Young People’s President, state Brotherhood Chairman, and President of the International Men’s Ministry.  Ronald’s commitment to supporting men’s ministry was always evident.  Therefore, on May 9, 1995, he began teaching an evening class for men known as The Apostolic Man. Twenty-three years later, over 1000 men have been saved through that class.

In 2008, Elder Ronald E. Smith was elevated to Assistant Pastor at the Apostolic Church of God under the pastorate of Dr. Byron T. Brazier.  He serves on the Official Board and leads the Seniors Ministry for the church. He regularly teaches, preaches, gives counsel to church members, and officiates funerals and weddings.