AL HR247

Pastor Derek L. Smith, born February 23, 1981, in Brooklyn, New York, is commended for his years of service as a pastor in New York, Florida, and Alabama.

Smith began his ministry at age six at New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Brooklyn, moved to Montgomery, Alabama at age 13, and was licensed and ordained to preach at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.

Smith served as pastor of Zion Hope in Jacksonville, Florida for three years, First Baptist Church of Elmore in Elmore County, Alabama, and First Baptist Church in Tallassee, Alabama for eight years.

Smith currently serves as pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Prattville, Alabama, where he has been serving for five years with the motto "Bible readers, Bible believers, and Bible doers make a strong Christian, and it takes a strong Christian to have a strong church."

The Alabama House of Representatives extends best wishes to Smith for continued prosperity and success in his pastoral work.