Rev. Dr. Rudolph Smith
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The Rev. Dr. Rudolph Smith, age 90, passed May 19, 2021. A 1948 honors graduate of Booker T. Washington HS, a 1961 magna cum laude graduate of Morris Brown College, and a 1964 magna cum laude graduate of the Interdenominational Theological Seminary, he was the first African-American Church of God pastor in Georgia to earn a M.Div. He was the founding pastor of Community Church of God in southwest Atlanta for 32 years before retiring in 1998.
A highly respected teacher, preacher, and visionary leader he was also a charter member of the Concerned Black Clergy (CBC) of Atlanta. Dr. Smith has served the church locally, state-wide, and nationally holding many leadership positions. He was most passionate about the In-Service Training Institute (ISTI), sponsored by the Leadership Development Board of the National Association of the Church of God, where he served as its dean-director for 20 years and rendered over 40 years of service as an instructor.
Dr. Smith was the recipient of two honorary degrees in 1991: The Doctor of Divinity from Warner Southern College (Lake Wales, FL) in February and The Doctor of Human Letters from Anderson University (Anderson, IN) in June.
Two scholarship are named in his honor: The Reverend Dr. Rudolph Smith Scholarship of Excellence by the Georgia Youth Inspirational Fellowship (YIF) of the Church of God and the Richardson Ecumenical Fellowship (REF) Rudolph Smith Scholarship at the Interdenominational Theological Center.
He was the recipient of numerous awards including the Legacy Award (2008) and the Distinguished Merit Award (2016) from the Concerned Black Clergy and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of the Church of God in 2017.
The author of two books, People of Color in the Bible and Stewardship More than Money, he also contributed to many Christian journals and magazines.
On May 19, 2021, The Rev. Dr. Rudolph Smith departed this life. He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Mrs. Edna Knowles Smith; two children, Rev. Dr. Michael Allan Smith (Felecia), and Rev. Cheryl Smith Benefield, 5 grandchildren and one great-grandson; four siblings, one aunt, and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, god children, sons and daughters in the ministry and his beloved Community Church of God family.
Anderson University educates students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 50 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 18 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult, graduate, and online programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized for excellence in business, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, music, nursing, psychology, and teacher education programs. Established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God, the university remains committed to its Christ-centered mission.