BISHOP HORACE E. SMITH, M.D.

Dr. Horace E. Smith graduated an honor student from the Lindblom High School in Chicago, Illinois and continued his education, becoming a recipient of the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Science (with honors) Chicago State University (1971)
• M.D., University of Illinois Medical Center (1975)
• Completion of Pediatric Residency, University of Illinois Hospital (1978)
• Completion of Clinical Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Children’s Memorial Hospital/Northwestern University (1980)

Dr. Smith is director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell/Thalassemia Program at Children’s Memorial Hospital; serves as Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern Medical School, and is recognized world-wide as an outstanding pediatrician in his field.

Dr. Smith became pastor of the Apostolic Faith Church on March 28, 1980. He was appointed a District Elder of the Illinois District Council (I.D.C.) of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (P.A.W.) in 1983; served as Chairman of the I.D.C. from 1986-1991; appointed to the Board of Aenon Bible College of the P.A.W. in 1989; appointed a Suffragan Bishop in 1994; served as the General Secretary of the P.A.W. 1996-1997, and was elevated to the office of Bishop in August 1997.

In June 1998, Dr. Smith was installed as Diocesan Bishop of the 14th Episcopal District of the P.A.W., which includes the states of Kansas, Colorado, and Western Missouri. On Thursday, July 29, 2004, Bishop Smith was elected to the office of Presiding Bishop of the PAW and served two full terms until August of 2010.

Dr. Smith serves on the Board of the historic Wabash YMCA, which was purchased by four community churches, including Apostolic Faith Church. The churches redeveloped and reshaped the Y for community services, including SRO housing. Since 2001, Dr. Smith has also served as a Board Member of the Family Institute at Northwestern University, World Vision International and more recently as a member of the Chicago Board of Health.

In 2002, Dr. Smith and the Apostolic Faith Church partnered with World Vision to sponsor orphaned children whose parents died as a result of HIV/AIDS. To date, over 1000 children have been adopted by members of the congregation. Dr. and Sis. Smith have traveled to South Africa, along with World Vision, to view first-hand the devastation caused by the AIDS virus.

Dr. Smith is an avid and accomplished Bible scholar and has been part of many organizations within the church, from its Boy Scout Troop of his youth to singing in the choirs. His dedicated ministry reaches not only the congregation but, his belief in God and the power of salvation and healing extends to his medical profession as a concerned and committed pediatrician (specializing in hematology/oncology) for critically ill children. Through his prayers and faith in God as a healer, Dr. Smith has seen God’s healing power reverse the course of illness in the lives of his patients.

Bishop Smith has been happily married to Susan Davenport Smith since 1976. They met at the University of Illinois where Susan graduated with a B.S. in Pharmacy. They have three beautiful daughters: Lauren Elrod, Rachel Horton and Emily Green along with their sons-in-law Brian Elrod, Courtney Horton, Patrick Green, and 7 wonderful grandchildren.