About Pastor
Rev. Kenneth W. Smith, I
Reverend Kenneth W. Smith was born and raised in the small rural town of Hurtsboro, Alabama, where he lived until graduating from Russell High School. He continued his education at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama, earning a degree in Business Administration.
Reverend Smith served honorably in the United States Armed Forces for twenty-one years, retiring at the rank of Captain. During his military career, he graduated from the Command and General Staff College in 2004 and received two Army Commendation Medals (ARCOM).
Reverend Smith accepted his call to ministry in February 1999 and began his pastoral ministry in August 2004. Throughout his ministry, he has served the congregations of Saint James (Jasper), Mount Ararat (Alexandria), Star of Bethlehem (Moundville), Emory Chapel (Aliceville), Trinity (North), and currently serves as Pastor of Unity CME Church in Bessemer, Alabama.
His ministry has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Pastor of the Month Award from 105.5 FM in Birmingham and the 2008–2009 Model Minister of the Year Award for the Anniston District of the Birmingham Region of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. He served as Statistician for the Birmingham Region from 2009–2013 before being transferred to the North Central Alabama Region. In 2026, he was appointed to serve on the Birmingham Region Ministerial Examination Committee.
A significant part of Reverend Smith’s ministry and community service is his commitment to cancer awareness, advocacy, and research. After being diagnosed with cancer for the first time in 2005, he became deeply committed to encouraging others facing cancer and supporting efforts to advance cancer research. In March 2013, he organized an 18-mile cancer walk in partnership with the American Cancer Society, an effort that earned him the 2013 Life Inspiration Award from the American Cancer Society.
In 2022, Reverend Smith was diagnosed with cancer for a second time. He continues to navigate this ongoing journey with faith, courage, and determination. Rather than allowing his experience to silence his testimony, he has used it to strengthen his advocacy for cancer research and to encourage others who are walking through similar challenges. His life and ministry continue to testify to his belief that God remains present through every season, including seasons of uncertainty, treatment, recovery, and perseverance.
Reverend Smith is also passionate about health, fitness, and helping others pursue healthier lifestyles. In July 2016, he launched an online fitness ministry, Fitbit-ting and Determined, which has reached members from Massachusetts to Hawaii and has grown significantly since its inception. This ministry also inspired him to establish FITT with Ken, a personal training business through which he provides fitness services to clients.
Beyond the pulpit, Reverend Smith is affiliated with the Gospel Jubilees of Birmingham, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the American Cancer Society, and the Sickle Cell Foundation. He remains committed to serving God, strengthening the Church, encouraging the community, advocating for cancer research, and inspiring others to live with faith, purpose, and determination.
Reverend Smith is happily married to the former Jessimene Woods of Birmingham, Alabama. Together, they are the proud parents of four children and grandparents of three grandchildren: Jessica, Kendal, Kirsten, Kenneth II (KJ), Kadence, Kori, and Kreed.
His life story is a testimony of faith, service, resilience, and purpose. Through military service, pastoral ministry, community involvement, fitness advocacy, and his personal journey with cancer, Reverend Kenneth W. Smith continues to strive to be a servant leader whose life points others toward God and reminds them that adversity does not have to define their future.