Bishop Ruth W. Smith-Holmes
Bishop Ruth W. SmithHolmes serves as Senior Pastor of Light of the World Christian Tabernacle International headquartered in Stockbridge, Georgia. She is a native of Greensboro, Alabama who moved to Atlanta in June 1970. In 1982, she married our founder, the Late Archbishop Jimmie Lee Smith. In 1990 she answered her call to the ministry and played a vital role in the organization and establishment of " The Light". She was ordained in 1991. Under their leadership, the Light grew from a membership of 400 to 1500 in a 4-year period. She was the catalyst behind the organization of The Light of the World Christian Academy. They served as a dynamic leadership team of Light of the World Christian Tabernacle International (LOTWCT) until his death.
Bishop Ruth currently serves as Archbishop of the Light of the World Interdenominational International Association having been the first female consecrated to the office of Bishop over an International Interdenominational Association or Doicese.
Recently, she married Dr. Rickie Holmes, who has joined the efforts of the Light of the World Christian Tabernacle team to fulfill the vision. They share six children and ten grandchildren who fully support the ministry.
Bishop Ruth is an innovator with bold ideas, high energy and a heart for helping people advance the Kingdom of God. She is a woman of faith having been saved at the age of 12 and filled with the Holy Spirit at the age of 27. She is civic minded participating in the school desegregation efforts in Hale County, Alabama. She has maintained involvement in community activities such as "Adopt a Student", United Way, Chamber of Commerce activities and by joining various organizations promoting healthcare awareness. She holds her Doctorate in Ministry from Biblical Life College and Seminary in Marshfield, Missouri. She is anointed to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, which she readily does worldwide. Her foundational scripture being Romans 8:28:
" For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and to those who are called according to his purpose."
