BISHOP RUTH W. SMITH serves as Senior Pastor, Light of the World Christian Tabernacle International, Headquartered in Stockbridge, Georgia. She is a native of Greensboro, Alabama and moved to Atlanta in June 1970. She attended both Massey Business College and Georgia State University. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in counseling from Biblical Life College and Seminary, Marshfield, Missouri. Additionally, she received her Masters Degree in Biblical Counseling in 2007 and received her Doctorate of Ministry in 2008.  In 1982 she married the Late Archbishop Jimmie L. Smith. He served as Archbishop of the Light of the World Interdenominational International Association and Senior Pastor of Light of the World Christian Tabernacle International until his death. She has five children and ten grandchildren who fully support her ministry. 

Bishop Ruth W. Smith is an innovator with bold ideas, high energy and a heart for helping people advance the Kingdom of God.  Bishop Ruth and her sister Ann were two of the African-American students who integrated the white public school system in Greensboro. She was saved at the age of 12 and filled with the Holy Spirit at the age 29. In 1990 she answered her call to the ministry and helped organized “The Light” with her late husband. She was ordained in 1991.The church grew from a membership of 400 to 1500 in a 4-year period. The Light has grown to a maturity of not counting members, but making members count.

The Light has a Men’s, Women’s, Children’s, Lighthouse Care Ministry, Audio/Video Ministries just to name a few. Visit our staff directory for a complete list of all our ministries.  She also assisted in organizing the Light of the World Christian Academy. Bishop Ruth and her late husband were inspired by the Holy Spirit to strengthen unity both nationally and internationally. They developed the Light of the World Interdenominational International Association, a non-profit Christian organization with a membership of over 200,000 in 13 different countries, she serves as Presiding Prelate. Bishop Ruth is known throughout the world as a “Messenger with a Word in Season” and has become a world traveler sharing her gifts of administration, teaching and pastoring. She has ministered in places such as Ghana, West Africa; Madras, India; London, England; Nassau, Bahamas; Paris, France; Jamaica, WI; Germany; Trinidad; Belize; Kenya and numerous other countries as well as throughout the United States.

Bishop Ruth worked for BellSouth for 19 years having retired in June 1995 to fully support her role as wife, mother and minister. During her tenure with BellSouth, she was a result driven marketing manager. She helped move Southern Bell into hardware sales by participating on the Divestiture Transition Team, managed the trial of outbound network sales with the Telemarketing Sales Representative and made the President’s circle of excellence. At BellSouth she also developed and implemented training programs for Service Representatives.  She has been involved in numerous community activities such as the “Adopt a Student” Program, United Way, and numerous Chamber of Commerce activities.

The anointing is truly upon this dedicated woman of God to go forth into all the world and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

http://www.bishopruth.org/index.html

To hear and see messages from Bishop Ruth, click http://www.comeintothelight.org/media.asp

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