[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 39 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN MEMORY OF BISHOP LEONARD N. SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2022

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and 
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay homage to an outstanding 
man of God, published author, distinguished educator, life coach, and 
mentor, Bishop Leonard N. Smith. Bishop Smith transitioned from labor 
to reward on Sunday, February 20, 2022. His homegoing service will be 
held on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Mount Zion Baptist 
Church located at 18410 Chapel Drive in Triangle, Virginia. He leaves 
behind a loving family, his dedicated church congregation at the Mount 
Zion Baptist Church (MZBC), and an appreciative community for his 
extraordinary life of service to God and humankind.
  Bishop Leonard N. Smith was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised 
in Washington, D.C. He was a man of God, truly devoted to his calling--
a calling from God, passed to him through his grandmother, whose 
powerful Christian teachings would later become the base for his 
powerful sermons.
  Looking to further knowledge of the Word for himself and others, 
throughout his life, Bishop Smith pursued a bachelor's degree from 
Richmond Virginia Seminary, a master's degree in Divinity, and a Doctor 
of Ministry from the Virginia University of Lynchburg in addition to 
receiving nine honorary degrees. He also taught online classes at two 
seminaries as he furthered his own education.
  His commitment to pastoral ministry excellence began in 1985 when 
Union Baptist Church in Gordonsville, Virginia called on him to serve 
as their Pastor and spiritual leader. After four and half years at 
Union Baptist, Bishop Smith was chosen to shepherd the congregation at 
Rivermont Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1991, Mount Zion 
Baptist Church called him to become the successor to their then leader, 
Dr. Oswald G. Smith. Through Bishop Smith's dedicated leadership, Mount 
Zion grew both spiritually and numerically as it exemplified the 
teachings of Christ by provided tutoring, food assistance, financial 
and missions support to the surrounding community, and its residents as 
well as people and organizations throughout the state, nation, and 
world. Bishop Smith would go on to serve as the Senior Minister of 
Mount Zion Baptist Church for 30 years until his retirement from the 
ministry of God on December 31, 2021.
  Bishop Smith believed strongly that involvement in his communities 
was an integral part of his calling as a Minister of the Gospel of 
Jesus Christ. Accordingly, he served in numerous roles that had as 
their purpose the uplift of humankind. In addition to being the beloved 
Pastor of MZBC, he served proudly as the President of the Richmond, 
Virginia Seminary (2005 to 2008) and the President of the Virginia 
Baptist State Convention (2009 to 2012), where he served with 
integrity, innovation, and impassioned leadership. Bishop Smith was 
also involved with numerous county, denominational, educational, non-
profit, and state boards & commissions including the Arlington County 
Fire and Police Departments (where he served as the Chaplain); the 
Richmond Virginia Seminary (where he was the Chancellor); Virginia 
University (where he served as the Assistant to the President); the 
Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (where he was an active 
member who served in several capacities); the Global United Fellowship 
(where he was the Vice Presiding Bishop and the Global Leader of 
Pastors); and the Gospel Heritage Foundation (where he was an advisory 
board member).
  Bishop Smith was also a sought-after lecturer, teacher, and with the 
release of his book entitled, ``We Need to Talk: Saying What We Need to 
Say Without Hurting Each Other'', he was also an author.
  Bishop Smith accomplished much in his life, but none of it would have 
been possible without the Grace of God and the love and support of his 
family including his wife, Yalonda; his children, Tiffany and Phillip; 
and all those in his congregation and community.
  Mother Teresa once said that ``At the end of life we will not be 
judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have 
made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by whether 
``. . . when I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, when I was 
naked, you clothed me, and whether, when I was homeless, you took me 
in.'' Bishop Leonard N. Smith, in his life and ministry, did just that, 
for the ``least of these'', and the world is better because he did.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of 
Representatives to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with countless 
others throughout the nation in honoring Bishop Leonard N. Smith for 
his service to God, his ministry, to his country, and to humankind; and 
in extending our deepest condolences to Dr. Smith's family, friends, 
loved ones, and all those who mourn his loss. We pray that they will be 
consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the 
days, weeks, and months ahead.

                          ____________________