2020 Distinguished Service to the Church

Reverend Felecia Pearson Smith, Class of 1974

According to Reverend Felecia Pearson Smith, “God has always been working in my life - guiding, leading, and loving me all the way. It has been my honor and privilege to serve wherever God was leading, even beyond the four walls of the church.” 

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Felecia grew up feeling called to the ministry during a time when few African American women were entering the profession. Her journey into ministry began at Wesleyan College where she was mentored by three professors - Dr. Harry Gilmer, Dr. Walter Brown, and Dr. Jacob Quiambao, who encouraged her to pursue her goals.

Felecia said, “‘I found my voice at Wesleyan but I had no idea at the time that I would be making history at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.” After graduating from Wesleyan cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in religion, Felecia earned the distinction of being the first African American woman to be admitted and to graduate from the Candler School of Theology with a master’s degree in divinity. 

Throughout the years other recognitions would follow. In 2005, the Program of Black Church Studies at Emory honored her for being the first African American woman graduate of the School of Theology. In 2010, Felecia was chosen as a fellow in the Black Women Ministerial Leadership Program at the Interdenominational Theological Center. In 2015, the Black Student Caucus of Candler School Theology named her the recipient of the first annual “Felecia Pearson Smith Trail Blazer Award” for significant leadership in the church. 

Licensed in 1977 and ordained in 1985 by the Georgia Ministerial Assembly of the Church of God, Felecia’s work in the nonprofit world was her pulpit for many years. She served as president/CEO of the Shenango Valley Urban League in Pennsylvania from 1995-1998 then returned to Atlanta to serve as director of the Bonner Office of Community Service and Student Development at Spelman College for ten years. 

As the current executive pastor of Community Church of God in Atlanta, Felecia leads a myriad of ministries along with her husband and senior pastor Michael Smith. While she develops policy for the overall operation of the ministry, it is her outreach to women and especially to pastors’ wives that has been a focus of her faith career.

In 2009, Felecia launched Metamorphosis Ministries Inc., (renamed Metamorphosis Leads, Inc. in 2015) her ministry for senior pastors’ wives that helps each participant find her own voice and unique path. She is the state coordinator for the Georgia Fellowship of Women’s Ministry, co-founder of Cascade Clergy Spouses, and member of the Atlanta Chapter of Ministers’ Wives and Widows. 

A noted speaker, preacher, and women’s conference leader both locally and nationally, Felecia serves as a coach for the Church of God Ministries and has created a course “Finding Your Voice Amidst the Noise in the Sanctuary” that speaks especially to women. She also teaches online classes, hosts a weekly Facebook Live discussion, and is the author of My Hair My Marriage.

Being faithful to her alma mater is also important to Felecia. She supports the annual fund, has returned to campus as a panelist during Black History Month, participated in the “Telling Our Stories” convocation, and has worked with campus leaders on diversity and inclusion efforts. She is a Wesleyan woman of distinction who believes her accomplishments were achieved with strength, balance, and faith.