Rev. Dr. Norman W. Smith, Sr., celebrated his 48th year as pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Rectortown, in June 2009. His ministry is supported by his wife, Grace, three daughters, two daughters-in-law, two sons, a son-in-law, twelve granddaughters, two great granddaughters, and one great grandson.

During his time as the under shepherd, he has encouraged Mount Olive’s denominational involvement locally in the Northern Virginia Baptist Association, the Northern Virginia Baptist Sunday School & B.T.U. Convention, the Northern Virginia Baptist Center, and the Baptist Allied Bodies (now the Baptist General Convention). The church supports the work of The Progressive National Baptist Convention and world-wide mission efforts of The Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, and The Baptist World Alliance.

Rev. Smith, a graduate of the Washington Baptist Seminary, recently resigned as Chairman of the Executive Committee/Board of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention where he still serves as Chairman Emeritus. He has served as Moderator of the Northern Virginia Baptist Association (NVBA); Chairman of the Executive Board, NVBA; Catechizer for NVBA-preparing more than forty ministers for ordination; President of the Northern Virginia Baptist Minister’s Conference; and Chairman of the Northern Virginia Baptist Center Board. Rev. Smith has also served as Past Master, King Tyree Masonic Lodge 292, and President of the Fauquier County Branch of the NAACP.

On December 6, 1989, The Virginia Seminary and College bestowed upon Pastor Smith the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. Known as the Rectortown Extension, the Mount Olive church continues to be a teaching site for the now Virginia University of Lynchburg. During their Spring Convocation the Richmond Virginia Seminary awarded Rev. Smith the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.

On November 14, 2004, the Virginia University of Lynchburg presented Pastor Smith with an honorary Bachelor of Science degree in religious studies and a Master of Divinity degree.

He continues to serve as Trustee of the Northern Virginia Baptist Center Board; member of the Executive Committee/Board of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention; member of the Executive Board and Ordination Council of the Northern Virginia Baptist Association; and member of the Baptist World Aid Committee of the Baptist World Alliance.

Rev. Smith, like Paul, is appointed by God as a preacher, a pastor, and a teacher. His desire is to be true to his calling and to be used by God.