Album Notes

Bishop Keith C. Smith

On October 19, 1964, Keith Cornell Smith was born to Mr. & Mrs. Ruben Smith, Sr. in
Cleveland, Mississippi. He is the youngest of five children; he has two brothers and two sisters. Keith was reared in a God fearing home, along with his brothers and sisters.

He attended H. M. Nailor Elementary School, and it was there while on the playground the Lord called Keith to preach. He was ten years old and in the fifth grade. Keith came home from school that day and told his older sister Carol that the Lord had called him to preach. After having many discussions with his parents, Keith started his journey in the ministry. He and his father spent many, many hours studying the word of God.

Keith preached his first sermon on Christmas Day of 1974, at the United Missionary Baptist Church in Cleveland, Mississippi where the Rev. Sammie Rash is still the Pastor.
Keith was ordained on January 12, 1975 by Rev. Rash.

Bishop Keith Smith immediately went about his Father's business. He became an Evangelist, traveling the country preaching God's Word. His first stop was Pittsburgh, California where he preached his first City Wide Revival. Bishop Smith spent the next eight years traveling the countryside spreading the Gospel. In 1975, Bishop recorded his first album "Be Ready Judgment Day is Coming". Over the next five years, Bishop Smith went on to record three more albums, "Christ is the Hope of the World" and "Ain't No Stopping Me Now" parts one and two.

Bishop preached for the late Rev. James Cleveland at the workshop in Detroit in August of 1979 to a massive crowd of seven thousand. He was one of three preachers to pack out the historical Mercy Seat Baptist Church Chicago Illinois. The others were the late Rev. C. L. Franklin and Rev. Jasper Williams. As you see, Bishop was in good company. He has also preached for many great Men of God, such as Jasper Williams, E. V. Hill, Donald Parson, Paul Morton, and innumerable times in the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. But Bishop has never stopped striving to be the man that God has called him to be.

Bishop received a Bachelor Degree from Magnolia Baptist Bible College. After leaving Arkansas the Lord sent him to the Friendship Baptist Church in Ft. Pierce, Florida. When his work was done there, he and his family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he became to pastor of the "Higher Dimension Missionary Baptist Church".

Bishop Smith later relocated to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he met and married the former, Gytanna Ellis. Bishop and Mrs. Smith are the proud parents of Jeneshia, Shawn, Vincent, Brandon and Dennis. Bishop Smith has been a citizen of the upstate for 10 years. Bishop Smith was consecrated Bishop in August 2002 as a part of the Grace International Fellowship in Milwaukee, WI He currently serves on the council of bishops of Grace International Fellowship.

In February of 2003, Bishop Smith organized the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Bible Church. Having its first services in the Magnolia Room of the Ramada Inn on I-85 and I-26 and now relocated to 570 Magnolia Street. It was truly a move of God. The sanctuary was totally renovated, new instruments, new sound equipment and digital equipment for the television ministry was acquired. He also transformed the existing children's daycare ministry, which housed 20 children to an enrollment of 80 children today. This ministry also provides after school care for underprivileged neighborhood children at no charge to enhance their quality of life. It also provides food pantry and clothing ministry where people come weekly to receive assistance. It is the vision of Bishop to revitalize the magnolia, ridge street area with affordable housing and to give people a hand up not a hand out. Plans are being drawn as we speak for this area. In 2005 the ministry will be acquiring a boarding home for teenagers who are on the street and for teenage pregnant mothers. The ministry has 25 adopted homes in the Northside and Oakview community, which it provides all the monthly necessities. We look forward in January 2005 to renovations on the daycare center, due to a grant received from the city.


It is our prayer that the Lord will keep Bishop Smith with his mind stayed on him. Ever striving to do ministry in the heart of the urban community and we look forward to 30 more years.

For any additional information or bookings for Concerts or Preaching Engagements, please call

864 582-2899 Church

Meek Records is rolling with excellent again. Listen to our new release " Going to Church" with Bishop Keith C. Smith. Bishop was nominated in 2003 for a Stella Award
for "Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year"for his deput CD "Old Time Churchin" Bishop Smith deliverance, anointing and emotional depth distinguishes him from most gospel artist. After listen to this CD you will believe that you have visited the sovereign state of Mississippi. Down Home Heritage is experience in the songs on this CD.