December 20, 2004

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. - National Ministries will establish the J. Alfred Smith Sr. Prophetic Justice Institute for the empowerment of prophetic justice advocates, in honor of Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr., senior pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland, Calif.

Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, National Ministries' executive director, announced the institute's establishment at a Dec. 16 breakfast gathering in American Baptist Churches USA Mission Center in Valley Forge, Pa.

"Dr. Smith's ministry has been embracing the world for 50 years, both as a prophet and teacher," Wright-Riggins said. "National Ministries is establishing the institute to thank him for the influence he has had on so many lives, including my own." The institute will teach "what it takes, what it means to become a prophet in the name of Jesus Christ. We want to be sure that happens in American Baptist Churches USA in the spirit of our brother and friend Dr. Smith."

A respected leader in the Black church tradition, Smith serves as professor of Christian Ministry at the American Baptist Seminary of the West and the Graduate Theological Union of Berkeley and as visiting professor at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is a past president of American Baptist Churches of the West.

Named one of the 15 best preachers in America by Ebony magazine, Smith and his ministry at Allen Temple have been featured in numerous media, including Ebony, Christianity Today, CNN, NBC's "Today Show," the Los Angeles Times and The American Baptist magazine. He has authored more than 16 books used by seminaries, congregations and scholars. His new book, On the Jericho Road: A Memoir of Racial Justice, Social Action and Prophetic Ministry, has just been published by InterVarsity Press.

Smith earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Golden Gate Seminary, a Master of Theology degree from American Baptist Seminary of the West, a Master of Theology degree and Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Missouri School of Religion and a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Baptist College.

American Baptist News Service