About our Pastor
Jeffrey S. Smale, was born April 29, 1959, in Toledo, Ohio, to Bruce and Deanne Smale. He was saved at the age of 9 at a neighborhood backyard Bible club. At age 18, he moved to Columbus, Ohio, to attend Technical college. While there, he was invited to an Independent Baptist Church, where he surrendered to preach under Dr. Curtis Hutson. In 1979 he married his wife Mollie, whom he met at the church, and left for Hyles-Anderson College under Dr. Jack Hyles. The Smales have 11 children, 7 of whom they adopted. They currently live in Akron, Ohio.
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Theology, Hyles-Anderson College 1986
Master of Theology, Empire Baptist College, 1990
Doctor of Theology, Atlantic Baptist College, 1992
Pastorates:
Richmond Baptist Church, Richmond, Indiana (1 year)
Madeira Baptist Church, Cincinnati, Ohio (5 years)
Victory Baptist Temple (24 years)
Lake Avenue Baptist Church
Calvary Baptist Church, Akron, Ohio
Administrations:
Heritage Baptist Academy, (Administrator) Canal Winchester, Ohio (2 years)
Lone Star Baptist College, (Vice President) Mesquite, Texas (2 years)
Independent Baptist Online College (President) Mansfield, Ohio (2015 – 2023)
His Family
The Smales have 11 children ranging from 34 years old to 10 years old. Their son, Brady, followed him as the Pastor of the Lake Ave. Baptist Church in 2019. Their daughter, Lauren, is the Music Coordinator at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Chico, California. Their son Weston, is the Music Director at LABC since 2017 and has become a soloist being used in conferences and revivals.
His wife Mollie, is an accomplished singer, pianist and songwriter as well as an author and Ladies Speaker. Her books include "For this child I prayed" about the life of their daughter Hannah and has a new detailed Sunday School curriculum book coming out entitled "What the Animals Teach US" She has been a pioneer in the Special Needs Ministry in the church.
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Pastor and Mrs Smale have been married since October 1979. They both have been bus captains, Sunday School teachers, soulwinners, conference speakers, and friends to those who are also in the ministry.
Dr. and Mrs. Smale founded the” Gems and Jewels” ministry to children and adults with special needs in 1990. Dr. Smale has helped to start these ministries in 33 other churches. Each week, these 33 ministries total well over 500 adults and children with their families in attendance in Independent Baptist Churches across America.