Dionte Smith, 29
Pastor, Teacher
Employer: Impact Worship Center
Lives in: Kingsland
Professional responsibilities: As a pastor: Preparing weekly sermons, preaching and conducting weekly worship services. I also provide care and counseling to church members and assist them in crisis situations. As a teacher: Use a variety of teaching methods and materials to educate students about a particular subject area, providing specialist knowledge on this topic.
Accomplishments/Honors: 2021 - Emerging Leader Award, 2020 - Providence Award for Exceptional Leadership.
Community Involvement: I serve on the board of the Camden County Freedom and Justice Coalition, which handles the annual Juneteenth Celebration, and also for fighting social injustices.
Why did you go into your particular field? Pastoring and education has always been fields I’ve been interested in since my youth. I found joy in leading and teaching people to become the best version of themselves by using the tools and gifts God blessed me with. Building the Kingdom of God and teaching children our future gives me such joy!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Teacher, pastor and anesthesiologist.
What was your first job? Cashier at Harvey’s Supermarket
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? 1. You’ll never be big if little got you. 2. The purest form of of activism is teaching children well! 3. Always remain integral and intentional.
What’s your favorite thing about your job? As a pastor, seeing souls come to Christ and people hungry for God. As a teacher, watching children grow and enjoy learning. Seeing the joy on a child’s face when they finally master a lesson is worth millions!
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? That I cannot wear my feelings on my shoulders. That my mistakes didn’t make me a horrible person, they were lessons that would allow me to help someone else not make those same mistakes but rather grow and become who they were meant to be.
Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? My pastor, Dr. Mack De’Von Knight and my grandmother, Mary Gibbs. They are the pushers behind my success in all that I’ve done. It is because of their teachings, love, encouragement, correction and support that I am who I am today. When I didn’t believe in myself, they pushed me into confidence that I am capable of doing whatever I put my mind to. Most of all they never judged me.
When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? Travel, fish and shop.
How do you hope to grow in your career? I plan to further my education in Seminary, and I plan to obtain my master’s degree in education and then my doctoral degree. It’s my desire to be a school leader.
If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? A funeral director.