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CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr.: A Life of Faith, Justice, and Hope

For decades, Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., Pastor Emeritus of Allen Temple Baptist Church, guided thousands with his messages of faith, justice, and hope. A visionary leader, acclaimed preacher, scholar, and author, he championed the causes of the poor and marginalized while uplifting the broken-hearted and challenging the comfortable to live faithfully.

Join us as we honor his life, legacy, and ministry, and share details of his homegoing celebration in Oakland, California.

For decades, Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. guided thousands, inspiring faith, justice, and hope in countless lives.

He was not only a pillar of the Oakland community, but a guiding light for Christians nationwide and around the world.

One of the most influential pastors and prophetic voices of our time has gone home to be with the Lord. Reverend Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., Pastor Emeritus of Allen Temple Baptist Church, leaves behind a powerful legacy of faith, justice, and hope.

Hi everyone, welcome back to Christian Breaking News, where faith meets world events, and we explore how today’s stories impact Christians around the world — through a biblical perspective.

Today we pause to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. His ministry touched countless lives in Oakland, throughout the nation, and around the world.

A visionary leader, Pastor Smith was a native of Kansas City, Missouri, baptized at age 12, and called to ministry on July 4, 1948. He earned degrees from Western Baptist College, the Missouri School of Religion, American Baptist Seminary of the West, and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as Senior Pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church, Professor of Preaching and Church Ministries, Acting Dean of the American Baptist Seminary of the West, and Scholar in Residence at Gardner-Webb University.

Dr. Smith was also the 12th president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention and a past president of the American Baptist Churches of the West. The J. Alfred Smith, Sr. Endowed Chair of Theology in the Public Square honors his tireless work in theological education and social justice.

An acclaimed preacher, scholar, and author of over sixteen books, Dr. Smith championed the causes of the poor, marginalized, and disenfranchised. He used the pulpit to uplift the broken-hearted while challenging the comfortable to live faithfully. His leadership and influence earned him recognition from Ebony Magazine, the Greenlining Institute, Morehouse College, and many other institutions. He was blessed with a loving life with his wife, Rev. Bernestine Smith, sharing in the joy of the Lord.

Here’s what you need to know about his homegoing celebration:

A special Evening of Worship and Witness will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM Pacific Time at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California. Dr. Smith will lie in repose earlier that afternoon, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time.

The Celebration of Life Service will take place the following day, Friday, October 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM Pacific Time, also at Allen Temple Baptist Church, located at 8501 International Boulevard in Oakland.

All services will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube @allentemplebaptistchurch, as well as on their website, Allen-Temple.org

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Center for Truth, Racial Healing, and Restorative Justice at Berkeley School of Theology.

If you knew Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., or if his ministry touched your life, we encourage you to share your memories or tributes. Even a simple prayer shared in the comments can bring comfort to the family, the church, and the broader faith community.

This video can serve as a space of remembrance and encouragement for his family, church, and the wider community of faith.

As we reflect on his life, we are reminded of Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. has truly left a legacy of faith, justice, and hope. May his memory continue to inspire us all to walk closer with Christ and work faithfully for His Kingdom.

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Thank you for watching Christian Breaking News. Please keep the Smith family, Allen Temple Baptist Church, and the Oakland community in your prayers. May God bless you all.

Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr.: A Life of Faith, Justice, and Hope | Christian Breaking News!