National Ministries Will Soon Establish Justice Institute

According to sources from within the American Baptist News Service, National Ministries will soon start the J. J. Alfred Smith Sr. Prophetic Justice Institute for the "empowerment of prophetic justice advocates." The institute will be established in honor of Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr., the senior pastor of the Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California. Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, National Ministries' executive director made that announcement at the December 16 breakfast gathering for the American Baptist Churches USA Mission Center in Valley Forge, Philadelphia.

Dr. Smith, namesake for the new institute, is well-respect pastor and leader of the African American church tradition. Smith is currently the professor of Christian Ministry tradition. Smith serves as the professor of Christian Ministry at the American Baptist Seminary of the West and the Graduate Theological Union of Berkeley. He also serves as a visiting professor for the Fuller
Theological Seminary. Smith is also the former president of the American Baptist Churches of the West.

Over the years, Dr. Smith has received much recognition in the media. He has been ranked one of the top 15 preachers in America by Ebony Magazine. Smith has been featured in Christianity Today magazine, CNN, NBC’s ‘Today show,’ the Los Angeles Times, and the American Baptist Magazine.

He has written no less than 16 books that have become required reading in various congregations, scholarly circles, and seminaries. His newest book comes under the title On the Jericho Road: A Memoir of Racial Justice, Social Action and Prophetic Ministry. This book is currently published by the InterVarsity Press.

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

“Dr. Smith's ministry has been embracing the world for 50 years, both as a prophet and teacher,” Wright-Riggins says. “National Ministries is establishing the institute to thank him for the influence he has had on so many lives, including my own.”

Wright-Riggins promised that the newly established institute will do “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.”

[Quotes from the American Baptist News Service]