Meet The Pastor
Founder and Pastor John Smith Jr.
Pastor John E. Smith Jr. is a missionary with the North American Mission Board. In 2008, John and his wife, Nykia, served in their hometown, Pontiac, Michigan, where they have planted a Christ-centered church. They served faithfully as Church Planters and founding Pastor from 2008-2015. John and Nykia are both graduates of Destiny Christian School of Ministry where they were both graduated and became instructors in biblical studies and theology.
In 2015 John and his family relocated to St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands (USVI) to fulfill their ministry assignment to plant churches all over the world. John and Nykia are in their eighteenth year of ministry and have just completed their 10th year of pastoral leadership and oversight at The Shepherd’s Fold in Pontiac, Michigan and currently 2.5 years in pastoral leadership at The Shepherd’s Fold St. Croix.
Previously John worked as a community outreach consultant with Oakland County, Michigan’s largest mental health care provider where he worked directly with the CEO of the organization. John also worked as the program director for a non-profit called “My Brother’s Workshop.” John’s role was to help to transform the lives of 16-24-year-old at-risk youth and young adults that have been disadvantaged and incarcerated multiple times.
John has received numerous awards and recognition from prestigious organizations such as the NAACP, The National Association of Business & Professional Women's Club, The Oakland County Commissioners, and a formal resolution by the city of Pontiac's elected officials to serve as an ambassador to and establish sister city relationships with the USVI. Nykia has served faithfully beside her husband as well as 20+ years in the healthcare field.
The Smiths have partnered with elected officials, educators, social service agencies, business leaders, law enforcement, and grass roots organizations all over the United States and the Caribbean. They are currently focused on 3 major ministry assignments. They lead “The Shepherd’s Fold Community Church, St. Croix. They’ve also started “The Journey For Life Youth and Family Transformation Academy”. As of 2018 the Smiths have also started “Destiny School of Ministry and Biblical Studies, Caribbean.”