Dr. Clay Smith

Dr Clay Smith grew up in Indianola, Mississippi, professed faith in Christ at age 6, and grew in his faith through the ministry of RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) while at Mississippi State University.  He graduated from MSU in 1994 with a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, earned an MDiv from Covenant Theological Seminary in 1999, and a D.Min., Redemptive Leadership, in 2013, also from CTS.

He began his pastoral career in Scottsdale, AZ as Assistant Pastor at Covenant Community Church from 2002-2005.  From 2005 to 2011 he was the Senior Associate Pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in St Louis, MO, and from 2011-2016 was the Senior Pastor at Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg, VA until God called him back to Central as the Senior Pastor in 2017.

Dr Smith’s ministry passions include leading and equipping the congregation and the leadership of the church through solid communication of the Word, casting a vision toward a kingdom mission, and motivating God’s people in the grace of the Gospel and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.

Clay has been married to his wife, Missy, since October 2001.  They have two children, Emma, born in April 2003, and Isaiah, born in May 2007.