Pastor Bernice Smith 

A native of Chicago, Illinois, is the sixth of ten siblings. She began singing at the age of five and developed a deep love for God and the church at an early age. At sixteen, she fully committed her life to Christ and was filled with the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey in ministry.

 

In July 1980, Pastor Smith survived a devastating car accident that left her hospitalized for two and a half months with a broken femur and multiple injuries. During that season of complete physical dependence, she surrendered fully to the voice and will of God, accepting her call to teach and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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She was licensed and ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in 1983 under the late Apostle Willie Wims. In 1987, she was licensed as an Evangelist in the Church of God in Christ. In 1990, led by the Spirit of God, Elder Smith joined Prayer & Faith Outreach Ministries (PFOM), where she faithfully served as a licensed and ordained Elder.

 

 In November 2001, she was elevated and ordained as an Elder by Pastor Hudson. Pastor Smith is a dynamic revivalist, conference speaker, seminar facilitator, crusade host, prayer leader, and anointed psalmist. She served five years as District Soloist for the Bishop E. Lenox, District of the Southern Illinois COGIC Jurisdiction. Later, she served at PFOM in numerous leadership capacities, including Pastoral Administrator, Special Assistant to Pastor William Hudson III (later installed as Bishop in 2010), and as Executive Minister for nine years.

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Her ministry portfolio includes serving as Praise & Worship Leader, choir member, faithful intercessor, and Director of Women of Excellence (WOE) Ministries. In July 2019, she served as Interim Pastor of Christ Revival Church following the passing of Pastor Robert Holmes. In 2020, she started the Powerhouse Englewood ministry where she currently serves as the Senior Pastor with a God-given anointing to minister to the “total man and total woman,” Pastor Smith has been a keynote speaker at numerous conferences, seminars, and retreats, ministering to both singles and married couples. Through fervent prayer and bold teaching, she has witnessed the manifestation of miracles, signs, wonders, healing, and deliverance.

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As a mentor, trainer, and leadership facilitator, Pastor Smith equips leaders with practical tools, spiritual discipline, and strategic insight. Her workshops are designed to cultivate faithfulness, dedication, and excellence in leadership while strengthening alignment with pastoral vision and ministry growth. She is the senior pastor of Powerhouse Englewood, where her passion for winning souls drives her to preach and teach the uncompromised Gospel of Jesus Christ with excellence and power. She is widely recognized for her strong healing and deliverance anointing that has brought freedom and restoration to many.

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Professionally, Pastor Smith has been employed with the University of Chicago Medicine for approximately 13½ years. She is also a member of the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) for over 25 years. She is the proud mother of one adult son, Prophet Rodney J. Smith. Her life scripture is Psalm 119:165: “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”

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