Miracle Temple Ministries
Dr. Benjamin L. Smith Biography PDF Print E-mail

Dr. Benjamin L. Smith is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, born June 26, 1953. Dr. Smith is husband to Kelley Muller-Smith and father to four children, Aaron, Andre, Damon, and Mauria. He is grandfather to one granddaughter, Leah Nikole.

After completing his formal education in the Jefferson County Public Schools in 1971, he entered Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1976. After graduation he taught in the public school system in Gary, Indiana from 1976-1977.

He accepted God's call on his life into ministry in April of 1978. With a desire to enter the ministry in a full-time capacity, he entered the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, GA, where he received the Master of Divinity Degree in 1981. The Doctor of Ministry degree from Christian Bible College and Seminary (Independence, Missouri) was conferred in 2008.

In August of 1986, Pastor Smith and his family, his wife, Kelley Muller-Smith and daughter, Mauria Elizabeth arrived in Memphis. He was assigned to be the minister of one of the churches in the city.

In March of 1989, after the leading of the Lord, he founded the Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ. Under his leadership, Miracle Temple has become one of the fastest growing ministries in the city of Memphis.

After accepting the office of an Apostle, Pastor Smith was publicly authenticated in the Service of Apostolic consecration on Thursday, March 2, 2000.

Apostle Smith renamed the church to Miracle Temple Ministries, Inc., as it now operates as an independent ministry.

Apostle Smith also founded two other ministries in West Memphis, Arkansas and Louisville, Kentucky. Upon opening the Ministry in West Memphis, Apostle Smith was awarded the key to the City of West Memphis by Mayor William Johnson.

On May 5, 2002, Apostle Smith’s vision of constructing a Family Worship & Activity Center in the Whitehaven community was realized during the grand opening and dedicatory service of the new facility at 3750 Millbranch Road.

Dr. Smith and Miracle Temple Ministries, Inc.have always strived to be a beacon of light in the Whitehaven community. Miracle Temple has adopted three city schools, Graceland Elementary, A. Maceo Walker Middle School, and Caldwell Elementary. Many certificates, plaques, and civic awards have been bestowed upon Apostle Smith by agencies and businesses throughout the city of Memphis. The Memphis City Council recognized him also by naming a portion of Millbranch Road in his honor.
 
Ministries PDF Print E-mail

We have found that there are so many needs that people have that are not necessarily met through simply attending worship services. In an effort to aid the people of God in living "balanced lives", we have instituted ministries that will equip people to reach their maximum potential in life. They are as follows:

• Children’s Ministry
• Christian Education
• Bust-A-Move Monday (BAMM)
• Greeters
• Men’s Fellowship
• Music Ministry
• Singles Ministry
• Taking It To The Street (Discipling)
• Usher Board
• Nursery
• Women’s Ministry
• Youth Ministry
• Young Adult Ministry
• Health Ministry
• Homeless Ministry
• Married Couple Ministry

Children’s Ministry

A ministry for children ages (3-11) carefully designed to disciple children through a curriculum that develops character, respect and integrity. It is also the goal of the ministry to lead the children to know and accept Jesus Christ by teaching and training them by exposing them to the Bible, the foundation of biblical truths, and demonstrating the same in Children’s Church, Wednesday Bible Study and special presentations.

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Christian Education

It is that ministry that under girds and supports all the other ministries of the church. Its’ sole purpose is to teach and train the membership in the understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ and how to manifest them in everyday life, as well as the church. Under the umbrella of Christian Educations falls: The Month Leadership Symposium, The New Member Orientation, The Miracle Temple School of Ministry for Ministers and Sunday School.

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Bust-A-Move Monday (BAMM)

This is an initiative to bolster black-owned businesses in Memphis, TN. Each first Monday of the month, a chosen black-owned business is patronized by B-A-M-M supporters. While recipients are black-owned businesses, B-A-M-M embraces the community at large. The ultimate goal is to create ongoing wealth in the black community and support the overall stability of the Memphis economy for generations to come.

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Greeters

A ministry designed to warmly welcome all attendees at the door to set the tone for the worship experience and to give any needed instructions.

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Men’s Fellowship

This ministry was composed to galvanize, mobilize and empower the men of the ministry to meet the challenge of manifesting God’s desire for men to take their rightful place in their family, their church, and the world at large. This goal will be reached by intentional times of intense Friendship, Fellowship and Worship.

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Music Ministry

The purpose of the Music Ministry primarily is to create an atmosphere that warmly welcome the “Presence of God” that fosters an entrance for the worshipper to have an encounter with Him. The Music Ministry also promotes the development of individuals who enjoy using their gifts and talent through vocals instrumentation. The ministry is composed of: The Children’s Choir, The Youth Choir, The Male Chorus, and The Sanctuary Choir, who provide the gospel in song through traditional, contemporary, hymns, anthems, and spirituals.

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Singles Ministry

Designed for those who are divorced, widowed, or has never been married. Through a variety of social and spiritual activities, the goal is to encourage, enhance, and enlighten singles to live holy, abundant, complete, and spirit-filled lives.

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Taking It To The Street (Discipling)

The main work of the church is to win souls for Christ. This team takes the gospel beyond the walls of the church to obey the command of Jesus Christ to win souls as the Great Commission mandates in Matthew 28:19-20.

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Usher Board

Ushers greet warmly each person entering into the sanctuary to assist in seating and necessary movement during the worship experience.

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Nursery

The Nursery offers childcare for infants and toddlers ages (6 weeks – 35 months). The nursery is open during Sunday morning services and Wednesday night Bible Study.

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Women’s Ministry

A ministry specifically birthed to prompt, prepare and position the women of our church to be the women of spiritual substance that God called them to be. The goal of the ministry will be achieved through times of teaching, training, and services designed for female empowerment.

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Youth Ministry

A ministry for youth ages (12-17) that focuses on the development of fostering the Spiritual foundation necessary for them to prepare and position themselves for the challenge of meeting the demand for personal achievement as well as continue the perpetual expansion of the Kingdom of God.

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Young Adult Ministry

This ministry for those ages (18-39) was launched to pursue the segment of the church that is very involved in career development, establishing families and many other interests. It is the intent of this ministry to inform, instruct, and make intelligible the necessity to continue to pursue a life of holiness through relevant ministry and resources.

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Health Ministry

Promotes the ministry of healing by acknowledging God as “The Lord that heals.” This ministry promotes health and wellness by providing literature to educate and inspire congregants to strive for living a better quality of life. The Health Ministry also provides comfort and first aid service during worship services as needed.

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Homeless Ministry

The purpose of this ministry is to provide emergency assistance to individuals who are faced with homelessness. Our specific role will be to give referrals to the agencies that can assist in housing, employment, clothing and food.

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Married Couple Ministry

A ministry designed to challenge, strengthen, educate and invigorate the God-given institution of marriage. Specifically, the ministry will identify possible problems area, learn some marital skills and inform couples of the real goal of marriage.

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Kelley Muller-Smith Biography PDF Print E-mail

Kelley was born in Sanford, Florida to the late Stanley and Mae Muller. She received her primary and secondary education in the public schools of Seminole and Orange counties. Upon graduating from high school, she spent one year of vocal music studies at Bethune-Cookman College (now has University status) in Daytona Beach, Florida. She continued her vocal music studies for the next three years, preparing herself for a career in her field of concentration at the Peabody Institute of Music in Baltimore, Maryland.

While attending Peabody, she began a professional career in vocal music that expanded over a period of ten years. Her credits include: Voices Inc., The Robert DeCormier Singers, and The Norman Luboff Choir, all based in New York City; Once Upon a Stage - Dinner Theater, Walt Disney World's "Kids of the Kingdom", both in Orlando, Florida; a cast member of the second national touring company of the Broadway Musical,"Timbuktu", staring the late Eartha Kitt and directed by Geoffrey Holder, and a night club singer in the Buckhead community of Atlanta, Georgia. This ten year period allowed her the opportunity to perform in major cities across the United States as well as parts of Canada and Mexico, placing her on many well known stages such as, Radio City Music Hall and Town Hall, both of New York City; Tyrone Guthrie Theater of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and several Orpheum Theaters in the United States.

Her greatest accomplishment, however, was achieved in 1980 when she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and allowed Him to rule as Lord of her life.

She married Benjamin L. Smith in 1981 and to this union one child, Mauria Elizabeth, was born. Since the family’s arrival in Memphis in 1986, Kelley has served as a Vocal Technique Clinician at various local, surrounding areas, and out of state music workshops, including: The Lighthouse Worship Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, The Church of God in Christ's National AIM Conventions, O'landa Draper's Music Lover's Conferences, The University of Mississippi's Gospel Music Department, and several other churches and community choirs throughout the Mid-South. In 2003, she was nominated for Memphis' Gospel Bridge Award in the Church Choir Director/Vocal Trainer category.

Kelley held the position of Minister of Music for Tennessee’s Fourth Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Bishop G. E. Patterson for two years. She served for sixteen years as Minister of Music at her church, Miracle Temple Ministries, Inc., where her husband, Dr. Benjamin L. Smith, is the Founder and Senior Pastor.

In 2004 she auditioned and was accepted as a member of The Memphis Symphony Chorus under the direction of Dr. Lawrence Edwards, where she holds a seat on its board of directors. She is also a board member of Concerts International, an organization which has brought internationally acclaimed chamber music groups to Memphis for 35 years. Kelley currently offers private voice lessons at her vocal studio located at her church.