Our District Secretary Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Smith was honoured at our Conference closing Rally on March 22nd. She is retiring after 15 years of excellent service. Here’s some more about her: Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Loretta Smith was born to William Ryan, PAWI’s first General Superintendent, and Miriam Ryan. She is a proud Bishop Anstey High School graduate, teacher by profession, and Minister of the Gospel. Rev Smith began her working life at the Supreme Court of Judicature in T&T, then as a Recruit Teacher in Barbados. She taught in Barbados and T&T but the core of her teaching experience was as a Teacher II at South-East Port of Spain Government Secondary. In 1964 she married Irvin Evarros Smith, becoming a Pastor’s wife, and began pastoral ministry in Barbados. After leaving the Trinidad and Tobago Teaching Service in 1986 she served as Bethel World Outreach Ministries Church Administrator until 2014, their longest serving Administrator. Rev Smith is the holder of Certificates in Music Theory and Computer Literacy; a Diploma with distinction in Music; a Diploma in Education; a Bachelor of Arts & General Studies; a Bachelor of Theology with Honours; a Master of Arts in Ministry and; a Doctorate in Ministry from Southwest Bible College and Seminary. She holds ordination credentials with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies since 2001. She took active roles as a church pianist at Woodbrook Pentecostal and in her early adult life as the organist at Roadview Pentecostal in Barbados and a pianist at Bethel Pentecostal Church. Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn also served as BWOM’s Choir director, Director of Music and Director of Worship & Arts. She established Crusaders Units in Barbados. She established church libraries, and the Ushers department at BWOM. She was also the Unit Commander for the Arima Pentecostal Crusaders, District Commissioner for the NETD Crusaders and National Commissioner for Pentecostal Crusaders International. She was a lecturer at WIST Extension School in Arima and at the Bethel School of Ministry. She is responsible for organizing the Bible and Theology courses and administering examinations on her biannual trips to Colombia with Yashua Messiah World Ministries Bible School where she and her husband Bishop Irvin Smith train pastors and other church leaders. She served as Secretary of the North East Trinidad District from 2003 to 2018. Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Loretta Smith is considered by her family to be a rare priceless gem, one not to be looked upon only, but also to emulate. Amidst all her giftings and abilities she loves the Lord, a love that radiates through her life, service and commitment to Kingdom building and advancement.
