Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Baptist Church (MLK) is pleased and excited to announce a momentous and historic occasion for both the church and the community — the appointment of Rev. Dr. Linda Mae Smith as the first African American female senior pastor of a predominantly Black Baptist church in the Greater Seattle area.
Dr. Smith was elected by a vote of the congregation, in accordance with the church’s constitution and bylaws, on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Baptist Church in Renton.
This significant achievement represents not only a milestone for Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Baptist Church but also an inspiring step forward for our community as we continue to acknowledge the vital roles that women play in spiritual leadership. Serving as senior pastor of S.K.Y. Ministries for over 20 years, as senior pastor and spiritual caregiver of Mary Magdalene/Mary’s Place for 15 years, and as transitional pastor to MLK for the past two years, Pastor Smith, a prophetic and transformational leader who believes in justice for all, has demonstrated exceptional faith, leadership, and dedication in the Seattle community, making her a trailblazer in a field traditionally dominated by men. (Please note: this list is not a complete or exhaustive biography of Dr. Smith. Her resume extends much broader than we have room to list on this page.) Her appointment signals progress and hope, reminding us that faith and leadership know no gender.
Under her guidance, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we anticipate that MLK will continue to thrive, foster unity, and expand its outreach within the community. Her deep commitment to service, rooted in the teachings of Christ, will no doubt inspire generations of believers to follow their own callings and uplift one another in love and unity.
As a church, MLK will stand with her in prayer and solidarity, ready to support her leadership as she embarks on this new journey. And we hope the community will share in this support. We are excited to see how her vision will shape the future of our church and community, breaking barriers and building bridges toward a more inclusive and faithful future.
The congregation of MLK encourages the members of our community to join them in this celebration and recognize the profound impact of Dr. Smith’s appointment. It is a moment that speaks to the progress we are making together, and we are certain her leadership will serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for many years to come.
Dr. Smith and the leadership of MLK are planning her installation service to be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.