Sandra Taylor-Smith is a native of Goochland County, Virginia. She is the third born, only girl, of five children to the late Deaconess Berta Ellis Taylor and the late Deacon Herman Taylor, Jr. She has been married to Deacon Robert Smith, Jr. for 21 years and together they share six adult children, five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

 

She is a graduate of Goochland High School; attended Richmond Technical Center where she received her Associate Degree in Tailoring and Dressmaking. She continued her education at Evans-Smith Training Institute of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University and received certificates in Religious Studies, Christian Education, Proclamation Preaching, Pastoral Care, and Advanced Theological Preparation. She also completed her seminary studies at Virginia Union University Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology where she received her Master of Divinity Degree in 2012.

 

In 2004, she was ordained as a Deacon at St. James Baptist Church, Blair Road. She accepted her call to ministry in 2005 and was licensed to preach the Gospel, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Thomas Blake, Pastor of St. James Baptist Church. At St. James, she served as Associate Minister of Outreach and New Members Ministry; taught Sunday school and Bible Study. In August 2008 she was ordained to the Gospel Ministry under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Norwood Carson, Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Chesterfield, Virginia.

 

In November 2009, she was installed as the Local Pastor of Divine Revelation Baptist Church, Manakin-Sabot, Virginia under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Arnita Snead Brooks, Visionary and Senior Pastor. Sandra served 8 years as preacher, spiritual counselor, mentor, teacher/facilitator of Spiritual Growth Bible Study, workshops, conferences and retreats.

 

In 2005, Sandra became a member of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Goochland and Vicinity. She served as Recording Secretary, as well as, on the Communication and Caring Committees. Sandra served as a member of the Executive Board of Directors of the Goochland Christian Churches Association (GCCA) in the capacity as Vice President and Secretary. She served as a volunteer of Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services (GFCFS) as an Intake Officer assisting low income families with fuel assistance and food. Sandra currently serves as president of Habitat for Humanity of Goochland. She resides in Goochland with her husband, Robert.

 

Has worked _____ years with the E. C. Robins, Jr. Family, where she continues to provide trusted and ongoing family support.

 

She takes to heart the mandate of God according to the Gospel of Matthew, “. . . The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest" (Matthew 9:37-38).