Leadership
Julia A. Smith BA, M.Ed.
First-Lady
Julia, the First Lady of Zion Life, was born and raised in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She is the mother of three and has been married for 33 years. Lady Julia has always had a passion for the advancement of children. She is also dedicated to helping women and families reach their God ordained destiny in Christ and further develop sustainable life goals uniquely commissioned by God.
First Lady Julia is a New Jersey Certified kindergarten teacher within the Atlantic City NJ urban school district. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature from Stockton University and her certification in Early Childhood Education from Montclair State University. Lady Smith has also completed her Master of Arts in Early Education from Grand Canyon University (GCU). She is committed to inspiring and educating children.
Lady Julia's vision for GATEWAY CHURCH is to use her experience in the educational arena to build a hi-scope preschool academy that will educate students spiritually as well as naturally. She also endeavors to continue her work with young women in "Daughters of Zion Mentor-ship Program".
First Lady Julia is truly a woman of God that aspires to reflect the qualities and characteristics of the virtuous woman found in Proverbs 31. She is called blessed by her husband, children, and friends.
Lance T. Smith Sr. MA, MSL, MPA, DD
Senior Pastor
Pastor Lance T. Smith Sr. serves as the Senior Pastor of Zion Life Church Inc./ now GATEWAY CHURCH - Main Campus in Atlantic City New Jersey.
Working under the esteemed Pastor Dr. Loretta C. Farmer, Pastor Smith has operated in various ecclesiastical functions for the past 25 years. Through his 25 years of ministerial history, Pastor Smith was commissioned as Sunday School Director, Deacon, Minister, Elder, and Associate Pastor of Zion Apostolic Deliverance Center Inc. After much prayer and fasting, confirming the will of God through dreams and visions, on August 28th, 2013, Pastor Smith was divinely inspired to answer his calling and start Zion Life Church Inc. (ZLC) from the basement of his home. Since the preceding leap of faith, God continued to confirm his will and allowed ZLC to secure a worship facility in the Southern New Jersey area of Galloway Twp. and Atlantic City N.J. Pastor Smith will commence his Pastoral leadership ministry as Senior Pastor of ZLC under its new name of GATEWAY CHURCH in May of 2024.
Pastor Smith received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management and Political Science and Government from the University of Arizona (Forbes School of Business). Furthermore, Pastor Smith earned both his Master of Science degree in Leadership, and a Master in Public Administration. In addition, he has earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Theology from Jameson Christian College. Along with the preceding earned degrees, Pastor Smith was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from International Christian University for his life-long work in the ministry and working with various non-profit organizations throughout the State of New Jersey.
Pastor Smith is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner and serves as the Deputy Director of the largest not-for-profit supportive housing agency in the State of New Jersey under the auspices of the New Jersey Department of Mental Health and Addictions.
Validating his commitment to community involvement, Pastor Smith is a current board member of the Camden County Continuum of Care and holds committee positions on the Homeless Network Planning Committee, Permanent Affordable Supportive Housing Committee, Coordinated Entry Governing Board, the Systems Evaluation Committee within Camden County. Pastor Smith is on various statewide organizational strategic planning committees for non-profit organizations and is a former member of the Atlantic County Mental Health Board.
A devoted husband and father, Pastor Smith resides in Egg Harbor Township New Jersey along with his wife of 33 years, Lady Julia. They have children to their union, Lance Jr., Joshua, Jessica, and a grandson Lance T. Smith III. Pastor Smith witnesses to others by the demonstration of his love for the Word of God. Through the example of commitment, families are healed, marriages are restored, and another generation begins to rise up!
A visionary and a leader, Pastor Lance T. Smith Sr. is committed to developing men, women and youth to disciple the world for Christ.
