Pierce has been in ministry for over 40 years. He has served in many capacities: Senior Pastor, Associate minister, youth minister, men’s ministry leader, youth choir director/musician, praise and worship leader/musician, teacher and band member to name a few. Pierce has a Bachelors in Electronic Engineering Technology from the University of Dayton, an MBA from Hood College and a Specialist degree in Theology from Zoe University.
Before coming to Virginia Beach and Suffolk, he pastored New Life Baptist Church in Gaithersburg, MD for 10 years. He has ministered at the Manna Baptist Church in Chesapeake, VA, Our Daily Bread Cafe in Virginia Beach, a Women in Shared Ministry (WISM) Leadership Conference, Light of Life Christian Center in Chesapeake, VA, First Mount Olive Baptist Church in Leesburg, VA and Ebenezer Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA to name a few.
Pierce retired from Schneider Electric/Square D Company after 32 years and is now in full time ministry as Pastor of the Abundant Glory Christian Center located in Suffolk, VA. His interests are in helping others experience the power and reality of God through music and the preaching/teaching of God’s Word. He also loves reading, sports, and traveling.
He is married to the Rev. Thelma C. Smith, his beautiful bride of 45 years. Together they have three adult children and six grandchildren.
Thelma has served in the public education system for over twenty-three years: 13 years as a high school science teacher, 5 years as a secondary assistant principal, and 5 years as a middle school principal, helping young people to fulfill their destinies and maximize their potential. She has served in ministry for the past 31 years in many different capacities: as a Sunday school teacher, Minister of Education, Coordinator of home groups, Women’s ministry leader, Counselor, Associate pastor, Dean of a bible college, and now, Co-pastor. She is a published author and believes in developing disciples of Jesus Christ who will minister the Gospel to all nations in the power of the Holy Spirit. She and her husband, Pierce, have 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren.