Arthur Charles Smith
Superintendent
Superintendent Arthur Charles Smith
2000-Present
Supt. Arthur Charles Smith is a Third-generation member of COGIC; the Third of Twelve sibling of Supt. James E. and Mother Theo Smith. He graduated from Hebert High School, Beaumont, Texas. He was called to Ministry in 1977, attended C H Mason Theology College, and received his License Elder of COGIC in 1980.
He served as Assistant to Supt. James Smith at the Holy Temple COGIC until called to Pastoral ship at Faith Temple in 1988. And has spent 46 years in ministry.
Arthur Smith is the proud Pastor of Faith Temple COGIC, an anointed Preacher, teacher and shepherd. He is married to Dr. Treva Smith and the father of two daughters and one son, five grandchildren as well as eight great grandchildren.
He has worked in several capacities over the years at Ideco as Field Representative, Ameripol Synpol as a Process Operator, Baptist Hospital in Security and Global Industrial as a Warehouse Manager.
He was appointed Superintendent of the Kountze Evangelistic District in 2000 and currently oversees six churches. The churches under his leadership as Superintendent are Faith Temple, Holy Temple COGIC/Pastor Shan Gilder, Inner Faith/Pastor Rickey Ernest, Redeemed COGIC/Pastor Daren Lacy, White Chapel/Pastor James Edwards, House of Prayer COGIC/Minister Marcus Bean. He also served as Administrative Assistant in the Texas Gulf Coast Jurisdiction and Chairman of Superintendents’ Board to Bishop Destry C. Bell His community involvement includes serving as President of the Ministers Alliance of Hardin County for several years.
He has received several community awards, including the Key To The City award of Silsbee, TX. He currently serves as a sponsor for the Feeding Program of Southeast Texas Food Bank. He has been Acting Director for the YYAFA (Youth Young Adult Fellowship Alliance) since 2011, and President of the Hardin County Long Term Recovery since 2017
He is committed to serving God, the people, and the Community.
Marilyn Earnest
District Missionary
District Missionary Marilyn Earnest is a powerhouse of devotion and leadership. She accepted Christ as her Savior at the age of 17 and earned her evangelist license at 25. With her husband, Pastor Ricky D. Earnest, by her side, she’s on fire for God, serving with dynamic energy and passion at Inner Faith Ministries in Silsbee, Texas. Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Theology, her commitment to spiritual growth is awe-inspiring.
Beyond the pulpit, with a rich history in ministry, she’s hands-on, currently serving as an alternate Sunday school teacher, leading praise and worship and a heart & passion for mentoring young women. On the jurisdictional level, she served as president of the women’s choir and as elect lady of the evangelism department. Impacting lives through her teaching, her journey, from being called by God at a young age to now, resonates with dedication. Whether in church shut-ins or comforting the sick and shut-in, she radiates the anointing.
Her favorite Bible scripture is one that best describes her heart. Roman 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ: for it is the power
of God unto salvation to everyone that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
A devoted wife of 41 years, she and Pastor Ricky cherish moments of vacation and family time. Blessed with five children and 19 grandchildren, her commitment to family mirrors her unwavering dedication to her faith. District Missionary Marilyn Earnest, a beacon of God’s light, shines brightly, spreading the gospel with grace and passion, making a lasting impact on those she encounters.