Rev. Jivaro Smith

Rev. Jivaro Smith

• Experienced, dedicated and reliable minister with focused service in pastoral ministry, spiritual care, church operations and administration.
• Maintaining an authentic and living relationship with Jesus Christ and committed to shepherding individuals to Christ, with a strong focus on vision and mission of the church in winning souls to Christ.
• Passionately engaged in community outreach with a focus on real world community spiritual support and guidance, restorative justice, reconciliation, equity, inclusive practices, faith-based community consultation and development--strong desire to be instrumental in the transitional and transformational passages of inmates and their families within the Correctional system.
• Leverage technology as a tool to help transform and modernize processes and practices for greater agility and increased efficiency in internal operations and developing next generation leaders to maintain relevancy of the church.

SKILLS

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Pastor, Emmanuel Temple AME Church, Pickering, ON

2018- Present

·       Successfully established a faith-based congregation, focusing on providing for the spiritual, emotional, physical and mental well-being of a growing, diverse community

·       Proactively shepherding the congregation towards spiritual growth by preaching from and teaching from a biblical, providing spiritual care to congregants, leaders and ministers, by way of counselling, advising, and mentoring; and, facilitating ordinances of baptism and communion

·       Built respectful, reciprocal relationships with various multi-denominational Faith Leaders, to work in collaboration on community initiatives and projects resulting in new community initiative:  Blessed to be a Blessing--assisting the Homeless, Community Food Banks, and Women and Family Shelters

·       Financial leadership to ensure treasury intact and functioning appropriately in relation to requirements of Canada Revenue Agency; along with Trustees, consistently reviewing and analysing trends in giving for the purposes of program management

·       Led in the creation and implementation of church’s 5-year Strategic Plan with aim of spiritual, numerical and financial growth

·       Utilized agility in leadership to develop and implement sustainable relevant and robust spiritual activities, and delegating responsibilities where appropriate

·       Effectively lead a team in pivoting to offer dynamic online faith-based programming in response to a global pandemic (Worship Services, Gospel Concerts, Weekly Bible Studies and Wellness Check ins)

·       Conducted religious sacraments - Communion, Baptism, Marriage, Anointing and Blessings both in-house and within the community

Associate Pastor – Grant AME Church, Toronto, ON

2007- 2018

·       Assisted and lead in the provision of all pastoral care and spiritual support for a congregation of 350 members

·       Conducted religious sacraments--Communion, Baptism, Marriage, Anointing and Blessings (both in-house and within the community)

·       Exercised sensitivity and atonement when providing hospice care and support to individuals and families

·       Attended and provided insight in both individual and family Crisis Intervention, Marriage, Singles, Grief and Bereavement Counselling sessions

·       Strong advocate and active lead, on behalf of community youth in accessing higher education opportunities (Young Peoples’ Division)

·       Increased total active engagement of established Sons’ of Allen, Men’s Empowerment & Development Group, with the development and delivery of varied, creative programming

·       Instrumental in the reimagining of affective outreach programs for those congregants and community members who were shut-in (Personal weekly visitation and support programs)

·       Worked with community leaders to established greater visibility and accessibility to faith based Programming offered (Addiction support)

·       Accomplished Minister of Music, with the execution of a multitude of musical productions with congregants and community members