Dr. Clay Smith serves as lead pastor of Alice Drive Baptist Church in Sumter, South Carolina. For the past 26 years God has used him to introduce new ministries and worship styles to the Sumter Community.  Alice Drive has grown 535% since 1994, fulfilling its mission of helping as many people as possible take their next step toward Jesus.

Clay is also the co-director of Leadership Sumter and is a partner in his family’s business in Florida, Buckhorn Ranch and Groves.  He has served on numerous community boards and as a consultant for churches and businesses. Clay was recently named South Carolina Baptist Pastor of the Year in the large-church category.

A graduate of Samford University, he earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He is the author of Pipes: God’s Spiritual Gifts Flowing Through You and Next Step Life.

He is married to Gina, who is a counselor in private practice in Sumter.  They have three children: Abram, Hannah, and Sarah, and one grandson, Shep.