Pastor Spurgen Bailey Stevenson founded Peaceful Zion FGBC in 1976 and where he served as Pastor  until the Lord called him to his reward in 1996.

While looking for a place to worship a meeting was held in the home of Deacon Obie and Sister Roxie Hodge. Plans were started to organize a church. We started as the Christian mission. We then moved to Deacon Randolph and Sister Thomas’ home where we stayed for two months. As the membership outgrew this location, services were moved to 200 Fayette St. Here we were organized by the Ministerial Alliance into Peaceful Zion Baptist Church.

It was at this time that Pastor Stevenson thru fasting and prayer heard from God and started preparing the table. As the preparation began, our sister churches showed us very little love. They laughed and scoffed at our place of worship. But God kept preparing the table. In the midst of preparations, God sent some anointed women ministers to help prepare the table.

We must remember that Christ arrived meek and lowly, and that is how God had prepared us to arrive. God however kept us strong throughout this process. Pastor Stevenson encouraged us to hold on and we did.

Fayette Street will always be a distinct part of our history as it taught us to trust in God. Through it all, we did just that (trusting in God). Pastor Stevenson’s faith taught us that through all the troubles and trials, God could and would see us safely to the other side. Pastor had us to form a circle on every Wednesday evening where the oldest to the youngest would pray. He then asked everyone to bring whatever they had and lay it on the table and watch God work. The table is still being set.

We then purchased our present lot and paid it off in one and half years. We then built the sanctuary. We continue to worship God in truth and love at this location.

                                                               PASTOR HOWARD L. AND 1ST LADY GAIL SMITH

Pastor was born January 23, 1959 to Howard L. and Laura K. Smith of Martinsville, VA. He grew up in Eden, N.C. where he attended Morehead High School. After High School he served in the Army for 7 years.

His education is in Electronics Engineering. Pastor was a field service representative in the wood working, injection molding, and measurement equipment industries after his military service until 2004. After a third back operation he did not return to work.

Pastor answered his call from the Lord in 2003, while attending the Wentworth Church of God in Wentworth, N.C., where he served  the Lord as an evangelist.

First Lady was born January 9, 1953 to William J. and Viola S. Brooks of Heiskell, TN. She lived in Tennessee until 1996 when she moved to North Carolina to help her daughter and son in law who were serving in the Army with their children.

First Lady has been singing in the church since she was 3 years old. She started singing in her grandfather’s church where he served as Pastor. In 2006 she recorded her first CD in honor of her mother.

Pastor and First Lady met in 1996 and were married in 2000. They have four children, Kendra, Brian, Rebecca, and Sean. The Lord has blessed them with six grand children.

Pastor first came to Peaceful Zion in 2007 to visit while he was home to coach football. First Lady was driving as a long haul truck driver and Pastor was on the road with her. When she came home for the week end she came to visit. After her visit she told Pastor she could not ask him to go back on the road, because this was where the Lord wanted him. She returned to the road for a couple of months. She gave up her job driving so they could be together to serve at Peaceful Zion. Pastor started his service at Peaceful Zion as the Superintendent of Sunday School in 2008. He also served as the Associate Pastor. He was elected to serve as Pastor in 2009.