GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Reverend Kevin Smith surrendered his life to God at the tender age of 12. Although he was saved and was following his Maker, he had to struggle with the bad habits of smoking and drinking for more than three years after becoming a born-again Christian.

"When I became a Christian at age 12 there were so many things I was involved in, one would not believe it. To be an alcoholic and a smoker at that age goes to say that that is a perfect time to give one's life to God," noted Reverend Smith.

Smith said it was not an easy task to kick the bad habits, as he did not start at age 12. He explained that his smoking and drinking encounters started when he was about seven years old.

smoking habit

Although Reverend Smith was able to get rid of his smoking habit at age 12, he was not as lucky in dumping alcohol, as he continued his consumption of alcohol up to the age of 15 while being a part of his congregation as a child of God.

Smith pointed out that his first taste of drinking and smoking came about as a result of a broken home. He said his father, who is now deceased, was who he got the bad habits from. He said as a result of him existing in a broken home it was his idea that the answer to that was to the use of alcohol and cigarettes.

"I thought that my turning to smoking and drinking was the solution to a broken home. I watched abuse and all of that and those things contributed to the habits," said the church leader.

All those are now behind Reverend Smith who has been in the church for more than 25 years. He has been a pastor for 13 years but confessed that he started to love preaching after walking with Christ.

He said his love for preaching started out of the emulation of Reverend Philbert Whittaker who was his pastor at the Leicesterfield New Testament Church of God in Clarendon.

preaching

Smith said some of the things he saw his pastor did he practised among other children, with him being the leader of what can be termed as 'play church', with him being the preacher.

"I would preach; and I even had my little pool where I would baptise them, while having a group of people coming to watch what was happening. Little did I know that those little things would have been developed into what I am today," noted Reverend Smith.

Smith who is currently the pastor at the Kellits New Testament Church of God and who has led flocks at Wood Park and Waterford New Testament in St. Mary, as well as Long Road and Hector's River New Testament in Portland, said he has been having a good time working for the Lord. He said when he looks at the ministry in which he is involved, he sees it as his life, his calling.

Smith said the greatest miracle that has ever occurred in his life was to have experienced God-saving grace which has resulted in him being a born-again Christian. He added that to see several persons coming to the Lord, as part of the work he has been doing for the Creator, is also seen as great miracles.

'I would preach; and I even had my little pool where I would baptise them, while having a group of people coming to watch what was happening. Little did I know that those little things would have been developed into what I am today.'