About Reverend Claudia Smalls
Over 25 years ago, Reverend Claudia Smalls answered God’s call to preach and teach the good news of Jesus Christ. On Sunday, April 6, 1996, she was licensed by the late Rev. John Oscar Fowler, pastor of the White Rock Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, NY. While there, she worked diligently for the church, serving as a missionary, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, and serving as assistant youth director. She also attended the Baptist Training Union, receiving a certificate in Biblical Studies.
After moving to Atlanta in July 1997, Rev. Smalls visited several churches, eventually deciding to join the Sylvester Baptist Church. She was later ordained in the ministry by the late Rev. Jimmy Fletcher on May 21, 2000. Rev. Smalls served the Sylvester congregation as assistant to the pastor, praise and worship leader, VBS coordinator, women’s’ ministry leader, bible study teacher, and advisor to the youth ministry. Additionally, she offered bimonthly ministry to the residents of a local assisted living facility on Sunday mornings before attending morning worship at Sylvester.
On May 1, 2010, Rev. Smalls matriculated from Beulah Heights University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. After much time in prayer and fasting, Rev. Smalls stepped out in faith and organized the Tabernacle of Praise Church Ministry. On October 9, 2011, the first service was held at ToP.
Rev. Smalls is married to Samuel, and together they have four sons and eight grandchildren. She has worked for Morehouse College for the past nine and a half years as an administrative assistant, retiring on June 30, 2017.
When all is said and done, Rev. Smalls believes that her “hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and his righteousness.” Her faith in God has carried her through tough times, sickness, and distress, leading her to a place of rest in God. One of Rev. Smalls’ favorite scriptures is I Peter 5:6, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
