Mt. Tabor United Church of Christ Welcomes New Pastor, installation service March 29th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In January 2026, the Mt. Tabor United Church of Christ congregation unanimously voted to call Rev. Lester E. Smith as its settled pastor.

Rev. Smith will be officially installed on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Tabor UCC, 1002 East Holly Grove Road, Lexington, NC 27292. Refreshments will be served following the program.

Rev. Tom Warren, conference minister of the Western North Carolina Association of the United Church of Christ, said, “The WNCA is pleased and honored to be part of the installation service for the Rev. Lester Smith as pastor of Mt. Tabor United Church of Christ. We invite all members of the Association to come together as the body of Christ to embrace Rev. Smith and celebrate the ministry of Mt. Tabor UCC. As the prayer of Jesus and our UCC motto state: ‘That they may all be one.’ Join us as we live out the prayer of Christ and the vision of our beloved denomination.”

Rev. Warren will facilitate the installation.

“See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:19) is fitting as Rev. Smith becomes the first African American pastor at the nearly 145-year-old church.

“I am the servant of Christ,” Rev. Smith said. “This is not my church, but Christ’s church, and I have the sacred trust to serve in the building of God’s Kingdom.”

With a diverse background in the military, ministry, counseling and education, Rev. Smith will be a blessing to the church and community.

On behalf of Mt. Tabor UCC, Rev. Smith and his wife Freddie invite friends, family and the community to join in this momentous occasion.

About Mt. Tabor UCC

Mt. Tabor United Church of Christ was officially founded in 1883 as Mt. Tabor Reformed Church.

Prior to that time, attendance at Pilgrim Reformed Church was difficult because travel was by walking, horseback or horse-drawn vehicles. During a prayer meeting at Katie Crotts’ home in the Crotts community, it was proposed that a church be built there to meet the spiritual needs of local residents.

A proposal for a community church was subsequently presented to and authorized by the Classis of North Carolina. Worship services were initially held in homes and under a brush arbor. The first Mt. Tabor Church building was constructed in 1884.

Since then, the church has provided spiritual ministry for generations.

Today, the congregation gathers for worship, fellowship, community events and activities at 1002 East Holly Grove Road in Lexington in a modern multi-building complex that includes a playground and a walking trail surrounding a small park.

For more information visit:
https://www.mttaborucc.org