REVEREND NATOYA THOMAS-SMITH,        

Dip. Ed., Dip. Min., BA, MDiv., MT.S.

The Rev. Natoya Thomas-Smith is from Mavis Bank which is in the Parish of St. Andrew in the island of Jamaica. She is from a Christian family with a solid Methodist background.  Her Christian faith matured at the Mt. Fletcher Methodist Church where she progressed through Sunday school and participated in the various ministries of the church before her acceptance as a candidate for full-time ministry.

Before offering herself as a candidate for ministry, Rev. Thomas-Smith read for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish Language and Literature at the University of the West Indies, Mona. Afterwards, she obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Education and Training and taught Spanish at prominent high schools in Jamaica. 

Since coming to Pittsburgh, Rev. Thomas-Smith has worked in higher education at Carnegie Mellon University and as a chaplain with the Foundation of Hope.  Rev. Thomas-Smith received her ministerial training at the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) where she earned a Master of Divinity and a Diploma in Ministerial Studies. As a Minister-In-Training she served circuits in the Jamaica, Panama/Costa Rica and South Caribbean Districts of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA). During her sojourn at both the UTCWI and at the University of the West Indies she got opportunities to study abroad at the Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia and at La Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia as an exchange student.  Upon completing her ministerial training, the Connexional Conference stationed her in the Jamaica District of the MCCA. Her first appointment was as a probationer presbyter in the Montego Bay/Mt. Ward Circuit. While in that station she completed the requirements for ordination and the Conference voted to receive her into full connexion. After spending seven years in Western Jamaica, Rev. Natoya and family were stationed in Eastern Jamaica in the St. Thomas Circuit. They both served in that circuit for three years before coming to the United States in 2022 for further studies. She completed the Master of Theological Studies program at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 2024.

As a pastoral leader, Rev. Thomas-Smith has placed emphasis on human development, Christian Education and Pastoral Care. She has contributed to devotionals, taught Bible Study, and produced Bible study materials for congregational use, summer camps, zone rallies and other occasions. She has helped with the preparation of liturgies for use districtwide. She has furthered mission projects and spearheaded

new initiatives, such as a circuit food pantry, and a weekly program on radio which she and her husband hosted.

Rev. Thomas-Smith devoted time to the Camping Ministry of the Jamaica Methodist District. She has served both as a director for camp and a camp counselor. At the District level she has served on the General Education, Christian Education and Camps Planning Committees.  Rev. Thomas-Smith enjoys camping, playing board games, spending time with family and sightseeing. She is married to the Rev. Abasilum Smith. They are the parents of Abasilum Gunter.