Our Leadership

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Pastor Robert L. Smith IV - a New Haven native - is a dedicated husband, father, and man of God. Called to preach over 20 years ago, he has been a pastor for fourteen years, leading the flock of Mount Calvary Deliverance Tabernacle Church in Hamden. Overseeing the spiritual and physical mental health of his members, he has launched and supervised several programs that have provided sustainable support for those within the church as well as impacting those in the community.  

In addition to his pastoral duties, Pastor Smith works for the New Haven Board of Education in the Youth Community and Family Engagement Department. In 2015, he founded Family Life Resources (FLR), a community agency that provides mentorship services to at-risk, young men of color. To date, FLR has provided mentoring to over 100 young men, from both New Haven and Bridgeport, who have become instrumental and positive influencers in their communities. In 2020, FLR partnered with the Jayden D. Berry Foundation to provide $10,000 in scholarship awards to deserving high school seniors for continued education. 

A natural collaborator, Pastor Smith constantly seeks ways to enrich the lives and initiatives of others towards the creation of positive impact beyond the walls of the church. For several years, he has committed to a partnership between the Church and Bereavement Care Network with an Annual Pre-Resurrection Day Memorial Service for families who have experienced the loss of a loved one that year. 

A gifted writer and musician, Pastor Smith has composed music and written countless songs throughout most of his life. In 2020, he successfully recorded and released two songs with the church choir entitled “All of My Help” and “Up There.” Most notable, he is a Grammy nominated writer for Album of the Year, having written and composed I Won’t Go Back, released on the album Choirmaster, by Ricky Dillard in 2020. 

Standing in support and encouragement of his many endeavors is his wife, First Lady Kristen R. Smith, and four children, ReYanda, Michael, Robert, and Morgan. He is a graduate of James Hillhouse High School and received a BS in Managerial Organization from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). In 2019, he earned a MA in Leadership from Albertus Magnus College.