Dr. George Smiling, pastor, received Christ as his Savior as a teenager at his home church, Cherryvale Baptist in Sumter, SC. Through his involvement in various ministries, God called him to preach the gospel. On September 4, 1988 he announced his call to the ministry and was later ordained in 1997. He studied and earned degrees from several colleges: Diploma in Bible from Word of Life Bible Institute, in N.Y;Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee Temple University; Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Temple Baptist Seminary.

 

He and his wife Barbara were married on December 16, 1989. They have four living children. In 1997, he and his family moved to Columbia as missionaries to start a church. On February 20, 2000, Foundation Baptist Church officially began with 15 charter members. The church held services for years in various locations. On November 1, 2013, the church obtained a church building located at 1502 Faraway Drive which was formerly Columbia Baptist Temple. Pastor Smiling loves people and desires to reach people from all walks of life.