PBA Welcomes Dr. Kyler Smith

Dr. Kyler Smith Called as Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church

The Pulaski Baptist Association is pleased to welcome Dr. Kyler Smith as the new Senior Pastor of the historic Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock. Dr. Smith becomes the eighteenth Senior Pastor in the church’s history and was unanimously called by the congregation in 2025.

A native of Oklahoma, Dr. Smith was saved, baptized, discipled, and called to pastoral ministry at Heritage Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Prior to coming to Immanuel, he served churches in North Carolina, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, faithfully investing in preaching, discipleship, and church leadership.

Dr. Smith holds a B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and both a Th.M. and Ph.D. in Preaching from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.

In addition to his pastoral ministry, Dr. Smith has served in several important denominational leadership roles. He previously served as a Trustee of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he was also named to the seminary’s Presidential Search Committee in 2025. He has also served as a Trustee for the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina in Thomasville.

Dr. Smith is known as a passionate preacher with a deep commitment to the authority of Scripture. His preaching is Christ-centered, expository, and evangelistic, with a desire to communicate God’s Word in a way that is clearly understood by people of all ages. Alongside his love for preaching, he carries a pastor’s heart for the local church and is committed to shepherding the members of Immanuel to make disciples and live on mission.

Kyler and his wife Lauren have one daughter, Eliza, and are expecting a son in May 2026.

The churches of the Pulaski Baptist Association celebrate with Immanuel Baptist Church and look forward to how God will continue to use Dr. Smith and the congregation as they serve Christ and reach their community with the Gospel.