Pastor Isiah Smalls
Shepherd, Teacher, Servant
A Word from Our Pastor
”Like the Prophet Isaiah, when the Lord asked, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' I answered, 'Here am I. Send me!' God wants us to get back to Eden and start living on top of the world. Do good, and good will come back to you.”
Pastor Smalls is the 5th and youngest child of the late Dea. Louis Smalls and the late Susie Porter Smalls. Baptized into the body of Christ at Friendship 58 years ago, he has dedicated his entire life to the service of the Lord, his family, the church, and the community. A cum laude graduate of South Carolina State University and retired Director of Public Works for the City of Beaufort, Pastor Smalls has served Friendship in every capacity — from cutting grass as a boy to leading the congregation as its shepherd.
“To God be the Glory!”
Our First Lady
Marie Smalls
On June 7, 1980, Pastor Smalls married his best friend, childhood sweetheart, and love of his life, First Lady Marie Simmons Smalls. Together, they carry the vision God has placed on Friendship Baptist Church, each one strengthening what the other builds.
They are the proud parents of four children: Natarcia (Thomas) Bloomfield, Isiah 'Ike' Smalls II, Patrice (Devin) Dash, and Aaron Louis (Janay) Smalls. They are also blessed with 13 grandchildren. Known for her warmth, grace, and genuine love for every person who walks through the doors of the church, First Lady Smalls has a gift for making people feel seen and valued.
She and Pastor Smalls share a deep conviction that the church is a family — and they lead it as one. Their partnership is a living example of what it means to serve the Lord together, building each other up and pouring into the congregation with a unified heart. Where he preaches the Word, she nurtures the people. Where he casts the vision, she helps carry it forward. They are, in every sense, a team.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up." — Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
“I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”
— Jeremiah 3:15
His Journey
The path God has laid before Pastor Smalls
Baptized into the Body of Christ
On August 27, 1967, at the age of 11, Isiah Smalls was baptized and became a member of the Friendship Baptist Church. Even at that early age, he was in the service of the Lord — sweeping, cutting grass, carrying building materials, and caring for the church's 'Praise House' on Sam's Point, following in the footsteps of his father, Dea. Louis Smalls, Chairman of the Trustee Board.
Education & Career
A 1974 graduate of Beaufort High School, Pastor Smalls graduated cum laude from South Carolina State University in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and economics. He went on to serve 30 years with the City of Beaufort, including 21 years as Director of Public Works, retiring June 30, 2015.
Called to Serve as Deacon
Pastor Smalls served as a deacon at Friendship Baptist for 16 years (1994–2010), including six years as Assistant Chairman (2004–2010). During this time, he served as Project and Finance Manager for the most extensive renovation in the church's history — a $375,000 remodeling of the sanctuary and addition of 1,700 square feet of classroom and office space.
Licensed & Ordained
In September 1991, the Lord revealed a ministry to then-Brother Smalls. For 19 years, God shaped his spiritual growth through trials, tribulations, and revelations — teaching him servitude through patience, steadfastness, boldness, and humbleness. In 2010, he received the confirmation of a higher calling and was licensed on May 30, 2010 and ordained on September 26, 2010.
Installed as Pastor
On October 10, 2011, the Friendship Baptist Church selected Minister Smalls as their Pastor, with formal installation services held November 20, 2011. Pastor Smalls loves God, God's people, and God's sanctuary. He has served on various ministries throughout his entire life at Friendship: Trustee Ministry (10 years), Sunday School teacher (25 years), and Youth/Adult/Senior Choirs (44+ years combined).
Pressing Forward
Under Pastor Smalls' leadership, the church mortgage was paid off in 2014, the fellowship hall was expanded by nearly 1,000 sq ft ($270,000, debt-free), and five acres of adjacent land were gifted to the church, doubling its property to 10 acres. Through the Covid-19 pandemic, his innovative Parking Lot Services kept the congregation worshiping safely for over 15 months. He continues to unapologetically teach the Word of God, reach out to the lost, and win souls for the Kingdom.
Vision & Philosophy
The pillars that guide Pastor Smalls' ministry at Friendship Baptist
Teacher of the Word
Pastor Smalls is a teacher of the Word. He encourages members to be part of Sunday School and Bible Study ministries, where the Word is taught in depth and detail. He has kindled new vigor, vitality, commitment, and spirituality in Word-based worship services at Friendship.
Vision & Stewardship
Pastor Smalls reminds Friendship of Proverbs 29:18 — 'Where there is no vision, the people perish.' He constantly directs focus toward the physical and structural needs of the church while caring for God's people spiritually, physically, financially, economically, and socially. He computerized church finances and implemented a culture of transparency.
Love & Non-Judgment
Pastor Smalls has fostered a culture of non-judgment, friendliness, kindness, forgiveness, and love at Friendship. He eliminated traditions that hindered people from coming to Christ, believing faithfully in the saying: 'Do good, and good will come back to you.' His life philosophy is rooted in Luke 12:48 — 'For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.'
Contact Pastor Smalls
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Featured Sermons
Recent messages from Pastor Smalls