Ronald Smith appointed Albany’s city chaplain

ALBANY — City of Albany officials have announced the appointment of Ronald Frederick Smith as the new city chaplain, a role that places him at the intersection of faith, public service and community care. With more than 35 years of pastoral, chaplaincy, emergency response, and public safety experience, Smith brings a depth of leadership uniquely suited to serving the city’s employees, first responders and residents.

Smith, a longtime Albany resident, has dedicated his life to service across multiple arenas, including the church, health care, education, military, fire service, corporate risk management, and law enforcement support. His appointment reflects the city’s commitment to providing emotional, spiritual, and crisis-based support to those who serve and protect the community.

Currently serving as Senior Pastor of Berachah Fellowship Church, a position he has held since 2003, Smith has spent decades counseling individuals and families through grief, trauma, addiction, and major life transitions. His pastoral work has extended far beyond the pulpit, engaging the broader Albany community during moments of crisis and recovery.

“Chaplaincy is not about a title, it’s about presence,” Smith said. “It’s about showing up when people are hurting, confused, or overwhelmed, and letting them know they don’t have to walk through it alone.”

Smith’s appointment as city chaplain is supported by a career that spans multiple public service sectors. Since 2001, he has served as a Certified Hospital Chaplain at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, where he has provided spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and medical staff in emergency rooms, trauma units, and end-of-life situations.

His familiarity with high-stress environments also comes from years of hands-on emergency response experience. Smith previously served as a fire lieutenant and EMT at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany from 1986 to 1989, where he directed firefighting crews, delivered emergency medical care, and led training initiatives. Prior to that, he worked as a firefighter with the Albany Fire Department from 1984 to 1986, responding to fire and rescue calls while educating the community on safety practices.

These experiences have given Smith a first-hand understanding of the physical and emotional toll placed on first responders—a perspective he said he considers vital in his role as city chaplain.

Smith also has worked closely with the Albany Police Department, including serving as a negotiator during a suicide crisis. His involvement highlighted the expanding role of chaplaincy beyond traditional settings, emphasizing collaboration between faith leaders, law enforcement and social services.

“Moments of crisis demand calm, compassion, and trust,” Smith said. “My role is to support officers and staff not only during emergencies, but also in the aftermath, when the weight of those experiences can linger.”

As city chaplain, Smith will provide confidential counseling, grief support, and spiritual care to law enforcement officers, city employees and their families. He will also be available during critical incidents, tragedies and times of communal loss.

In addition to his ministry and emergency service background, Smith spent 20 years in risk management at Procter & Gamble in Albany. In that role, he identified operational risks, implemented safety programs, and trained employees, experiences that strengthened his skills in leadership, crisis prevention and organizational care.

Earlier in his career, Smith served as chaplain for the Dougherty County School System from 1988 to 1993, providing pastoral support to Westover High’s boys basketball program within the school’s sports community.

His foundation in chaplaincy began during his service in the U.S. Army with the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade from 1979 to 1983, where he handled top-secret telecommunications and served as a chaplain assistant, supporting soldiers with counseling and morale care.

Smith holds multiple certifications that support his work, including Certified Hospital Chaplain credentials through Phoebe and Certified Community Chaplain certification from Restoration Bible Training Center in Macon. Through community chaplaincy, he has provided care in hospitals, correctional facilities and public settings while partnering with agencies to support veterans, first responders and underserved populations.

His core competencies include crisis counseling, trauma care, grief and bereavement support, conflict resolution, emergency response, and ethical confidentiality, skills that are critical in a city chaplaincy role.

City officials say Smith’s appointment reflects Albany’s dedication to holistic care, recognizing that emotional and spiritual well-being are essential components of a healthy work force and community.

As city chaplain, Smith said he plans to remain accessible and engaged, emphasizing trust, discretion and compassion. His vision includes strengthening partnerships between city departments, faith communities and service organizations, while continuing to advocate for the well-being of those who serve the city daily.

“I love this city, and I believe in its people,” Smith said. “My commitment is to serve Albany with humility, integrity, and care, walking alongside our leaders, our first responders, and our citizens through every season.”

With decades of experience and a lifetime devoted to service, Smith steps into his new role not only as a chaplain but as a steady presence for a city that continues to move forward together.