About Zion UMC
in North Las Vegas, Nevada
Rev. Dr. Khalif A. Smith Sr.
Rev. Dr. Khalif Akil Smith Sr. Biographical Information
Raised in New York City from birth until age 18 as the child of a United Methodist pastor, where he served numerous positions in the Church from acolyte to Sunday school teacher. As a young adult he worked at United Methodist Church camps as a counselor, served community youth as a mentor, served as a youth delegate at New York Annual Conference and worked with homeless shelters and senior living facilities throughout the New York metropolitan area.
Khalif moved to Georgia in 1991 to pursue a college education. He attended DeVry University where he completed a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Telecommunications Management. He returned to DeVry University to complete a B.S. in Information Technology and went on to complete a M.I.T (Master of Information Technology) degree at American Intercontinental University.
Khalif decided to answer God’s calling upon his life in 2006 after serving Grayson United Methodist Church as a Sunday school teacher for adults and Senior High youth. He is a graduate of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University having completed a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) with a focus on Food Insecurity and Asset Based Community Development.
Khalif has served as the Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, as Co-Pastor of Dacula United Methodist Church, and as Senior pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church, in the North GA Conference. He has also served as the Senior pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Las Vegas and the Senior pastor of First UMC Mesa, in the Desert Southwest Conference.
He has served on several conference and districts committees such as BOM (Board of Ordained Ministry), East District DCOM (District Board of Ordained Ministry), UMSM (United Methodist Social Ministries), North District Board of Campus Ministries, Conference Trustees, Covenant Council, Conference Committee on a Way Forward, Conference Culture Task Force, as well as the Chair of ELCC (Ethnic Local Church Concerns), and the Chair of CORR (Commission on Religion and Race).
Khalif served as the Director of Connectional Ministries for the Desert Southwest Conference from 2023-2025.
His family consists of his wife Nikki and his children Cassie, Khalif II, Asti, and Zoe, who are all very supportive and active in his ministry. Khalif has a strong sense of purpose and passion for spreading the Gospel, as well as a deep dedication to God, family and community.
I look forward to serving Zion United Methodist Church in Las Vegas, where I believe that my gifts for building community, passion for social justice in food insecurity, and adaptive leadership skills will be used to steward the vision of our incredible Conference, “A healthy church for a healthy world.” I believe that my history of serving in leadership as a bridge builder will help me to strengthen the connections within the ministries of the North Las Vegas community, and the connections to the agricultural community and the people that they serve.
The History of Zion
Zion United Methodist Church (UMC) is the oldest United Methodist Church in the Las Vegas Valley. Zion UMC’s 100+ year history began in 1917, twelve years after Las Vegas, NV was founded. The comparatively few African-Americans living in the city worshipped with the congregation of First Methodist Church on Third and Bridger Streets before they initiated the move to establish their own church. Mrs. Mary Neetles and Mr. A.B. “Pop” Mitchell and others successfully petitioned Union Pacific Railroad to donate a parcel of land for a church site at the northeast corner of Second and Ogden Streets (now Casino Center and Ogden). A small frame building approximately 25 feet by 12 feet was erected and housed the first African-American congregation in Las Vegas until 1945.
Mrs. Neetles invited Rev. Bradford of Arizona to come and organize the group into a congregation, and he agreed, becoming the first pastor of the newly-organized, non-denominational, community church. From 1917 until 1940, the congregation was served on a part-time basis by ministers appointed to First Methodist Church by the Southern California-Arizona Conference of The United Methodist Church.
During this era, District Superintendent Baker and Rev. Floyd Gilbert were especially helpful to this newest member of the Las Vegas church community. Their efforts are worthy of special commendation. In 1940, Rev. Henry Cook was appointed to Zion, becoming the first black pastor and first full-time pastor, an appointment made possible with financial support from the Southern California-Arizona Conference. Rev. Cook served until 1945.
From its conception and a long line of clergy serving the church, Zion UMC has contributed to the community, from providing the first Day Care Center sponsored by a black church, to serving as a voice for social justice and creating a community garden and urban farm for its neighborhood. Zion’s rich legacy is not contained within the walls at 2108 North Revere Street, its current location. It flows from one person to the next, one street to the next, and across cities and nations. This legacy began with Sis. Neetles and Bro. Mitchell and is still moving, as Zion moves to greatness.
Worship on Sundays at 9:00 AM
We offer weekly bible studies and an incredible garden ministry. Let us know how you want to get involved.
Find us at 2108 Revere St, North Las Vegas, NV 89030.
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Contact Zion UMC at:
2108 Revere Street
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
702-648-7806
© 2024 Zion United Methodist Church
