Dr. Kyler Smith serves as the eighteenth Senior Pastor of the historic Immanuel Baptist Church of Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was unanimously called in 2025 after having served churches in North Carolina, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

A native of Oklahoma, Dr. Smith was saved, baptized, discipled, and called to pastoral ministry at Heritage Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. He earned a B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, an M.Div. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as a Th.M. and a Ph.D. in Preaching from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.  

 Dr. Smith has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, and was named to its Presidential Search Committee in 2025. He also served on the Board of Trustees for the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina in Thomasville, NC.
A passionate preacher, Dr. Smith is committed to preaching Christ-centered sermons that are expository, evangelistic, and clearly understood by all ages. His love for God’s Word is matched by his love for Christ’s church. He is a pastor at heart, shepherding every member of Immanuel to make disciples and live on mission.  
Dr. Smith is married to Lauren and together they have a daughter, Eliza, and are expecting a son in May 2026.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…”
Hebrews 4:12