Bishop Lawrence Samuel Smith Sr. was born on January 23, 1940, in St. Augustine, Florida. Bishop Smith was the youngest male child born to the late James & Gladys Smith. During his early childhood the family moved to Baltimore, MD for just a few years, before relocating permanently to Philadelphia. Bishop Smith was educated through the Philadelphia school system, receiving his diploma from Overbrook High School in 1958. He worked on different jobs over the next several years, until he began employment with The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1976.

In 1960 he met Alice V. Brown. After several years of courting and falling deeply in love, they decided to get married. On July 6, 1963 they became husband and wife. After just a month of marriage, Bishop Smith was drafted into the Army. He served for two years before returning home and was honorably discharged. The Lord has blessed Bishop & Lady Smith with six children, Lawrence Jr., Michael, Simeon, Sarai, Beth and Reuben. They have four daughter-in-laws and two son-in-laws. In addition, Bishop & Lady are the proud grandparents of eleven grandchildren.

In February 1994, under the unction of the Holy Spirit Bishop Smith was led to pastor in his home with his family. Over the next year he sought out a place to worship. The Lord led him back to South Philadelphia where he was raised. In October 1996, Refuge Deliverance House of Prayer moved to 1715 Snyder Avenue. In 1999, Bishop changed the church name to Abundant Harvest House of Prayer. During that time God began adding souls to the church just as He said He would. Bishop's desire to Pastor full-time and his great love for God's people led him to retire from his state position in April 2001 after 25 years of service. On November 22, 2002, settlement was made on 630 McKean St. Abundant Harvest House of Prayer's new church home.

Pastor Lawrence Smith is also a great missionary. He has traveled to Zimbabwe, Africa on several occasions, teaching, giving, and spreading the Word of God. Pastor Smith has been elevated in the Lord. He was appointed Assistant Superintendent of the Eastern Division in the House of God on September 12, 2003. On July 22, 2005, during the National Convocation, Pastor Smith was elevated from a Vicar Bishop to an ordained Bishop and was installed on the Apostle Board of the House of God.

In April 2007, Apostle Smith was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma which is a form of bone cancer. The cancer caused Pastor Smith to be in servere pain and at times he could barely walk. Apostle Smith was hospitalized many times during his illness, however, when he was not in the hospital he exhibited great faith and continued to come out to service and glorify God even in pain. In October 2007, the Lord honored the prayers of the saints and Apostle Smith was healed of cancer. Pastor Smith continues to live and declare the works of the Lord (Psalms 118:17).