Minister Teresa L Smith is a native of Middletown, CT. She is a graduate of Providence College, where she received a B.S. in Finance. She furthered her education, earning an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She is now retired but was employed by Fulton County Finance Department as the Financial Systems Manager in Accounting and worked for several years for the Atlanta Public School System as the Financial Reporting Manager. In 2012, she changed careers, becoming an educator with Henry County Schools.

Minister Teresa L. Smith is the founder and director of the NVOF Music Institute.  She is a musician, singer, and songwriter.  Minister Smith began playing piano at the age of nine. She studied privately with several instructors for many years.  She also plays clarinet and played in the Providence College Symphonic Band and Pep Band.  In addition to piano and clarinet, Minister Smith plays organ, guitar, drums, recorder, and many other instruments.

Minister Smith has played professionally and, most notably, was the pianist for two musical productions at Wesleyan University, "The Amen Corner" and Mama's House.  She was a member of the Sounds of Joy ensemble, the CT chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), the Greater Hartford Summer Music Workshop, Marichal Monts and Friends, and Celebration, and is currently a member of the the Atlanta Chapter of the GMWA.  For several years, she was the musician for and sang with Sisters in Christ.

Most importantly, she loves the Lord, was saved at the age of 16, and was baptized at the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Middletown, CT. She served faithfully as pianist and choir director for the Youth Choir and Male Chorus until moving to Georgia in 1989.  She continued to use her gift in music ministry at Bethsaida Baptist Church in Stone Mountain, GA, and Mt Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur, GA. In 2002, she accepted her calling into ministry and was licensed at Mt Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of her husband, Pastor Smith.  She now serves as the First Lady of New Vision of Faith Ministries and in the capacity of the Minister of Music and Arts. She is also the lead instructor of the New Vision of Faith Ministerial Training Institute.  

Minister Smith is a loving wife to Bishop Eugene Smith, and together they have five amazing children and six grandchildren.