Dr. G. Antonio Smart

Pastor’s Biography

G. Antonio Smart was born on June 11, 1957 in Ancon, Panama. Both of his parents were employed by the US government in the Panama Canal Zone. Trained to read English and Spanish at an early age, his appetite for learning and teaching himself new truths inspired his parents to buy him a forty-seven volume Encyclopedia at age ten. After graduating from High School and attending the University of Panama Pharmacy school for two years he moved to the US intending to major in a Medical Science area of study. In 1979, at the age of twenty-one he trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was re-born into the family of God. As a new Christian he found that his ambitions changed. He served in the US Air Force from 1979 until 1988. While on active duty in the military he received the call to preach the Gospel. He has earned a BA degree in Human Resources Administration from Saint Leo University, a Master of Ministry from the Covington Theological Seminary of Rossville, Georgia and a Doctor of Ministries in Theology from Landmark Baptist College in Haines City, FL. He has lived in Tampa since 1985.

G. Antonio (Tony) Smart is the founding pastor of Victory Baptist Church of Tampa; he also heads the Christian Academy there and is the Director of the Bible Institute. He has authored two books: Confronting Cultures with Scriptures and The Family Sermon. He also currently serves as the Moderator of the Independent Baptist Fellowship; a group of pastors dedicated to the faithful exposition of Scripture and the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith. He strongly supports the traditional family, religious liberty and school choice.

Pastor Smart has been married to his wife Maritza for over 25 years and they have raised two daughters.