Bishop Charles Dean, pastor of Lakeview Church of God, congratulates church member, Lavette Smith on winning the Miss Gospel Bahamas Pageant. The new queen was officially presented to her church on Sunday, August 14. Photo by Precision Media

Nassau, Bahamas - For more than a decade, Sunday school teacher Lavette Smith attended Lakeview Church of God, but this past weekend marked the first time she received a red carpet welcome.

On Sunday, August 14, the 24-year-old was officially presented to her church as the new Miss Gospel Bahamas 2011/2012.

The church’s foyer was decorated for her joyous homecoming. A “Congratulations” banner dangled from the ceiling. Underneath it were three of the garments the queen wore the night she was crowned: the ‘Esther’ outfit which won her ‘Best Costume’ in the Biblical float parade and the dresses from the pageant’s talent and evening wear segments.

It was two weeks ago - in an intense competition - when Smith beat nine hopefuls to capture the crown.

During the queen's official presentation to her church, Lakeview’s Inner Circle youth group member, Janay Saunders paid tribune to Ms Smith in a poem. The queen was also serenaded by the church’s choir with a stirring rendition of the gospel hit, “Fully Committed.”

In his sermon, Bishop Charles Dean noted how Ms Smith foretold that she would win the crown.

“Lavette expected God to work a miracle,” he preached. “When you follow God’s lead, He will always work it out for you.”

Bishop Dean challenged pageant organizers to always ferret out the best contestants. 

“This committee must continue to search for the most inwardly and outwardly beautiful, good role model for this generation,” he said. “Young people need women who display the fear of God and have grown into skilled, educated, articulate, productive members of society.”

Ms Smith's journey so far has been humbling.

“I am honoured to have this assignment placed on my head,” the queen said, pointing to her crown. “I know that I am chosen for this season. It was confirmed over and over. I am asking God to help me to keep myself humble during this time.”

  

“I was a role model before,” adds Ms Smith, who currently serves as the Inner Circle president. “But, the stakes are higher now.”

During her year-long reign, the queen will carry out charitable work in conjunction with Great Commission Ministries International, the organization which founded the Miss Gospel Bahamas pageant. 

“We thank God that we are blessed to have such a wonderful queen,” said Great Commission’s Bishop Walter Hanchell. He was quick to note that all contestants were qualified to win the Miss Gospel Bahamas title.

“They were all born again and active in their church,” he told Lakeview's congregation. “We don’t allow just anyone to enter. We screen very carefully.”

Bishop Hanchell believes that 2011/2012 is going to be “the best year ever” for Miss Gospel Bahamas. 

“We aim to see every island in The Bahamas present us with a representative on pageant night,” he said.

For now, the pageant committee is secure in the knowledge that it has an exceptional queen.

“From the moment that crown sat on her head, we noticed that this is indeed a woman of God...with a heart and passion to follow the things of God,” said pageant committee chair, Anya McKenzie.

A past Miss Gospel queen herself, Ms McKenzie believes the pageant “sets the standard” for young people. The Bahamas, she said, needs young women and men “who will stand for God and stand for righteousness.”