Lauri Smalls was licensed to preach by Rev. Dr. Vincent L. Thompson, Jr. of Community Baptist Church in July 1993 and was installed as Transitional Pastor for Community Baptist Church in January of 2019, following the retirement of Pastor Thompson. She is a founding member of PTR Ministries, launched in October 2021. She was recently voted as the pastor-elect of Union Baptist Church in MA, becoming the first female pastor in the church’s 126 years.