For Smokie Norful, the musical heritage and the ministry traditions of the African-American church Black church were integral parts of his upbringing. The son of a pastor, he learned the ways of God and the role of ministry in the bosom of the AME church. That rich inheritance inspired his passion as a recording artist and songwriter, while laying a firm foundation for his current work as Senior Pastor of the nondenominational, Chicago-area ministry Victory Cathedral Worship Center.