Smith Metropolitan AME Zion Church - Poughkeepsie, NY

Gortman is a native of Long Island, growing up and graduating from the Hempstead Public School District. He received his calling to the ministry at an early age while worshipping at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Elmont New York where the pastor was the late Rev. He had an urgency to study the word, so while attending high school he also studied and graduated from the Bethel Bible Institute in Queens, N

ew York. From High School, he attended Oral Roberts University studying Liberal Arts aspiring to return home giving back to his community as a High School guidance counselor. He is no novice to the work of ministry having traveled the United States eastern coast and the Caribbean Islands proclaiming the marvelous and majestic name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through workshops and revivals. He credits his early start in the A.M.E. Zion Church to his former pastor the Late Rev. Dr. Leon Walter Watts II at Jackson Memorial. It was during this period of time he was afforded the opportunity of a trial sermon and introduction to the A.M.E. Watts who encouraged him to pursue religious studies at New York Theological Seminary, from where he completed his studies. While at Jackson Memorial, under the tutelage of the Rev. Harris, he completed a Bachelor of Theology and a Masters in Christian Education at Open Bible College Theological Seminary. Gortman also acknowledges the tutelage of Rev. Dr. Calvin Marshall during his studies both district and conference as well as throughout his tenure as pastor. Finally, he is forever grateful to Presiding Elder Branch and Bishop Dennis. V. Proctor for giving him the opportunity to serve as a pastor in the North Eastern District. He believes in community wellness, restoration of the mind, body and soul as well as restoring and building God’s structural temples to excellence. Serving at St. Mary, Foster Memorial, Wesley, and St. John allowed him to encourage the membership to move in these capacities (2011-2020)
Pastor Gortman, a firm believer in teaching the people the purpose of real worship and how to be Christ like in your daily walk. It is his ultimate objective to demonstrate true Christian leadership by presenting himself as a living example of devotion not only to kingdom building but also to the community as well as family. He is married to Barbara Olden Gortman and together they have three beautiful adult children: Timothy, Rachel and Joshua along with two wonderful daughters-in-law: Jaleesa and Robin.