Evangelist Melanie Pichon-Smith is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. The wife of Henry Smith, Jr., and mother of Phillip and Henry III. From the very beginning the enemy posted a mandate to destroy the plan of God for her life while in her mother’s womb. A car accident caused her mother to go into premature labor that resulted in Melanie’s early arrival. From the onset, the enemy attempted to cancel God’s assignment for this vessel. Many struggles, setbacks, and disappointments became the breeding ground for fear, loneliness, guilt, and sickness. "But thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place." 2 Corinthians 2:14

Melanie’s compassion for the Gospel began early in life during Sunday school. She has been preaching since 1989 both near and far. Her concern and compassion for Sisters and the many faults and failures that plague them is the focal point of her ministry called Forgiven. She knows what it is like to feel as though your past will never allow you to have a future. The enemy capitalized upon her emotions and spirituality with every mistake she made. Melanie came to a point in life where she had to experience the forgiveness of God as well as His mercy for herself . It was then she realized that He was there in spite of every mistake, every fault, and failure. People gave up on her but God never did! His love and purpose for Melanie was all wrapped inside those seemingly tough times and bad choices. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Who is Forgiven?

Forgiven is an outreach ministry that is commissioned to help those who are confined (especially Mothers). We travel to state, federal, and local prison facilities all over the United States proclaiming the love of Jesus. Our primary tools are the Holy Bible and the workbook written by Evangelist Pichon-Smith entitled “A Spiritual Ladder to Forgiveness.”

Over two thousand copies of this workbook has been distributed to various correctional facilities. There is no charge to the facilities for the books or the seminars. We are able to accomplish this by using proceeds from seminars hosted at churches, conferences, etc. We also have some very faithful Men and Women who sow monthly to ensure copies of the books are mailed to facilities monthly.  Our goal is to build a community center that would assist homeless mothers with education and job skills.

Currently, Evangelist Pichon-Smith has to report for a military tour to Iraq. However, Forgiven will continue to support various facilities monthly in her absence.