In 1972, District Elder Francis Smith was elevated to the Bishopric of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and was assigned to the Southern Tri-State Council, whose jurisdiction was churches in Mississippi, Alabama, and West Tennessee.

He served for two years as the Assistant Presiding Bishop of the organization under then-Presiding Bishop Ross P. Paddock. In 1974, Smith was elected Presiding Bishop of the organization. He served as Presider for two, three-year terms from 1974 - 1980.

In 1989, Bishop Smith was assigned to the Third Episcopal Diocese of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World— his home state of Ohio. Bishop Smith showed a sincere burden for the welfare of all Ohio pastors and congregations and as Diocesan was reportedly very accessible to his people.