First Woman Elected President of United States-Based Baptist Group
Dr. Gina Stewart is the first woman elected president of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society, and the first female president of a national African American Baptist mission agency or convention.
This distinction sets her apart and emphasizes her sterling contribution to Baptist life and witness and to the broader Christian community.
Senior pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Stewart was installed during the 124th Lott Carey Annual Session held August 10-12 in Atlanta, Georgia, and streamed virtually.
She has brought with her a wealth of experience. She is a member of the Advisory Council for the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, Co-Convener for the Women in Ministry Conference, a Trustee for the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Pastors’ Conference, and a board member for the March of Dimes. She is founder of Greater Works, a nonprofit devoted to philanthropy and ministry development
Dr. Stewart is a former member of the Advisory Board for The African American Pulpit, The National Civil Rights Museum and Bread for the World.
A sought-after speaker, she has preached at notable events such as the Hampton University Minister’s Conference in Virginia and was inducted into the Martin Luther King Board of Preachers, Class of 2018.
The Tennessee native has been recognized with several prestigious awards. The long list of honors includes being the first female to receive the Carter G. Woodson Award from Southwest Community College in February 2013, the Living Legends Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the community, and the Pastor of the Year award from Citizens for Better Service.
Dr. Stewart’s association with Lott Carey goes back two decades. She gave distinguished service as a Team Leader for the Pastoral Excellence Network, one of Lott Carey’s longstanding programs, and previously served the mission agency as Second Vice President and First Vice President.
She succeeds Rev. Gregory Jackson of Hackensack, New Jersey, who was president from 2018-2021.
“I believe God is pleased with this. With Dr. Stewart and her election and selection to be president,” Rev. Jackson said. “She has been working in Lott Carey for several years. She’s been second vice president, first vice president, and now president. She was part of the Pastoral Excellence program. She has journeyed around the world and has ministered with people. She is ready.”
“Dr. Stewart’s ascendency to the presidency of Lott Carey is not only historic but also providential,” said Lott Carey Executive Secretary-Treasurer Rev. Emmett Dunn. “I celebrate this moment and welcome Dr. Stewart as a co-laborer for the Kingdom and look forward to working with her executive team of leaders to advance the ministry and mission of Lott Carey.”
She is author of We’ve Got Next: HERstory in HIStory. Her work has been featured in other publications such as Faith: Christian Leaders Reflect on the Election of Barack Obama, What We Love About the Black Church: Can We Get A Witness? and Black Practical Theology.
The new president heads a body with long term mission engagements in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America.
“Dr. Stewart stands tall not as a female leader but as a leader. Her notoriety transcends Baptist boundaries, which is an asset to the Lott Carey network,” said Rev. Dunn.
“I believe Lott Carey will expand its national and international footprint because of the visionary and prophetic giftedness she brings to our missional community. Above all, this historic moment crystalizes that indeed, ‘at Lott Carey everybody is somebody.’”
“What a joy it is to affirm the election of Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart as the next national President of Lott Carey and the first female president in its great history,” declared Dr. John M. Alexander, Jr., Chair of the Lott Carey Board of Directors.
“Dr. Stewart was faithful to Lott Carey prior to being elected to leadership in the convention. I watched her faithfulness as Second Vice President, and I was uplifted and encouraged observing her progressive and unwavering support as First Vice President. I am convinced that under Dr. Stewart’s dynamic leadership, she will lift Lott Carey to higher heights in missions locally, nationally, and globally.”
Established in 1897, Lott Carey is based in the Washington DC Metro Area and provides financial support and technical assistance in leadership development, education, training, healthcare, advocacy, and other services.
For additional information and to give support, go to the Lott Carey website at https://lottcarey.org, or email lottcarey@lottcarey.org.
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