by Eron Henry | Apr 19, 2024 | News
In the first morning worship service at the 2024 Lott Carey Spring Missions Conference, which runs April 18-19, at Fountain Baptist Church in Summit, New Jersey, Rev. Dr. Renita Weems, a venerated author, biblical scholar, and public intellectual, delivered a stirring sermon that delved into the open-ended narrative of the Book of Acts.
Dr. Weems opened her discourse with an exploration of Acts 28, where the Apostle Paul, under house arrest, continues his ministry for two years, unfettered by chains, proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. She voiced a sentiment familiar to many believers – the abrupt ending of Acts feels akin to the anti-climax of a film that rolls credits just as the plot thickens, leaving the audience yearning for resolution.
However, Dr. Weems proposed a thought-provoking perspective: what if the Holy Spirit intended for this lack of closure? She suggested that the story of Jesus’ life and ministry is an ongoing saga, with the “29th chapter” still being penned by the hands of those who follow in the footsteps of the early church.
Highlighting the significance of personal narratives in the tapestry of faith, Dr. Weems referenced the emergence of African denominations and congregations such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the First African Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia, the oldest Black Church in North America. These, she argued, are vibrant threads in the “29th chapter,” embodying the continuous work of the Holy Spirit in the world.
Dr. Weems urged the gathering to seize the quill of history and author their own chapters. She challenged listeners to contribute to the chronicles of faith, ensuring that the narrative of Christianity is not solely penned by the “winners” or prevailing powers but is a mosaic of diverse, individual testimonies.
by Eron Henry | Apr 17, 2024 | News
Lott Carey, a global Christian missional community, stands in unwavering solidarity with the people of Haiti during this time of unprecedented crisis. For more than a century, we have been committed to supporting the Haitian people through partnerships and aid, and today, our resolve is stronger than ever.
The current situation in Haiti is dire. Gang violence has escalated, leading to a humanitarian disaster that has left millions in need of urgent assistance. The political turmoil following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse has only intensified the instability. The recent gang war has resulted in thousands of deaths and has displaced more than 362,000 people, creating a state of fear and uncertainty.
Violence has spilled from the capital, Port au Prince, into rural areas, disrupting national supply lines and causing prices to skyrocket. This has exacerbated the hunger crisis, with 4.4 million people facing crisis levels of food insecurity. As the 2024 hurricane season draws near, the country, already grappling with poverty, now faces the threat of tropical systems that could bring heavy rain, flooding, and further damage to weakened structures.
In response to these challenges, Lott Carey pledges to continue our support for the Strategic Union of Baptist Churches in Haiti, the Haiti Baptist Convention, Mission of Grace, and other partners in Haiti. We have provided emergency aid, supported education, and sent volunteers to assist in relief efforts. Our commitment to the Haitian people remains steadfast.
We call upon the international community to join us in prayer and support for Haiti. We urge for an end to the conflict and for peace to be restored. It is our fervent hope that through collective efforts, we can help alleviate the suffering and bring about a brighter future for Haiti.
For those who wish to contribute, donations can be made to support our ongoing mission in Haiti. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by this crisis.
Lott Carey is more than an organization; we are a family united in faith and action. We stand with Haiti.
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“When you open schools, you close so many prisons.” – Linotte Joseph, Mission of Grace, Haiti
by Eron Henry | Mar 31, 2024 | Lent 2024
In the quiet walk to Emmaus, two disciples pondered the events that had unfolded. Cleopas and another, whose name history did not record, engaged in a conversation that would change their lives forever. It is in this unnamed disciple that we find a reflection of ourselves – ordinary individuals seeking understanding and truth.
As they walked, a stranger joined them, igniting their hearts with words that burned like a beacon in the night. This stranger was none other than the Risen Christ, though they knew it not. He spoke to them, not as one seeking glory or recognition, but as one imparting wisdom and hope. The scriptures came alive, and their hearts were set ablaze with a passion that only the divine word can kindle.
This narrative reminds us that in our own journey of faith, we need not be renowned or distinguished to experience the transformative power of God’s word. Our names may never be etched in the annals of history, but our hearts can still resonate with the truth of the Resurrection. We, too, can bear witness to the life-changing presence of Jesus in our lives.
The disciples’ realization that Jesus was alive transformed their despair into joy, their fear into courage. They could not contain this revelation; they rushed back to share the Good News. In their testimony, we are reminded that the message of Jesus’ resurrection is not confined to the extraordinary but is entrusted to the ordinary – to each of us.
We are called to see Jesus in the everyday, to recognize Him in the mundane, and to proclaim His living presence in our lives. The greatest news ever received – that Jesus is alive – is ours to share. It is a gift of immeasurable value, a treasure that we, ordinary people, have the honor of declaring to the world.
Let us walk our paths with hearts open to the words of Christ, allowing them to burn within us and guide us. May we, like Cleopas and the unnamed disciple, be emboldened to share the joyous truth: Jesus is alive, and His love endures forever.
Prayer
Lord, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude and awe, reflecting on the extraordinary news of the Resurrection that was shared with ordinary individuals. In the quiet walk to Emmaus, two disciples, Cleopas and an unnamed companion, were transformed by the presence of the Risen Christ. Their hearts were set ablaze with the wisdom and hope He imparted, igniting a passion that only the divine word can kindle.
We recognize in this narrative a call to our own lives: that we too, ordinary individuals, can bear witness to the life-changing presence of Jesus. We are called to see Him in the everyday, to recognize Him in the mundane, and to proclaim His living presence in our lives. The Good News of the Resurrection is not confined to the extraordinary; it is entrusted to the ordinary, to each of us.
Lord, we pray for the grace to walk our paths with hearts open to the words of Christ, allowing them to burn within us and guide us. May we, like Cleopas and the unnamed disciple, be emboldened to share the joyous truth: Jesus is alive, and His love endures forever. We ask for the strength to overcome our fears and to proclaim this Good News with love, respect, and without the desire for recognition or glory.
May we be instruments of Your love, sharing the transformative power of the Resurrection with others. Help us to encounter Jesus in our daily lives, to experience His love, and to share that love with the world. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 30, 2024 | Lent 2024
As Easter eve approaches, the Christian world enters a period of deep reflection and somber remembrance. This is a time to mourn the death of Jesus Christ, a pivotal moment in Christian faith that signifies the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s sins. The air is filled with solemn reverence, as believers contemplate the weight of this sacrifice.
Yet, even in mourning, there is a palpable sense of anticipation. Easter eve is not only about death but also about the promise of life. It is the precursor to the joyous celebration of resurrection, a cornerstone of Christian belief that proclaims victory over death and offers hope of eternal life.
In this sacred time, the faithful are called to introspection and prayer, to align their hearts with the profound mysteries of their faith. Some churches are draped in purple, the color of penitence and mourning, yet they stand ready to burst forth in the white and gold of resurrection joy.
We embrace the sorrow and the hope intertwined in this holy observance. As the sun sets on this solemn day, let us prepare our hearts for the dawn of Resurrection morning, when the cry resounds, “He is risen!” and the promise of new life is fulfilled.
We gather in the dimming light, our hearts heavy with the remembrance of the cross. The echoes of “It is finished” linger in the air, a solemn reminder of the price paid for redemption. We sit in the shadow of death, yet we know this is not the end.
As night falls, we enter into a vigil, a watchful waiting for the first light of Resurrection. It is a time to reflect on the darkness of the tomb and the light that is to come. In this sacred pause, we are reminded that life springs from death, and hope emerges from despair.
With the breaking of dawn, the mourning turns to joy. The stone is rolled away, and the grave is found empty. The resurrection is not just a past event but a present reality, offering us a glimpse of the divine and the assurance of life everlasting.
This Easter eve, let us walk the path of sorrow with the knowledge that it leads to the most glorious of mornings. Let us prepare our hearts for the resurrection, for the moment when love conquers death and life is reborn.
May the day of resurrection be filled with the profound peace and joy that comes from this assurance.
Prayer
As we approach the solemn vigil of Resurrection, we pause to reflect on the profound mysteries of faith that bind us together. In the quiet of this sacred time, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the ultimate act of love and redemption that offers us hope and the promise of eternal life. This Easter eve, we stand at the threshold of a new dawn, a time when death is conquered, and life is reborn.
Lord, we gather in the dimming light, our hearts heavy with the remembrance of the cross. We sit in the shadow of death, yet we know this is not the end. We enter into a vigil, a watchful waiting for the first light of Resurrection. In this sacred pause, we are reminded that life springs from death, and hope emerges from despair.
O God, enlighten this most holy night with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection. Preserve the spirit of adoption which You have given to all Your people, so that renewed in body and soul, we may serve You in all purity; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord, show us that love is stronger than hatred, that love is stronger than death. Descend into the darkness and the abyss of our modern age, and take by the hand those who await You. Bring them to the light! In my own dark nights, be with me to bring me forth! Help me, help all of us, to descend with You into the darkness of all those people who are still waiting for You, who out of the depths cry unto You! Help us to bring them Your light! Help us to say the “yes” of love, the love that makes us descend with You and, in so doing, also to rise with You.
As the sun sets on this solemn day, let us prepare our hearts for the dawn of Resurrection morning, when the cry resounds, “He is risen!” and the promise of new life is fulfilled. May the day of resurrection be filled with the profound peace and joy that comes from this assurance. Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 29, 2024 | Lent 2024
By six in the evening on the first Good Friday, the world was a different place. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, had died on the cross, suffering the most humiliating and agonizing death imaginable. He had been betrayed, arrested, falsely accused, mocked, whipped, and crucified by the very people He came to save. He had cried out in anguish, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” and breathed His last. His body was taken down from the cross and laid in a tomb, sealed by a large stone. His disciples were scattered, fearful, and hopeless.
The Jewish leaders were satisfied, thinking they had eliminated a threat to their authority and religion. The Roman soldiers were indifferent, having executed another criminal among many. The world seemed to have gone on as usual, oblivious to the cosmic significance of what had just happened.
But what had just happened was nothing less than the turning point of history, the climax of God’s plan of salvation, the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, and the demonstration of God’s love for humanity. Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, had offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. He had paid the price of our redemption, reconciling us to God and opening the way to eternal life. He had conquered sin and death, breaking their power and securing our victory. He had revealed the depth of God’s grace and mercy, inviting us to receive His forgiveness and friendship. He had accomplished His mission, saying, “It is finished.”
The world was a different place because of Good Friday, but not everyone recognized it. Only those who believed in Jesus as their Lord and Savior could understand the meaning and value of His death. Only those who trusted in His promises and followed His commands could experience the benefits and blessings of His sacrifice. Only those who were born again by His Spirit and united with His body could share in His resurrection and glory. Only those who loved Him and worshiped Him could appreciate His love and worship Him in spirit and truth.
Good Friday is not just a historical event or a religious observance. It is a personal encounter with the crucified and risen Lord, who invites us to join Him in His death and resurrection, and to follow Him in His mission and His glory. Let us respond to His call with faith, obedience, and love, and let us celebrate His victory with gratitude, praise, and worship.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for Your amazing love and grace, that You gave Yourself for us on the cross, to save us from our sins and to bring us to God. We praise You for Your power and glory, that You rose from the dead, to defeat our enemies and to secure our future. We worship You for Your presence and promises, that You are with us always and that You will come again to take us to Yourself.
We confess that we have not always appreciated the revolutionary difference that Your death and resurrection have made in our lives and in our world. We have often ignored, neglected, or disobeyed Your call to follow You in Your mission and Your glory. We have sometimes been ashamed, afraid, or indifferent to Your gospel and Your kingdom. We have frequently failed to love You and our neighbor as You have loved us.
Forgive us, Lord, and renew us by Your Spirit. Help us to repent of our sins and to believe in Your good news. Help us to take up our cross and to follow You, no matter the cost or the challenge. Help us to love You with all our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves, reflecting Your image and Your character. Help us to proclaim Your death and resurrection to the world, testifying to Your saving power and Your coming kingdom. Help us to rejoice in Your presence and Your promises, living in hope and joy, knowing that You are with us always and that You will come again to take us to Yourself.
We ask this in Your name, and for Your sake. Amen.
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