by Eron Henry | Oct 1, 2024 | News
Lott Carey is urgently appealing to its partners, affiliates, and individuals of goodwill to make generous donations for Hurricane Helene relief. This devastating hurricane has wreaked havoc across the southeastern United States, leaving a trail of destruction from Florida to North Carolina.
Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, 2024, in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm with winds reaching 140 mph. The storm surge and heavy rains caused catastrophic flooding and widespread damage. Tampa Bay experienced a massive storm surge, while Atlanta recorded more than 11 inches of rain, the highest in its history. The storm’s impact extended far inland, affecting communities in Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left more than 100 people dead and countless others displaced. Entire communities are cut off by floods, and critical infrastructure, including hospitals and dams, are severely damaged. Immediate needs include water filters, solar lanterns, hygiene kits, and shelter.
“I appeal to our churches, brothers, and sisters in the Lott Carey family to remember those who suffer because of this recent disaster,” said Lott Carey Executive Secretary-Treasurer Rev. Emmett Dunn. “We ask that you be generous with your donations and gifts as we seek to meet these urgent needs.”
Rev. Dunn asks for prayers for those affected by Hurricane Helene. “Let us lift up in prayer the families who have lost loved ones, those who have been displaced, and the first responders working tirelessly to provide aid and support. Your prayers are a source of strength and hope in these challenging times.”
Lott Carey has a long history of providing disaster relief, from Hurricane Katrina to Hurricane Ida and beyond. We are committed to expressing the love and compassion of Christ by supporting those affected by Hurricane Helene.
To donate, please visit www.lottcarey.org/donate.
Checks may be sent to:
Lott Carey
8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 1245
Landover, MD 20785
For additional information, email us at lottcarey@lottcarey.org.
by Eron Henry | Sep 4, 2024 | News
The 127th Lott Carey Annual Session, held from August 12-15 in Memphis, TN, brought together a diverse group of attendees, with 958 people registered, including 913 in-person and 45 virtual participants.
Mission service projects were a key component of the Annual Session, with strong attendance reported. The Bread of Life Initiative provided meals to the unhoused and those facing housing insecurity. Volunteers engaged in food preparation, setting up serving stations, ministering to individuals, and serving meals with compassion.
Those who went to the Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry packed emergency food boxes, sorted food pallets, and ensured the packing area was clean and organized. They also conducted a distribution event, breaking down pallets, bagging items, greeting families, assisting with paperwork, and placing items in vehicles.
Participants sorted and packed donated food items and repackaged bulk products into smaller, distributable sizes at the Mid-South Food Bank Volunteer Hub.
At the Purdue Center of Hope, volunteers taught Bible study, led children’s activities, supported women’s development programs, engaged in clean-up activities, moderate repairs, and administrative tasks such as file shredding.
During the Sound the Alarm Event, in partnership with the American Red Cross, volunteers installed smoke alarms, created escape plans, and shared fire safety information with homeowners near Christ Missionary Baptist Church, whose senior pastor is Lott Carey’s immediate past president, Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart.
Lott Carey also partnered with the Red Cross in its 2024 blood drive, collecting 32 units of blood, potentially saving 92 lives, with 25 whole blood units and seven power red units, achieving 106 percent of the target. The drive highlighted the importance of blood donations for individuals with sickle cell disease, particularly encouraging African American donors to participate.
These mission events made a deep impression and left a lasting impact on the city of Memphis and those who attended or participated.
by Eron Henry | Aug 22, 2024 | News
Lott Carey extends heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart, Christ Missionary Baptist Church, and the city of Memphis for the warm welcome and hospitality during the 127th Lott Carey Annual Session held from August 12-15 at the Renasant Convention Center.
Christ Missionary Baptist Church, the host church whose pastor is Dr. Stewart, provided much love and assistance, including scores of volunteers who served as ushers, greeters, registrants, etc., as well as providing transportation services.
The city of Memphis enabled the more than 900 participants from across the United States and overseas to worship, fellowship, learn, and network in a comfortable setting and ambiance.
Dr. Stewart, who was coming to the end of her three-year term as Lott Carey president, was the consummate host. She pulled out all the stops and for this Lott Carey is deeply grateful. Her commitment and dedication to Lott Carey is unquestioned and we are delighted that her goal of millions for missions was realized. In response, many churches gave generous donations in addition to substantial gifts from Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, and Compassion International.
We note that through her initiative, Dr. Stewart raised $50,000 from pastors and churches in the city of Memphis alone. These funds will go directly to Lott Carey global partners to meet specific needs in Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, and South Africa.
“The event was a resounding success, marked by inspirational worship, rich fellowship, wonderful learning experiences, significant contributions and impactful initiatives,” said Executive Secretary-Treasurer Rev. Emmett Dunn. “Lott Carey is deeply grateful to Dr. Stewart, Christ Missionary Baptist Church, and the city of Memphis for their unwavering support and hospitality during the Annual Session. Their welcome, hospitality and contributions have significantly advanced Lott Carey’s mission and impact globally.”
by Eron Henry | Aug 20, 2024 | News
During the 127th Lott Carey Annual Session held in Memphis, TN, from August 12-15, Compassion International made a significant contribution of $300,000 toward the construction of the David and Pamela Goatley High School in a village near Bopolu, Liberia. This generous donation marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to enhance educational opportunities in this region of the West African country.
Lott Carey has a longstanding commitment to education in Liberia, dating back to 1903. The organization operates in two key communities: Brewerville, located approximately six miles from Monrovia, and an outlying village of Bopolu, three hours’ drive from the national capital. The Brewerville campus serves 330 students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, while the Bopolu campus currently caters to about 225 students from kindergarten to ninth grade.
Bopolu, the capital city of Gbarpolu County, is situated 100 kilometers north of Monrovia and has a population of 95,000. The local community where the school is located primarily consists of subsistence farmers and traders, with Islam being the predominant religion. The Lott Carey Mission Bopolu campus serves students from a five-mile radius, but the nearest high school is 15 miles away, making it inaccessible and unaffordable for many students.
As a result, students who complete the ninth grade have limited opportunities to continue their education. The establishment of a high school in Bopolu will provide these students with the chance to complete their secondary education, significantly improving their prospects and those of their community. The new high school will offer both vocational and academic programs, preparing students to become productive members of society.
The original vision of the Lott Carey founders was to provide quality education to the children and residents of Liberia in a wholesome Christian environment. This vision remains strong today, as the combination of quality education and Christian values has proven to be an effective way to nurture young people into becoming productive citizens.
Parents and elders of Bopolu have long desired the elevation of the school to a high school level. The school is already rated as one of the best in Gbarpolu County, and the addition of a high school will further enhance its reputation and impact.
The $300,000 from Compassion International is the second major donation that Lott Carey received during the Annual Session. The Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA, had earlier presented a $1 million check to support the Ghana Baptist Freedom Initiative to rescue and rehabilitate young girls from the Trokosi system, a traditional practice where girls are enslaved to atone for the sins of their relatives. Among other things, the Alfred Street gift will support the operation of eight existing schools and build additional schools in areas where the Trokosi system is practiced.
by Eron Henry | Aug 16, 2024 | News
Rev. Dr. Jesse T. Williams, Senior Pastor of Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem, New York, has been installed as the new president of Lott Carey during the 127th Lott Carey Annual Session held August 12-15 in Memphis, TN.
He succeeds Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart, after serving as first vice president for three years and, before then, as second vice president, also for three years.
Dr. Williams’ involvement with Lott Carey began through his pastoral role at Convent Avenue Baptist Church, which has a long-standing association with the organization. He recalls, “We have an annual Lott Carey Day where the executive secretary-treasurer comes to preach for us every year, a tradition dating back decades.”
He is the fourth pastor of the church and the second to serve as Lott Carey President. Rev. Dr. Mannie L. Wilson, pastor of the church from 1961 until his passing in 1982, previously served as president of Lott Carey.
This engagement led Dr. Williams to attend Lott Carey annual sessions and eventually join the board, progressing through leadership roles to his current position as president.
Born in Akron, OH, Dr. Williams pursued his education in Kansas and began his ministry in Saint Louis, MO, where he was ordained and served his first congregation, Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, for 16 years. He holds a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Eden Theological Seminary. His passion for ministry and mission was significantly influenced by Dr. Ronald Bobo, his ordaining pastor, who instilled in him a strong commitment to foreign missions.
Dr. Williams emphasizes the transformative power of mission work, aligning with Lott Carey’s motto of touching lives with the transforming love of Jesus Christ. He aims to highlight how mission transforms people, communities, and nations. “My tenure will emphasize transformation that happens through mission,” he states.
Balancing his pastoral duties with his new role, Dr. Williams acknowledges the challenges but also sees it as a blessing. He believes in empowering his congregation to carry on ministry work, ensuring that the church’s mission continues even when he is engaged with Lott Carey responsibilities.
Dr. Williams plans to prioritize recruitment of new churches and pastors, individual giving, and expanding Lott Carey’s presence in the South, Midwest, and West in the United States. He is committed to maintaining the organization’s integrity and transparency, ensuring that donations are effectively utilized for mission work.
He hopes to leave a legacy of transformative ministry, benevolent giving, and advocacy for justice. He expresses his gratitude to the Lott Carey family for entrusting him with this responsibility and pledges to serve faithfully, praying for continued support and collaboration.
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