by Eron Henry | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog, News, News
September 13, 2022
Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley, immediate past executive secretary-treasurer (EST) of Lott Carey, has been appointed the 6th president of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, in the United States.
He is the first African American and the first person of color to hold the position of president at the institution.
Dr. Goatley, who led Lott Carey for 20 years, assumes this post after distinguished service at Duke Divinity School as the Associate Dean for Academic and Vocational Formation, the Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Jr. Research Professor of Theology and Christian Ministry, and the Director of Office of Black Church Studies.
“We are delighted that one of our own, Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley, has been selected to lead one of the leading Christian seminaries on the American west coast, and indeed, the country,” said Rev. Emmett Dunn, who succeeded Dr. Goatley as the EST for Lott Carey.
“We congratulate Dr. Goatley on his appointment and assure him of our continued prayer and support.”
A noted missiologist, Dr. Goatley is also known for his work on Christian leadership and theology. He has had long experience as an academic theologian and engagements in justice advocacy, Christian mission, and global ecumenism.
Founded 75 years ago in 1947, Fuller Theological Seminary comprises approximately 4,000 students from 90 countries representing 110 Christian traditions. It is organized into schools of theology, psychology, and intercultural studies and offers a range of advanced masters and doctoral degrees.
In August this year, the Lott Carey board of directors approved a scholarship for students at Lott Carey mission schools in the names of Dr. and Mrs. Goatley. The board granted an initial sum of $5,000 to its launch. Other solicitations will be received to boost the fund.
“Dr. Goatley has been a great servant of the church. His commitment to global Christian mission through education, training, capacity building, healthcare, disaster relief and church planting, are well known,” said Rev. Dunn. “He successfully and expertly shepherded Lott Carey into its global outreach for two decades. We expect him to do the same in his tenure at Fuller.”
A graduate of the University of Louisville in Kentucky, Dr. Goatley holds an MDiv with an emphasis in pastoral care and counseling and a PhD in theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He will be inaugurated as the president of Fuller in January 2023.
by Eron Henry | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog, News, News
September 2, 2022
Lott Carey has committed to support those affected by the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, in the United States.
In August, Jackson lost access to water when its largest water treatment plant failed, leaving tap water untreated, affecting about 150,000 residents.
Jackson, the state capital, is more than 80 percent African American with a high poverty rate.
“Lott Carey, in collaboration with National Baptist Convention of America, is responding to the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi,” said Executive Secretary-Treasurer Rev. Emmett Dunn.
“The situation is dire and requires urgent response. We are calling on all churches and our partners to meet this immediate need.”
Jackson has suffered longstanding water and other emergencies. According to the Washington Post, Jackson’s water problems have disproportionately affected the city’s low-income, Black communities.
“At the root of this crisis is systemic racism, and the local and state governments’ intentional negligence to redirect infrastructure funds that could have helped solve this issue years ago,” said LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright, co-founders of the local advocacy group Black Voters Matter. “This crisis is not an isolated event.”
The mayor declared a local emergency on August 24, shutting down all businesses and schools. The governor announced a state of emergency on August 29 and deployed 600 National Guards on August 31 to distribute bottled water and hand sanitizer.
“In 2014, we responded urgently and generously when the water in the city of Flint was affected by lead and other contaminants,” said Rev. Dunn. “We are calling for the same response to a similar crisis now in Jackson.”
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by Eron Henry | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog, News, News
August 30, 2022
A mission budget of $1.8 million was approved by the board during Lott Carey’s 125th Annual Session in New Orleans, Louisiana, from August 15-18.
The budget will support various projects in 11 countries. These include education of more than 12,000 students in India, Liberia, Nigeria, and Guyana; free medical care for leprosy patients in India; and HIV/AIDS education, prevention, care, and support in Ethiopia.
The board approved an individual membership drive to be launched in 2023. Among other things, it will build a strong network around Lott Carey programs and causes and provide fundraising support.
Individual members will be encouraged to engage in advocacy and perform ambassadorial roles on the behalf of Lott Carey in their local churches, organizations, and communities.
A scholarship for students at Lott Carey mission schools in the names of Dr. and Mrs. David Emmanuel Goatley was approved by the board, which granted an initial sum of $5,000 to its launch. Dr. Goatley served 20 years as executive secretary-treasurer for Lott Carey. Other solicitations will be received to boost the fund.
The Thriving Congregations initiative was officially launched at the Annual Session. Focus will be on churches’ response to changing social and cultural contexts, clarifying values, and on mission. It seeks to cultivate Christian practices that strengthen the vitality, faithfulness, and effectiveness of local churches.
The initiative will facilitate four cohorts consisting of eight to 12 congregational teams comprising pastors and lay leaders. Between 50 and 60 congregations are expected to benefit from the program, funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment.
The $1 million development fund launched by Lott Carey President Dr. Gina M. Stewart at the Spring Missions Conference in Atlanta in March, got a major boost during the Annual Session. Several donations were pledged or received, including $25,000 from the Conference of National Black Churches.
Dr. Stewart is encouraging churches to invest in increasing capacity and building the infrastructure of Lott Carey to enable its partners to effectively meet the needs of the people they serve.
The Annual Session was held August 15-18 and incorporated Bible Study, worship, mission education classes, mission service opportunities, and presentations on issues of concern such as human trafficking, voting rights and social justice. There were special events for children and youth, among other activities and programs.
by Eron Henry | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog, News, News
August 24, 2022
Lott Carey’s involvement in Nigeria began in the early 1960s when it reopened a school that was closed due to a lack of resources. Located in the southern part of the country, the school served 22 villages that had no other institutions of learning.
This brief history was shared at Lott Carey’s 125th Annual Session in New Orleans by Rev. Kenneth Ebong, superintendent of Lott Carey Baptist Mission, Nigeria. He told the hundreds gathered in-person and virtually that “I am a product of that school.”
Since that first intervention, Lott Carey now operates six schools in the West African country, many located in areas with few options for school-aged children.
“We are very happy and very proud,” Rev. Ebong said. The schools have had such impact that several past students have returned to serve these institutions, including the principal of the Ikot Ebom Nursery Schoiol.
Lott Carey’s Nigerian mission provides incentives to families. Those with three children pay for only two to attend, from kindergarten through to grade 12.
Rev. Ebong commended the global Lott Carey family for its support. In addition to education, Lott Carey helps to support the ministry of 80 congregations. Among other things pastors, many riding bicycles over long distances, received motorcycles to improve their travel and mobility.
Women In Service Everywhere, Lott Carey’s women’s ministry group, provided a revolving loan that enabled women to gain greater levels of independence and autonomy. “Once you emancipate the women, you emancipate the whole family,” Rev. Ebong told the gathering in New Orleans.
Men on Missions, the men’s ministry arm of Lott Carey, provided funds to dig and commission a well in one of the communities.
Lott Carey assistance was crucial during the Covid-19 pandemic, enabling children to continue their education and for communities to meet their basic needs. “God made a way,” the Baptist leader declared.
The Annual Session was held August 15-18 and incorporated Bible Study, worship, mission education classes, mission service opportunities, and presentations on issues of concern such as human trafficking, voting rights and social justice. There were special events for children and youth, among other activities and programs.
by Eron Henry | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog, News, News
August 19, 2022
“I am evidence of the great work of Lott Carey,” said Rev. Thembalani Jentile, general secretary of the Baptist Convention of South Arica.
Rev. Jentile was trained and prepared for the ordained ministry at the convention’s seminary. Lott Carey was instrumental in the establishment and maintenance of the institution, an important development in post-apartheid South Africa.
Previously, the convention was affiliated with the white-dominated and -controlled Baptist Union of Southern Africa. After the Baptist Convention of South Arica was established in 1994, Lott Carey became a supporting partner in 1997.
“The first people to come along was Lott Carey,” Rev. Jentile told the 125th Annual Session of Lott Carey in New Orleans, held August 15-18. That help included putting in place the structure and infrastructure of the convention, such as the theological college.
“Lott Carey is the backbone of the convention,” he told the hundreds gathered in-person and virtually in New Orleans.
In addition to the college, Lott Carey helped to establish the convention office. “The convention has a home because of that,” the Baptist leader said.
Other partnership initiatives include assistance in HIV/AIDS education and support.
“When others stopped giving during Covid-19, Lott Carey gave monthly,” Rev. Jentile said. Through the worst of the pandemic, Lott Carey paid staff, pastors, and assistance to others.
The personal touch of Lott Carey representatives was special. Rev. Jentile said few missionaries stayed in local homes of Baptists whenever they visited his country, some of which were in humble settings. Not so those visiting from Lott Carey. He recalled how participants in the Pastoral Excellence Program stayed in homes and ate the local food.
The Annual Session incorporated Bible Study, worship, mission education classes, mission service opportunities, and presentations on issues of concern such as human trafficking, voting rights and social justice. There were special events for children and youth, among other activities and programs.
by Eron Henry | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog, News, News
August 18, 2022
Lott Carey international programs continue apace despite the adverse impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic that caused widespread disruptions and dislocations.
Executive Secretary-Treasurer Rev. Emmett Dunn reported to the 125th Annual Session in New Orleans that projects, programs and emergency relief were carried out in roughly one dozen countries.
This includes disaster relief assistance in Haiti, South Africa, Ukraine, and the United States; support to more than 12,000 students in India, Liberia, Nigeria, and Guyana; free medical care for leprosy patients in India; and HIV/AIDS education, prevention, care, and support in Ethiopia.
More than $1.1 million were given in mission support and approximately 60,000 meals were packaged through the Kids Against Hunger initiative.
Rev. Dunn hopes the ministry and mission of Lott Carey will “inspire you to remain engaged as together we embrace all that God is calling us to be and do.”
The 125th Annual Session comes at a difficult time for the global mission agency. “The last two-plus years have been challenging for us here in the United States and worldwide,” Rev. Dunn told the roughly 700 face-to-face and virtual participants.
“Notwithstanding, we took the initiative to maintain our commitments to all our partners, including responding to needs brought on by Covid-19.”
There was indeed much to celebrate. The 125th Annual Session is the first to be presided over by the first female president, Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart, and it is the first hybrid Annual Session ever held.
It also happens when the organization marks the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Rev. Lott Carey on the African continent. A pilgrimage to West Africa is planned later in the year to celebrate and commemorate the milestone.
The Annual Session incorporates Bible Study, worship, mission education classes, mission service opportunities, and presentations on issues of concern such as human trafficking, voting rights and social justice. There are special events for children and youth, among other activities and programs.
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