Urgent Appeal for Hurricane Relief Donations

by Eron Henry | Oct 18, 2024 | News

In the wake of the devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Lott Carey is urgently appealing for donations to support disaster relief efforts. These powerful storms have left a trail of destruction across the southeastern United States, affecting countless lives and communities.

Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, 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 from Florida to North Carolina. Tampa Bay experienced a massive storm surge, while Atlanta recorded more than 11 inches of rain, the highest in its history. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left more than 300 people dead and countless others displaced. Entire communities are cut off by floods, and critical infrastructure, including hospitals and dams, are severely damaged.

Hurricane Milton followed closely, exacerbating the already dire situation. Formed in the western Caribbean Sea, Milton intensified rapidly, becoming a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 180 mph before making landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, on October 9. This storm is noted as the second-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded over the Gulf of Mexico. Milton’s impact was severe, causing loss of life, widespread flooding, a deadly tornado outbreak, and significant damage to infrastructure.

The combined impact of these hurricanes has overwhelmed local resources and left many in urgent need of assistance. Immediate needs include water filters, solar lanterns, hygiene kits, and shelter.

Rev. Emmett Dunn, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of Lott Carey, emphasizes the critical need for support: “I appeal to our churches, brothers, and sisters in the Lott Carey family to remember those who suffer because of these recent disasters. We ask that you be generous with your donations and gifts as we seek to meet these urgent needs.”

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 Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Your donations will directly aid in providing essential supplies and support to those in need.

You can help by donating online through Lott Carey’s secure donation page at lottcarey.org/donate, or by sending a check to Lott Carey, 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 1245, Landover, MD 20785.

Additionally, your prayers are a source of strength and hope for those affected. Pray for the families who have lost loved ones, those who have been displaced, and the first responders working tirelessly to provide aid and support.

Together, we can make a difference. Your generosity and compassion can help rebuild lives and restore hope in the aftermath of these devastating hurricanes. Thank you for your support.

For additional information, please email us at lottcarey@lottcarey.org.

Lott Carey Appeals for Hurricane Helene Relief Donations

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.

Lott Carey Receives Donation to Build School in Liberia

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.

The Power of Voice

by Eron Henry | Aug 13, 2024 | News

At the official opening of the 127th Lott Carey Annual Session in Memphis, Tennessee, Rev. William F. Wright, Jr., Senior Pastor of the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, reminded the gathering that there are times “When Silence is Not Golden.”

Rev. Wright argued that there are times when silence is a betrayal, emphasizing that in the face of racism, human rights violations, and community violence, our voices are demanded. He drew parallels between the challenges faced by marginalized communities today and the story of four lepers on the outskirts of Jerusalem as depicted in 2 Kings 7. These men, ostracized and facing a life-threatening crisis, had to make a difficult decision. They chose action over inaction, a choice that strikes a chord with those who feel silenced, marginalized, or hopeless today.

He told the more than 900 persons present that even when we are trying to figure things out, God is already working it out. He encouraged them to step out in faith, assuring them that good things often happen while we are on our way.

The transformation of the lepers was one of hope and redemption. Upon entering the Syrian camp, the lepers found that God had already prepared for their arrival. However, as they began to enjoy their newfound wealth, they realized they could not remain silent about their blessings. They felt compelled to share the good news, a reminder for us to use our blessings to bless others.

Rev. Wright urged the Lott Carey Annual Session attendees to remember where God has brought them from and to use their blessings to bless others. He reminded them that life cannot just be about oneself and that we must consider the needs of others. He encouraged them to embrace a greater call and to allow their transformation to take place.

At a Lott Carey Mission Prayer Breakfast held earlier in the day on August 12, Dr. Cynthia Turner Wood, Senior Pastor of Dayspring Community Church in Maryland, spoke of the divine grace that guides our lives and the importance of acknowledging God’s role in our achievements.

“Let us remember that it is not by our own hand that we are saved, but by the grace of God.” She emphasized that we should not take any glory for ourselves, and introduced the concept of the “God factor,” a term she uses to describe the divine influence that transcends our human limitations. This factor commands us to look at the world through God’s eyes, to envision what can be rather than focusing on the tangible limitations of our lives. She reminded us that we serve a God whose power is limitless and whose presence is assured in our lives.

Dr. Wood highlighted the creativity of God, who designed both the majestic peacock and the humble pigeon. She pointed out that God blessed us with two eyes and two ears, but only one mouth, so that we can see and hear twice as much as what we say. This, she suggested, is a reminder to listen and observe more than we speak.

She drew upon the biblical story of Gideon. When God called Gideon into battle, Gideon organized an impressive army of 32,000 men. But God told Gideon, “You have too many people with you to defeat the Midianites.” This is a reminder that success does not always look like we expect it to. It is a call to let go of our preconceived notions of victory and to trust in God’s plan.

Dr. Wood’s message was particularly poignant for pastors of small churches. She acknowledged the aspirations many have to grow their congregations but reminded them that size does not determine impact.

The Lott Carey Annual Session is held August 12-15 at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis.