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.
by Eron Henry | Aug 1, 2024 | News, News
The Lott Carey 127th Annual Session is set to unfold in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, from August 12-15.
Prepare for a transformative experience as we host a lineup of distinguished preachers ready to proclaim the word of God under the anointing and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Morning session preachers are Dr. William F. Wright, Senior Pastor of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC, whose traditional sermons and evangelistic fervor have earned him regional acclaim; Dr. Marcus Cosby, Senior Pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, TX, a visionary leader who has expanded his church’s influence locally and beyond; and Rev. Brittany D. Mingo, IYD Team Leader at Lott Carey and Associate Pastor, Elevation Community, at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, in Philadelphia, PA. Completing the morning lineup is Dr. Keith Norman, Senior Servant Leader of First Baptist Church-Broad, in Memphis who is committed to nurturing a predominantly African American community undergoing significant change.
Evening sessions will feature Dr. Cynthia Hale, founding Senior Pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church, and founder of ELAH Pastoral Ministries, in Decatur, GA, who brings 45 years of ministry experience; and Dr. Howard-John Wesley, under whose leadership the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA, grew from 2,500 to more than 12,000 members.
Dr. Gina M. Stewart, Senior Pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis will close out her three-year incumbency as Lott Carey president, bringing the 2024 Annual Session to a close
Don’t miss this opportunity to enrich your soul and strengthen your faith. We eagerly anticipate your presence in Memphis for an event that’s sure to be memorable!
by Eron Henry | Jul 18, 2024 | News
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The 127th Lott Carey Annual Session is calling all mission-minded individuals to Memphis, TN, from August 12-15! It promises a journey of inspiration, engagement, and the chance to make a real difference.
Those arriving early may attend worship on August 11 at the Christ Missionary Baptist Church, where our esteemed president, Dr. Gina M. Stewart, is Senior Pastor, followed by an orientation for Mission Blitz participants.
The official sessions open with a Missions Prayer Breakfast, leading into the opening ceremony featuring Dr. William F. Wright, Senior Pastor of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Throughout the week, attendees can participate in a variety of activities designed to deepen their faith and commitment to service.
These include a First-time Attendee Orientation, informative Mission Education Classes, and an uplifting Worship Arts Concert featuring Maurette Brown Clark. Inspiring General Sessions will feature prominent speakers like Dr. Marcus Cosby, Senior Pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Rev. Brittany D. Mingo, IYD Team Leader, Dr. Howard-John Wesley, Senior Pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church, Dr. Keith Norman, Senior Servant Leader of First Baptist Church-Broad, and Dr. Cynthia Hale, Founder and Senior Pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church.
Special evening events will add to the spirit of community, with an “Evening of Soul” featuring The Tribe with KJ Willis, an “Evening of Laughter” with Comedian Marcus Wiley, and an Evening Worship-President’s Night featuring Dr. Stewart, president.
Additionally, persons may participate in the Benefit Golf Tournament on August 16 to support the High School in Bopulu, Liberia.
The Lott Carey Annual Session offers more than just activities; it’s an opportunity to be transformed. Attendees can deepen their faith through worship services and inspirational speakers, gain valuable knowledge through mission education classes, connect with like-minded individuals who share their passion for service, and contribute to meaningful causes through mission opportunities.
Online registration closes July 26, 2024.
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by Eron Henry | Jun 3, 2024 | News
It is with regret that we announce the cancellation of the Lott Carey Annual Youth Seminar for the year 2024 due to insufficient registration numbers. Despite our best efforts and enthusiasm for this event, the response fell short of the required threshold to make it a successful and enriching experience for all participants.
The Lott Carey Annual Youth Seminar has always been a beacon of knowledge, empowerment, and community for young minds across the Lott Carey network. We deeply appreciate the ongoing support and interest shown by our participants, sponsors, and partners. especially our IYD Team.
While we are disappointed by this turn of events, we remain committed to our mission of nurturing and inspiring the next generation of leaders. Therefore, we are excited to announce that the Lott Carey Annual Youth Seminar will return in full force in 2025.
We encourage all interested individuals to mark their calendars for the eagerly anticipated 2025 Lott Carey Annual Youth Seminar, scheduled to take place in June 2025.
In anticipation of this future gathering, we will be redoubling our efforts to ensure a robust and engaging program that exceeds expectations. Stay tuned for updates on speakers, workshops, and registration details as we prepare to make the 2025 Seminar an unforgettable experience for all participants.
For further inquiries or information, please contact the Lott Carey office at lottcarey@lottcarey.org.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we navigate these circumstances together. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2025 Lott Carey Annual Youth Seminar.
by Eron Henry | Apr 30, 2024 | News
Lott Carey is pleased to announce the continuation of its mission to empower congregations through the Thriving Congregations Initiative. With a focus on nurturing the capacities of congregations for impactful and faithful witness, this initiative supports faith communities striving to enhance their spiritual vitality.
Thanks to generous funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., the Thriving Congregations Initiative is set to support selected congregations across the United States. This program offers technical assistance, training, and mentoring to help congregations discern their unique context, clarify their purpose, and boost their overall vitality.
While the initiative will work intimately with approximately 60 congregations, the insights and learnings gleaned from this experience will be documented and shared. This dissemination of knowledge aims to inspire and inform the work of thousands of churches and partners within the Lott Carey network.
The upcoming cohort, focusing on the Northeast Region, is scheduled to undergo an 18-month training program starting in the fall of 2024. This comprehensive training will blend in-person sessions with virtual learning, ensuring a robust and flexible educational experience.
Who Should Join?
The Thriving Congregations cohort is ideal for congregations that:
- Seek to deepen their understanding of their community context, identify their strengths, and rejuvenate their ministry.
- Are committed to engaging their pastoral leaders and laypersons in a series of six quarterly in-person training sessions and monthly virtual gatherings.
- Serve primarily within the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania.
Lott Carey pledges to cover all costs related to instructional materials, including books, access to thought leaders, mentors, and meals during in-person sessions. Participating congregations will be responsible for their lodging and transportation expenses.
We invite you to seize this opportunity to enrich your congregation’s journey. For those interested in learning more about the Thriving Congregations Initiative, please reach out to us at thriving@lottcarey.org.
Thank you for considering this transformative experience.
Key Dates for the Northeast Region Cohort:
- September 13-14, 2024
- November 8-9, 2024
- March 14-15, 2025
- May 2-3, 2025
- September 19-20, 2025
- October 17-18, 2025
For more information or to join the cohort, contact Lott Carey at:
- Phone: 301.429.3300
- Email: thriving@lottcarey.org
- Website: www.lottcarey.org
Lott Carey is dedicated to fostering thriving congregations that can recognize and adapt to the evolving social and cultural landscapes. Through this initiative, we aim to equip church leaders with the tools necessary to clarify their mission and cultivate practices that enhance their community’s faithfulness and effectiveness. Join us as we embark on this journey of growth and transformation.
by Eron Henry | Apr 26, 2024 | News
During morning devotions at the Lott Carey annual Spring Missions Conference, Minister Brenda Troy of the New Salem Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, called for Christians to embody the essence of being the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.”
Minister Troy emphasized the profound metaphors used by Jesus Christ, urging believers to not only embrace their faith internally but to also express it externally through impactful actions. She highlighted that Christians are entrusted with a dual role – they are recipients of divine light, grace, and mercy, and simultaneously, they are distributors of this celestial illumination.
The world, as Minister Troy noted, is in a state of moral and spiritual decay. It is the responsibility of Christians to act as preservatives, much like salt, slowing down this degradation by actively spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. The metaphor of light further extends this duty, encouraging believers to shine forth in the darkness, guiding others toward the path of righteousness.
Drawing from her personal journey, Minister Troy shared how she has answered the call to be a beacon in her community. Her endeavors in aiding the needy and introducing them to the teachings of Jesus are a testament to her commitment to living her faith out loud, a demonstration of faith in motion.
She reminded conference participants that Christianity is not a passive belief system to be taken for granted. It is a dynamic and living faith that calls for active participation.
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