by LottCarey | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog, News, News
October 28, 2022
Dr. Henry Mugabe, founding president and professor of the Zimbabwe Theological Seminary (ZTS), and his son, Munyaradzi Johannes Mugabe, are to be buried on Saturday, October 29.
Services are planned for the Mtapa Baptist Church in the city of Gweru in central Zimbabwe. The burial will be in their hometown of Masvingo.
Dr. Mugabe and his son were killed in a traffic accident on October 21, along with Dr. Dudzirai Chimeri, who succeeded Dr. Mugabe as ZTS president.
Lott Carey has been a partner of ZTS since its founding in 2011 and is offering support to the families.
Condolences are being received from the global Lott Carey community. These are to be shared with the Mugabe and Chimeri families, and the seminary community.
Expressions may be sent to lottcarey@lottcarey.org.
by LottCarey | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog, News, News
October 24, 2022
Lott Carey mourns the tragic passing of Dr. Henry Mugabe, professor and former president of the Zimbabwe Theological Seminary (ZTS), his son, Munyaradzi Johannes Mugabe, and Dr. Dudzirai Chimeri, ZTS president.
The three died in a motor vehicle accident in Zimbabwe on October 21.
“The Lott Carey family has suffered a tremendous loss in the passing of Dr. Henry Mugabe,” said Lott Carey Executive Secretary-Treasurer Rev. Emmett Dunn. “He was a faithful co-laborer in Lott Carey’s groundbreaking missional engagement in Zimbabwe.”
ZTS, a Lott Carey partner, was launched in 2011 with Dr. Mugabe providing much of the outreach effort to get the fledgling institution off the ground. He toured the United States seeking funding and partnerships for the school.
Lott Carey became a significant partner for ZTS. Dr. Mugabe was an important link between the global mission agency and the school.
The seminary described itself as having a “distinctively Baptist heritage with an ecumenical commitment, a global perspective, and participation in the worldwide Christian mission.”
Lott Carey President Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart remembers Dr. Mugabe “as a gentle giant. A man of tremendous intellect, a faithful and committed partner of Lott Carey, an outstanding theologian, and a true ambassador of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Rev. Dunn declared Dr. Mugabe was “an innovative leader who combined the practical and spiritual in crafting the churches response to the ills of society, a provocative theologian who believed that the Word of God must be interpreted using the lenses of marginalized Africans, and a firm believer in the fight for justice in defending the rights of the indigenous church against foreign intervention. He enters heaven bearing the scars as evidence of his fight for justice.”
“I take pride in knowing that Lott Carey was very instrumental in his ministry from its infancy,” Dr. Stewart stated. “When the history of Lott Carey is written, the name of Henry Mugabe will be counted among those who touch lives with transforming love.”
Rev. Dunn mourned that “The church in Africa has lost one of God’s faithful servants.”
Dr. Mugabe is survived by his widow, Hermina, and children Grace and Tinashse.
“We pray for the Mugabe and Chimeri families who suffered such heartbreaking loss. Let us remember the seminary community, the church, and the people of Zimbabwe,” Rev. Dunn urged the Lott Carey global family.
by LottCarey | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog, News, News
October 13, 2022
Lott Carey is appealing to its partners and affiliates to make generous donations for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico and Florida.
Hurricane Fiona devastated Puerto Rico in mid-September. With winds of more than 110 miles per hour, Fiona affected parts of the Caribbean and Eastern Canada, with Puerto Rico bearing the brunt.
Other islands and areas experiencing damage and loss included the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Turks and Caicos, and Bermuda.
At least 25 Puerto Ricans died from the effects of Fiona, a category 4 hurricane. It caused island wide power outages, with initial estimates of $2 billion devastation to the electrical grid. More than one million Puerto Ricans, one third of the population, were left without potable (drinking) water.
Hurricane Fiona is only the most recent disaster affecting Puerto Rico. It is yet to fully recover from Hurricane Maria that landed on the United States Territory from September 17-19, 2017. Maria resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and destroyed the entire electrical grid.
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic led to further disruptions.
Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction in Florida in late September. Also a category 4 cyclone, it was the deadliest hurricane to hit Florida since 1935.
It affected other American states such as North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as Cuba and the Cayman Islands. Hurricane Ian resulted in at least 137 fatalities, 126 in Florida. Damage is estimated at $50 billion.
Immediate needs include water filters, solar lanterns, and hygiene kits.
“I appeal to our churches, brothers and sisters in the Lott Carey family to remember Puerto Ricans and Floridians who suffer because of these recent disasters,” 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,” he stated.
“The longsuffering people of Puerto Rico need our help,” Rev. Dunn said. “Let us reach out and help them and those who are still in need in Florida, even as we lift them up in prayer.”
To donate, click the link below.
by LottCarey | 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 LottCarey | 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.”
To donate, click the link below.
by LottCarey | 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.
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