Annual Report of the Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley

Transcription

1 Building A Better World Through Christian Missions! Annual Report of the Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley International Office 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 1245 Landover, Maryland, USA Phone: Fax: LottCarey@lottcarey.org Web:

2 Annual Report of the Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention International Office 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 1245 Landover, Maryland, USA Phone: Fax: Web: Facebook: Lott Carey YouTube: LottCareyTV 118 th Annual Session Convening in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA Host Pastor: Pastor Gregory T. Headen Genesis Baptist Church Greensboro, North Carolina

3 Rev. Lott Carey II

4 CONTENTS ANNUAL REPORT Convention Officers and Staff... 2 Executive Secretary-Treasurer... 3 Dr. David Emmanuel L. Goatley Lott Carey Mission Schools, Liberia Rev. Emile D. E. Sam-Peal Lott Carey Baptist Mission, New Delhi, India Mr. Thomas T. Roy Lott Carey Baptist Mission, Nigeria Rev. Kenneth C. Ebong Lott Carey Baptist Ministries of Kenya and Sudan Rev. Hezron K. Cheruiyot Trinity Evangelical Ministries Rev. Karl B. Johnson Zimbabwe Theological Seminary Dr. Henry Mugabe Haiti Disaster Response Ms. Kathi L. Reed Leading Contributors to Christian Missions Roll Call of Contributors to Christian Missions General Baptist State Convention Contributors to Christian Missions

5 CONVENTION OFFICERS Dr. Gregory K. Moss, Sr. President Dr. John M. Alexander, Jr. Chairman, Board of Directors Mrs. Debra G. Garner Women In Service Everywhere President Mr. Laurence F. Campbell Men On Mission Team Leader Min. TaNikka M. Sheppard International Youth Development Team Leader UNITED STATES STAFF Mrs. Tonga R. Peterson Operations Manager Rev. Dawn M. Sanders Director, Missional Programs Ms. Kathi L. Reid Project Manager, Disaster Services Network Mrs. Barbara T. Crump Program Coordinator 2 Dr. Evans L. Spagner Program Coordinator

6 Annual Report of the Executive Secretary-Treasurer Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention Rev. David Emmanuel Goatley, Ph.D. To the Lott Carey Global Christian Missional Community gathered in Greensboro, North Carolina for the 118 th Annual Session, your sisters and brothers of the Lott Carey network around the world greet you in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Anointed One of God. We rejoice to offer to you this summary of stewardship that provides a glimpse of how, together, we are touching lives with transforming love. We begin this report with praise to God from whom all blessings come. The life, love, and hope we know through our Lord Jesus Christ is stirred by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Through the power of the resurrection, we answer the call of missions. We are thankful for the privilege of partnership as the Lott Carey family works to extend the Christian witness throughout the world. We also petition our missional God for discernment and discipline to do God s will. We continue to trust that, as we are faithful, God will provide. Thank you for your partnership in this ministry. As you view these snapshots of service, we trust that you will be inspired and informed to increase your investments in Christian missions. We invite you to come and see so that you can go and tell the opportunities and impact that await more disciples of Jesus. What We Do Lott Carey is a global Christian missional community that extends the Christian witness throughout the world. Through prayer partnership, financial support, and technical assistance, we come alongside indigenous communities engaged primarily in ministries of evangelism, compassion, empowerment, and advocacy. We continue to implement our strategic direction that calls for the Lott Carey network: 1. To be a multi-cultural, multi-lingual, ecumenical community engaged in the Christian witness around the world. 2. To mobilize churches, families, and individuals for effective global missional engagement globally. 3

7 3. To utilize technology for informing, inspiring, investing, and engaging. 4. To nurture new generations of Christian leaders for the world. 5. To activate churches and individuals for advocacy on behalf of vulnerable and victimized people. 6. To promote economic empowerment for sustainable families and communities. 7. To help vulnerable communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from large scale disasters. 8. To strengthen our institutional capacity to resource our global partner network more effectively. Since the founding of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society in 1897, we have done one thing, helped churches to extend the Christian witness around the world. From our earliest investments in South Africa in 1890s, to our partnerships in Haiti in 1916, to our support in Russia in the 1920s, to our ministry in India in the 1930s, we have been growing in our scope and scale of service. We look forward to beginning the process of dialogue, discernment, and dreaming later in 2015 to prepare for our strategy. We invite you to begin praying for wisdom as we listen and learn from one another to set new priorities for missional engagement and impact. Listening Honestly I recall a conversation with a prominent and generous pastoral leader during my earliest years with Lott Carey. I was convinced (and remain so) that we needed to facilitate more short-term missions assignments to contribute to the discipleship formation of Christians and to nurture more passion for missions. My elder colleague cautioned me against moving in this direction. He was concerned that if people visited our missions partners and saw struggles and weaknesses, the travelers would return with negative reports and damaging stories. Having visitors hear about complaints that international partners might have could create a public relations problem for us. My pastoral friend was seeking to be helpful to his new, young missional leader. And I am grateful for that conversation. It did not, however, change my mind. I remain convinced that well-planned, well-executed, short-term missions assignments are good experiences for people who are trying to follow Jesus. They will see poverty. They will see inefficiencies. They will hear petitions for more support. But that is part of the fabric of working with people in economically challenging parts of the world. It is 4

8 also part of the stuff of being a supporting missional community. Lott Carey does not deploy US citizens to preside over ministries to people in other contexts. We come alongside indigenous communities to offer prayer partnership, financial assistance, and technical support. Many things are not done the way that some of us in the United States would do them. Our call, however, is not to impose our way on others. Our goal is to participate in God s will in the world. This requires the humility to listen and learn at the leadership of other people with other experiences. More times than not, we learn, in the words of the Shona proverb, the people in the village know the answers to their problems. A challenge we face is whether we can commit to coming alongside to help. I once heard a national US leader say in a global gathering of Christian leaders that his group was not obligated to support programs and organizations that they disagreed with. His point was that if you do not do it our way, we will not participate. What made him think that his interpretations or approaches were the only appropriate ones? He was playing the power politics of money where you intimidate poorer people because you have the good fortune to have more wealth. They did not know how to play well, so they took their ball and went home! That is not the Lott Carey way. We believe that we belong to one another because we belong to God. We are obligated to work together for the reign of God in the world. This can result in complaints and criticisms, but it also can result in stronger covenant communities. I hope you will hear the petitions contained in the following pages. I hope that you will let Jesus lead you. You will observe a recurring theme in contributions contained within this report. Global partner leaders continue to appeal to us for more generous financial support to enable their service. We do not edit these requests to present a sanitized version of this report. We seek to be transparent and want you to listen to the hearts of our sisters and brothers. Perhaps we can hear and respond. The global recession of 2008 hit the world hard. Most African- American churches took a knock-down blow that caused them to reduce missional giving and to redirect missional priorities away from global toward local support. For five years, we borrowed money to cushion the blow to our global partners. Two years ago, however, we had to make reductions that we had postponed through borrowing. This meant that we delayed the sharpest financial impact on our partners for five years. If we operated like some of our sibling organizations, they would have experienced seven years of famine rather than a couple of years of 5

9 austerity. It looks like, through modest recovery of supporting churches and through substantial economizing in the international office (staff reductions, no pay increases, less travel, and relocating our offices outside of Washington, DC), we are beginning to emerge from the financial challenges that hinder our desired levels of investment. We are not out of the woods yet, but there appears to be signs of dawn for a new and brighter day. Living in Hope We rejoice in ongoing opportunities to stretch our wings. Nurturing New Generations of Leaders Lott Carey s International Youth Development Department continues to demonstrate imagination and innovation. In addition to the continuing strength of our Annual Youth Seminar (with more than a 30% increase in the 2015 seminar compared to the 2013 seminar) and the continual refinements of our youth track during the annual sessions, our dynamic International Youth Development Leadership Team launched a Youth Ministry Leaders Retreat in October 2014 that attracted 70 leaders responsible for the discipleship formation ministry of adolescents in our churches. We look forward to our second retreat this October with a larger number of youth ministry leaders engaged. Additionally, we deployed nearly 40 young adults to lead Vacation Bible School in Jamaica in July 2014 and another 26 young adults for VBS in Jamaica in July These young adults are being transformed and being agents of transformation. In July 2015 we deployed our first high school short-term missions team in more than a decade to for worship arts and recreation ministries to Canada. Finally our Hope Missionary Program (ages 6 13) continues to refine models of age-appropriate missions driven discipleship formation for children. We expect to develop tool kits and a network of Hope Missionary Programs in Lott Carey churches during the next few years. Nurturing new generations of leaders for the world is good and faithful ministry. We rejoice in the creativity of our International Youth Development (IYD) Team Leader, Minister TaNikka Sheppard. Minister Sheppard brings focus, energy, and relentless determination to every leadership opportunity she receives. She completes her three years as our Team Leader with distinction. She, like the other team leaders before her, will not move out. She will simply move over to make room for the next IYD Team Leader. The accumulation of wisdom that we continue to build in this network makes our youth development work second to none. 6

10 Disaster Services Network 10 years ago, the Lott Carey network answered the call to engage in disasters services in North America. Responding to disasters in Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mozambique, and Somalia equipped Lott Carey for effective response and recovery services in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast of the United States beginning in Subsequent to our response to Katrina and Rita, we answered the call to respond to Hannah and Ike, tornados and floods in the Southeast of the United States, and Sandy in the Northeast. We have launched our Disaster Services Network and entered a new partnership with the American Red Cross to help vulnerable communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. We rejoice in this new partnership and invite churches and individuals to join this network and minister to marginalized communities across the United States. Having served and learned through Relief Centers, Resurrection Centers, Church Resource Centers, Clergy Coaching for Ministry after Disasters, Workforce Development for Discouraged and Displaced People, and Providing Scholarships for Affected College Students, we seek to build a robust capacity to mobilize churches and individuals in vulnerable communities throughout the United States for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Our vision for this network is to empower communities through churches to be resilient in the face of local, regional, and national disasters. Our mission is to develop disaster preparedness, response, and recovery strategies to mobilize churches to: 1. Educate congregations and communities toward effective disaster preparedness; 2. Encourage congregations to recruit and train volunteers to participate in disaster response; 3. Recruit churches to become certified as shelters in areas that are vulnerable to disasters and with vulnerable populations; 4. Establish Resurrection Centers in the aftermath of disasters to provide spiritual care and case management in communities of color; 5. Facilitate effective church and community philanthropy in response to disasters. 7

11 In Memory We rejoice in the lives, love, and legacies of sisters and brothers who have invested in the work of Christian missions throughout the world in partnership with the Lott Carey family. We are thankful for their witness. Pastor Emeritus James E. Arnette, Rocky Mount, NC Sister M. Gertrude Fauntleroy, Philadelphia, PA Pastor Emeritus G. Daniel Jones, Philadelphia, PA Sister Geraldine Jones, Philadelphia, PA Sister Delores Pope, South Park, PA Deaconess Sheryll Rankin, Philadelphia, PA Pastor Samuel Ray, Baltimore, MD Pastor William B. Stroman, Washington, DC Pastor G. Thomas Turner, Columbus, OH Pastor Emerita Erma Williams, Guyana, Georgetown We ve Moved As part of our effort to reduce administrative and operational expenses, we relocated our international offices outside of Washington, DC into the metropolitan area. We look forward to welcoming you and having you to bless our offices located with convenient proximity to Interstate 95, the New Carrollton Amtrak/Metro station, Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Our address is: Lott Carey 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 1245 Landover, Maryland, USA

12 Gratitude Gratitude is the only appropriate response to the love of God to me. The poverty, injustice, and sin that I see in my ministry as a global missions leader cannot overshadow the blessings I enjoy from the hand of God. The gifts of love, life, and leadership invoke a grateful heart, and my service to the Lott Carey global missional community is an expression of that gratitude. I am thankful for our Lott Carey leaders, our supporting partners, our serving colleagues, our staff, and our volunteers for your prayers and participation in this work. My life is richer because of you. My wife, Pamela, and our son, Atiba Emmanuel, continue to be drawn into my obsession for service. They do so with grace and multiply my impact exponentially. I am one of God s blessed children. Touching Lives with Transforming Love 9

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14 Annual Report Lott Carey Mission School Liberia Rev. Emile D. E. Sam-Peal, Superintendent God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by thy might, Led us into the light, Keep is forever in the path we pray To the Executive Secretary-Treasurer, President, Board of Directors and the entire Lott Carey Global Missional Family gathered at the 118 th Annual Convention Session, greetings to you in the name of our One Lord Jesus Christ, and from your Lott Carey family in Liberia, West Africa. Since 1908, Lott Carey Baptist Mission schools in Brewerville and Bopolu are committed to providing quality education for academic excellence in a disciplined, safe, caring and nurturing environment. Our core work as an educational institution (1 st through 12 th grade) is even more important now, as we march on in advancing the work of the kingdom by touching lives with transforming love through the nurturing and molding of young minds by providing a robust and sustained quality education here in Liberia. Here at Lott Carey our watchword is scholarship at the highest level and a place where we build character needed for a vibrant, productive and wholesome society. The mission of Lott Carey Mission School is to provide high quality education in a nurturing, caring, and learning environment. We value our heritage as a Christian institution of learning. We value our emphasis on academic excellence. We value our commitment of creating and sustaining a learning community, where administrators, teachers, staff and students grow together. Education is a key component for the security and wellbeing of 11

15 a community and a country. Helping to prepare the minds and hearts of new generations of Liberians for leadership and contribution is our goal. Our commitment to education for girls and boys, as well as special literacy programs for adults who have not had the opportunity for quality formal education further extends our reach and influence. We believe in a prosperous future for Liberia. We have been a part of the best of the country in the past, and we intend to be part of realizing that goal for the future. THE PROBLEM We provide education with a Christian emphasis. This is especially important now that we find ourselves in a pluralistic culture. We have a unique opportunity not only to offer quality education, but also to present our faith. We have many persons of other faith persuasions within our context who come to our institution seeking quality education. We have a 45% youthful population as a nation with about 1.5 million school aged children. In the communities where our schools are located, we directly and indirectly touch and impact the lives of about 100,000 persons. The educational system in Liberia has been very badly affected due to the destruction and draining of human and other resources. Even the President of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, admits to the enormous needs within the education sector of Liberia. In a recent speech to the nation, President Sirleaf said: The truth, however, is that we admit the scarcity of resources and the fact that rebuilding the educational system after years of decline cannot simply be a quick-fix. The Liberian leader made it clear that government is determined to address deficiencies in qualified instructors and inadequacies in facilities and instructional materials. According to her, we intend to achieve this through consistency in effort, holding all stakeholders, including parents, students, teachers and administrators, accountable, as well as increase resources and support to the educational sector. Our context of service is rife with economic constraints and hardships. This is especially so coming out of a long drawn civil conflict that destroyed our nation. While grappling with the realities of the civil war and trying to pull ourselves out of this seeming quagmire, we were unexpectedly visited by the Ebola Virus Disease which has affected and impacted us not only in terms of the health toll but also the economic and social fallout. With this backdrop, LCM is proud to serve in this setting where families face daily economic hardships. They strive to keep families 12

16 and homes together while, at the same time, purpose in their minds to provide quality education for their children. Our ministry and service is through education, which we provide for a very minimal fee and in some cases free. We provide the best quality education to all irrespective of gender, creed or economic status in a caring, nurturing and wholesome environment. Through the generosity of our benefactors of the Lott Carey Network, we make a significant investment in the development of much needed human resource that will engage in the building of a wholesome, productive and peaceful society. Through this funding, we are enabled to provide full tuition, financial aid and assistance to many students and families who otherwise would not be able to be in school. By providing quality education, we are preparing and grooming young men and women to be world leaders with a good educational foundation as well as Christian values. IMPACT We have enrolled over 6,000 students within the last 5 years. This year our enrolment stands at 353 (Brewerville) and 151 (Bopolu). Our enrollment dropped significantly this year due to several factors. This drastic drop in enrollment is a direct result of the Ebola Virus Disease that engulfed our country over the last year. Many families lost jobs, thus incomes to support children in school. Also, the EVD forced families to relocate and move around, thus causing some of our students to leave the areas. Also, because we have not been declared Ebola free as a country, certain protocols had to be put in place for schools by the Ministry of Education in partnership with WHO/UNICEF to ensure the safety of our students. One such protocol has to do with the class sizes that minimize bodily contact. Class sizes where reduced between 5 10 students less than the regular and acceptable standard class sizes. We provide a ministry and a service to our community whereas many other institutions operate purely on a business platform to make a profit. The funding our institution receives will enable us to continue to provide this valuable and much needed ministry service for very minuscule fees. During this academic year we are providing 75 students with either partial or full tuition scholarship including books, uniforms and school supplies. We also provided to about 150 elementary school students copybooks, pens/pencils and other supplies. These students and their families beam with gratitude for this gesture offered them. Other students received a work grant to enable them stay in school. 13

17 Even with our challenging financial situation as an institution, we have made it a priority as an administration to provide this much support to families in need. This gives us a sense of fulfillment that we can extend a hand and help lift up fallen humanity in very meaningful and tangible ways. On a personal level, most of our administrators and employees also help students in many and various ways through moral, financial and spiritual help. This institution is an oasis where we strive to create a loving, nurturing, safe and caring community for students and their families. In March of last year (2014) our sub-region was invaded by the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), affecting the countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. This highly infectious and deadly disease engulfed our nation. It crippled our already struggling and fragile economy. It rendered impotent a vulnerable healthcare delivery system that left in its wake over 9,000 infected persons and about 4,500 deaths. There are around 1500 survivors who are now dealing with varied health problems. The impact and scourge of the virus was so deadly that the Government of Liberia was compelled to close all schools down for a period of 6 months to help minimize human contact as we collectively combatted this menace. It was a long and hard struggle, a virus, a health issue that degenerated into an economic, social, political malaise. Entire families were wiped out; many businesses closed thus causing many persons and families to lose jobs and livelihoods. Fear gripped communities by separating families and neighbors. The whole ordeal was a horrible experience. But thank God, with the commitment, tenacity and generosity of spirit, the international community, our ministry/mission partners banded with us to fight on all fronts to bring an end to this scourge. To God be the glory, on May 9, 2015, the WHO (World Health Organization) declared Liberia Ebola free. While we celebrate this milestone, we do so cautiously, being cognizant of the fact that our brothers and sisters in neighboring Sierra Leone and Guinea are still dealing with infections, and our borders are very porous. As an institution, we were in the vanguard promoting community awareness regarding necessary health precautions, teaching students and community dwellers how to be safe by observing all the necessary health protocols put in place to mitigate the situation. Through the Lott Carey Network, we were enabled to provide to 14

18 clinics and hospitals medications and medical supplies (masks, gloves, protective gear, bleach products (bleach, wipes, etc.). We were also able to distribute food items to almost 500 families including orphans whose parents lost their lives to Ebola, as well as to Ebola survivors. As part of our character building program, we encourage students to work through campus based clubs to address and deal with issues they encounter on a daily basis. We have established a boy s club and a girl s club. Another significant part of our program here at Lott Carey, we strive to integrate our learning with service to and within our communities. A few weeks ago, LCM partnered with the Rotary Club of Monrovia, and Right to Play to host a Sports day/outing for the children at the Blind School (57 school aged children) and 25 residents from the Antoinette Tubman Cheshire Home (a home for children and adults with varied degrees of disabilities), many of whom are either wheelchair bound or bed ridden. This was a day of fun, fellowship, play, learning and eating. 11 th and 12 th grade students from LCM participated in this very important program as a service learning program. The students interacted with our very special guests, playing games, singing songs, blowing balloons and burbles, pushing wheelchairs, feeding those who could not feed themselves. Our students learned some very valuable lessons be appreciative of their situation, willing and available to help others, have empathy for and become an advocate for the disabled, handicapped and persons who are physically challenged. During this academic year, one of our major goals is to ensure that we increase our emphasis on development of reading skills of our students. We are in the process of developing an in-service training program with our teachers to get them fully on board. We must teach our children to read, which improves and develops their vocabulary, critical thinking skills, imagination and horizon, diction, just to name a few. We want to provide incentives to our students so that they will be motivated to read. We want to use innovative ways and methods to stimulate their minds and let them become lovers of books and passionate readers and learners. We are hoping to develop reading centers in our classrooms, especially the pre-primary and lower elementary levels. To enable us accomplish our goals for this academic school year, we are in need of one quarter million dollars for a period of 1 fiscal year beginning 1 February The funding will help and enable us ensure that we recruit and 15

19 retain the very best teachers, administrative and support staff who fully ascribe to our core values and commitment to providing the best quality education in Liberia. The funding will also enable us to maintain adequate and functional educational and academic spaces suitable and conducive to learning as per international acceptable standards. The requested funding also provides all of the necessary tools and resources needed that engenders and fosters a good learning environment. The direct beneficiaries are the students and their families who will receive the best quality education at our institution, also the community and nation at large also benefits from having well educated and trained citizenry. This institution is ably managed by the Superintendent/ Principal, along with a great caliber of mature, responsible and passionate administrative team that we work with. With over a century of stellar service to humanity in Liberia, LCM has always prided itself in the quality of its workforce. We have men and women with the requisite qualification, years of experience, passion and dedication to molding the minds and mentoring young people preparing them for life. Cumulatively, the administrative team has over 50 years of work experience. The teaching staff is also of the highest quality, many having earned a college degree, while others are in process to earn their degrees. As is imbedded in our strategic plan, by 2017, all of our teaching and academic staff must hold a minimum of a bachelor s degree in the field of education. Finally, while we request the full amount of funding needed to effectively education the children in our care, we express our gratitude for the long and loyal support of the Lott Carey family across the years. You have never forsaken us, and we are appreciative. We also express special appreciation for a generous grant from the Alfred Street Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia that allowed us to complete four new classrooms and renovate four additional classrooms to make them like new. This is a boost to our students, staff, and school. Our history and heritage speaks to our commitment and fortitude to accomplish our mission year after year with excellent results. The words of our school s theme song epitomize what we stand for and do as an institution. 16

20 Be Strong We re not here to play, To dream, to drift, We have hard work to do, And loads to lift, Shun not the struggle face it, Tis God s gift Be Strong, be strong Be Strong Say not the days are evil Who s to blame? And fold thy hands and acquiesce, Oh Shame! Stand up; speak out and bravely in God s name. Be strong, Be strong! Be Strong It matters not how deep Entrenched the wrong, How hard the battle goes, the day how long Faint not, fight on tomorrow, Comes the song Be Strong, be strong. Touching Lives with Transforming Love 17

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22 Annual Report Lott Carey Baptist Mission, New Delhi, India Thomas T. Roy, Superintendent Sing, O Heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and breakforth into singing, o mountains; for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. Isaiah 49:13 Greetings to my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your material and spiritual support for the past seven decades to our Mission in India. The small sapling which was planted with tearful prayers of our pioneers and the sacrificial offerings of the members of our Convention is well on the way to be a spreading tree, under which thousands of poor and needy of the land find rest and succor. I thank and praise the Lord for guiding us through a turbulent year. Our former President Mr. D K Chetsingh passed away on 31 May 2014 due to cardiac arrest. He was associated with the Lott Carey Baptist Mission for more than a decade and was the President of the Mission from October 2011 to 31 May 2014 following the retirement of Mr. R S Khemchand. Mr. Chetsingh was an able leader and was instrumental in re-organizing the operational procedures of the Mission drawing on his vast experience as a retired senior officer of the Government of India. He attended the Lott Carey Annual Session in New Orleans in the year 2012 along with me. His vast knowledge and experience strengthened the Mission. He leaves behind his wife Mrs. Snehlata Chetsingh, who was the Principal of Somerville School at Daryaganj for nearly 15 years, two children, and grandchildren. May our Lord grant peace and rest to his departed soul. Mrs. Mary George, who was the Vice-President, has 19

23 succeeded him the President of the Lott Carey Baptist Mission in India. She has been associated with the Mission for the past 2 decades. She is a retired senior teacher of Modern School, New Delhi. Introduction Our Mission touches the lives of thousands of people for their betterment whether through Churches, orphanage, medical aid, mobile clinics, HIV/AIDS awareness programs, financial aid, scholarships, free and non-formal education to poor children, and quality schools. This year I would like to introduce you to Mr. Armstrong Pame. He came to the Mission for help to continue his education. We gave timely support for his school and college education. Thanks to the Grace of our Lord and support of the Mission, his future is secure as an upcoming Government Official. This is just one of hundreds of cases where Mission touched the lives of people. I am attaching his testimony. * * * A few coins in hand at the time of need is worth more than a millions stored away in treasury. I am so blessed to have been a scholar of the Lott Carey Baptist Mission Charitable Trust. I come from Manipur, the remotest part of the country. My father was a primary school teacher and the only source of income for my seven siblings and me. They were all in college, and life was very hard. But we never doubted God. Our prayers were answered at the most crucial time. I was supported by Lott Carey Baptist Mission Charitable Trust with Rs in my 2 nd year and Rs in my 3 rd year from 2003 to Today, I am a graduate from the prestigious St. Stephen s College with a distinction in Physics (Hons.) by securing 75%. God did an amazing thing again when I was selected in the Civil Services. Today, I am one of the youngest successful candidates in the entire country to join the Indian Revenue Services (Customs & Excise). To have moved this far in life in such a young age is nothing but the blessings of God. I will forever be thankful to the Lott Carey Baptist Mission Charitable Trust for having supported me when I needed it most. Today, I look forward to living a life to the fullest and true to the calling of God in my life. I will help people who are in need 20

24 and let them realise all that they can be. I look forward to work with the Lott Carey Baptist Mission in overcoming challenges and help our people grow both materially and spiritually. May God continue to shower His blessings on Mr. R.S. Khemchand and Mr. Thomas T. Roy in transforming people s life. Armstrong Pame * * * I mentioned in my previous report about our latest church plant at Gannaur, Bethany Baptist Church. This was our first new church in 40 years. The Lord has been good, and God willing we shall plant our next church by next year. Arrangements are already underway for the purchase of a piece of land in Gharounda for starting a new church. I earnestly solicit your prayers and support for this new venture in our Master s Vineyard. We have honoured the Lord through these many years through preaching, teaching and healing ministries. We offer a brief account of our activities in and around Delhi below: Preaching Ministry At present we have four churches and we are earnestly praying for the planting of another church in a small village called Gharounda. a) The Union Church at 5, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi There are more than 250 members in this church, which was started by late Rev. Dr. A F Nelson in It was a prayer group that began in the late 1940s. Rev Wilson Mark, the current Pastor of the church, is a man of God. His healing ministry prayers on Thursdays are attended by many, including Non-Christians. Many people have accepted Jesus as their Saviour after their serious health problems were healed by the Lord when they attended our special healing ministry prayers. b) Abner Nelson Memorial First Baptist Church, Anandgram Leprosy Colony, Shahdra, Delhi. We have over 260 members in this church. The growth of this church is nothing short of a miracle. The church was established in 1960 with only a hut that was made of clay walls and a thatched roof. The church was rebuilt in 1975 with a proper building nearly 35 feet by 15 feet. We rebuilt the church building again about three years ago to accommodate more than

25 people. Two years ago, we added two more floors to the existing church to house a non-formal education centre for poor children as well as rooms for our Campbell Home, a home for orphan and semi-orphan boys. The Pastor of the church, Rev. C V Valson, is a very devout and hardworking evangelist and social worker. c) The Lott Carey Baptist Mission Church, Hansi Road, Karnal, Haryana. We have over 50 members in this church, which was established in1971 by Late Dr Ivy Frey Nelson for the inmates of the Leprosy Colony. Rev Samson Sagar is the Pastor of this church who conducts regular Sunday worship services and cottage prayers. d) Bethany Baptist Church, Bethany Leprosy Colony, Gannaur, Haryana. This church was established by the Mission, after a gap of 40 years. Bethany Leprosy colony was started by Dr. Dorothy Chacko, an American Missionary in early 1960s. In May 2013 we built our Church in this colony and started worshipping the Lord. This church has more than 60 members and Rev. C V Valson, Pastor of this church, takes care of the spiritual needs of the inmates of this colony. We have recently appointed an evangelist, Mr. Lazar Masih to attend to the church when Rev Valson is unable to visit the church. e) Prayer Group at Bharat Mata Kusht Ashram (Leprosy Colony), Faridabad,Haryana. More than 40 people attend this prayer meeting, which was started by Rev C V Valson in Since they do not have a church building for worship, they use the main room of our Leprosy Clinic at Faridabad. We earnestly solicit your prayers and support to construct a small church for this congregation. f) Prayer Group at Malikpur Village, Near Gannaur, Sonepat, Haryana. Rev Valson started this prayer group in The Village chieftain was kind enough to give his upper storey room for the congregation where worship services are held twice every month. About 25 people attend these prayer meetings. Please pray for a full-fledged church for this prayer group. 22

26 g) Prayer Group at Gharounda, Near Karnal, Haryana This prayer group was started by Rev Valson in 2013 with seven families. God willing we are planning to acquire a plot of land to construct the 5 th Church of the Mission in India. Teaching Ministry Education is high on our agenda for the masses of India. The Mission established and administers four public schools (these are privately run schools as compared with government run schools in India) as well as 3 non-formal schools (these schools which provide free education for impoverished communities) through which nearly 9000 students are enrolled. The mission also supports more than 200 poor students in various hostels in and around Delhi. We support 15 students in nursing schools, five (5) children for graduate courses, one (1) student for Public Accounting course and one (1) student for company secretary training. a) Somerville School, Vasundhara Enclave, Delhi (www. somervillevasundhara.in) Established in 1975, this school caters to 3018 students. The teaching staff strength is 133, administrative and support staff strength is 103. Our Principal for this school is Miss Esther Mani. b) Somerville School, NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh ( Established in 1987, this school caters to 3457 students. The teaching staff strength 147, administrative and support staff of 95. The school is very popular in NOIDA and East Delhi for its excellence in Academic and extra-curricular Activities. The Principal of this School, Mrs. Margaritta Nalini Arulraj, is the recipient of the National Teachers Award, from the Central Board of Secondary Education. c) Somerville School, Greater NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh. ( Established in 1998, this school has the distinction of being the first school in Greater NOIDA. The school provides excellent education to children in a well-disciplined atmosphere. There are 2066 students, 97 teachers, and 108 administrative and support staff. The Principal of this school, Dr Mary Thomas, is recipient of the prestigious Central Board of Secondary Education 23

27 Teacher s Award d) Somerville International School, Sector 132, NOIDA, UP ( Established in 2013, this school has 285 students mainly from the upper middle class strata of the society. There are 18 teachers and 40 administrative staff who serve the school. Mrs. Aparna Maggie, formerly Vice-Principal of Somerville School (NOIDA) is heading the school. e) Charitable Schools 1. Lott Carey Baptist Mission School, R.A Bazar, Meerut Cantt., U.P This school, which started in 1950, is the first venture of the Mission into the field of education. Located about 70 Kms from Delhi, it caters to poor children from surrounding areas. There are 170 students and 6 teachers. Even the grand children of the first batch of students are studying in this school! However this school is only to the fifth grade, after which they are accommodated in the nearby Government Schools. Miss Dolly Lal is the Headmistress of the school. 2. Somerville Non-Formal Education Project, Amarnagar, Faridabad, Haryana This school is exclusively for the children of quarry workers who are not able to send their wards to regular schools. Elementary non-formal education is given to more than 30 children who attend this school. Mrs Anima Kandulna is the sole teacher of the school. 3. Somerville Non Formal School, Anandgram, Shahdra, Delhi This is the latest non-formal education centre of the Mission. There are about 80 three to four year old students study in nursery and kindergarten classes which are held above the Church Hall. There are two teachers and two helpers. Rev Valson was instrumental in opening this school for the Mission. The children are accommodated in the nearby government schools after the pre-primary education. 24

28 Healing Ministry a) HIV/AIDS Care and Support Home, Tilak Nagar, New Delhi Started in 2006, this project imparts awareness programmes among vulnerable sections of our society, through counselling and visual media. Additionally, we have a seven-bed hospital to take care of the unfortunate victims of this dreaded disease. Our outpatient department caters to more than 50 patients a day. Dr J C Dash is the Head of this project and 10 workers including Nurses and Outreach workers serve this project. b) Leprosy Clinics administered by the Mission. More than 500 inmates of these colonies are given proper medical aid, dressing materials for ulcers and extra nutrition if prescribed by the attending doctor. Our physicians are: a) Dr. P K Tyagi b) Dr. Virender Atreja and c) Dr. Mrs. C P Das. A staff of 12, both skilled and unskilled serve these institutions. 1. Lott Carey Baptist Mission Hospital, Indira Chakraborthy Gram, Karnal, Haryana. 2. Dr Ivy Nelson Memorial Leprosy Clinic, Bharat Mata Kusht Ashram, Gandhi Colony, Faridabad, Haryana. 3. Lott Carey Baptist Mission Clinic at Navjeevan Leprosy Colony, Vaikunt Dham, Panipat, Haryana. 4. Lott Carey Baptist Mission Clinic, Navjyoti Leprosy Association, Udyog Nagar, Mangolpuri, Delhi. 5. Gandhi Kush Ashram, Hissar Road, Rohtak, Haryana 6. Lott Carey Baptist Mission Clinic, Bethany Leprosy Colony, Gannaur, Haryana. c) Mobile Clinics We serve the poor and needy people, who are in need of medical aid through Mobile Clinics at five centres in Delhi and Haryana. The patients are given free medicines through our mobile clinics. Dr P K Tyagi is the doctor in charge of our mobile clinics. d) Campbell Home for Boys, Anandgram, Shahdra, Delhi. This is the latest project of the Mission. We have 12 children in this Home for Boys, who are orphans or semi-orphans. The boys are in the age group of 3-6 years. Their physical and spiritual needs are taken care of by Rev C V Valson, and his dedicated staff. Nutritious food and excellent living conditions 25

29 are provided to these children on the second floor of the Church at Anandgram. Dr. P K Tyagi regularly visits the Home for medical check-up of the boys. It is worthwhile to mention that these children attend regular classes in our Somerville School at Vasundhara Enclave. The children are brought up in the Christian faith, and they regularly attend the church services and Sunday school classes. It is a joy to hear them sing hymns in the Church. Please pray for this ministry and the children. OUR IMPACT IS LARGE The Mission s impact is manifold. Through our schools we mould a disciplined and hardworking generation of students, who will be an asset to our country. Regular scripture classes are held in schools and many students from all religions attend the same voluntarily. Bible stories inspire them to lead their life in a better way. The students of our schools are taught at an early age to respect and care for their lesser privileged brothers and sisters, as well as their families. At Christmas time, the children of our public schools visit our non-formal education centres with sweets, books, school bags and other gift items. They learn and feel the joy of giving. Students of Somerville School Vasundhara Enclave give monthly rations to 29 HIV/AIDS affected families at our Care and Support Home at Tilak Nagar, Delhi. These provisions are supplied by the parents of the students of our school. I take this opportunity to thank my colleagues including headquarters office staff, doctors, pastors, principals of schools and their staffs. I specially thank Mrs. D A Tressler, our Chairperson/Director Somerville Schools for her valuable help and support in supervising the functioning of schools, which caters to nearly 9000 students. I am grateful for the support and guidance of Rev. Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, and office bearers of Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, USA., especially Mrs. Tonga Peterson and Rev. Dawn Sanders. God bless you all and our Convention richly for the work you are doing in His Vineyard. May our Lord bless us richly and abundantly as He has done in the past. All Glory be to Him. 26

30 Annual Report Lott Carey Baptist Mission Nigeria By Rev. Kenneth C. Ebong, Superintendent When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad. We here in Nigeria greet you all in the Name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and do wish you a wonderful Annual session being held in Greensboro North Carolina U.S.A. INTRODUCTION We remain grateful for the mercies of God towards Nigeria. We are thankful to God for averting the expected post-election violence. Since our relatively newly found democracy, this year s election has been the most heated and geographically divided election. There were threats of mayhem and violence from the north, the south-east and the south-south. The Boko Haram in the north, said if Jonathan (former President Goodluck Johnathan) wins they would burn down Abuja; the Delta Militants in The south-south said if Jonathan didn t win, they will disrupt the flow of crude oil and gas by breaking down the pipelines, and then the Biafrans militants of the south-east said they would resurrect their campaign for independence. But God stepped in and gave Jonathan the grace to concede defeat without contesting the elections results. We don t even want to imagine what might have been happening now. So we are basking in the atmosphere of God s mercies. OUR ENGAGEMENT 27

31 90% of our engagement here in the rural areas of their adjourning southern states of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers. Most of the people here are predominantly engaged in subsistence farming and petty trading of their agricultural produce in their community markets. Our involvement consists of Christian evangelism, education and health programs. Presently, our evangelistic involvement in these areas has produced 81 churches which are led by a crop of over 80 ministers. Our educational involvement has established 5 educational institution managed by staff of over 150. DISCRIPTION OF INVOLVEMENT Involving ourselves in these rural areas of financially handicapped demographics, the mission finds itself subsidizing very heavily, the cost of functioning meaningful; especially with its schools. The schools in reference are; 1. The Lott Carey Baptist Secondary School Afaha Obio Eno, Ibiono Established in The Etuk Uruk Eshiet Community School Etuk Uruk Eshiet Etim Ekpo Established The Lott Carey Baptist Nursery / Primary Schools, Ikot Ebom Itam, Itu established in The Lott Carey Baptist Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Efre Itak, Ikono established in The Lott Carey Nursery / Primary School, Uwanse, Calabar, Cross River State Established in Establishing and running educational institutions is capital intensive. Hence the actualization of appropriate funding would guarantee that each of these schools is properly equipped with adequate libraries, basic classroom furniture and equipment, computer and science laboratories, teaching aids and non-teaching staffs to ensure relevance and meaningful educational experience. As for our evangelistic pursuits, funding is necessary so as to assist in subsidizing the welfare, personal and ministerial development of our ministers. It takes a special grace to answer the call to rural ministry, where little or no assistance is expected. Hence the need as much encouragement as possible to assist them fulfilled their calling with relative dignity. 28

32 IMPACT OF OUR INVOLVEMENT Our involvement as Christians is highly welcomed in these areas. This is so because they have realized that we are there to serve and give instead of Lording and extracting. They have understood that we are playing a vital role in community development via our evangelistic and educational programs. Evangelism Through the network of 81 churches, morality based teaching and preaching inoculate individuals against a host of social vices and problems. The emphasis on character building and the dignity of humanity help minimize the instance of crime, youth delinquency, and other socials ills. It also strengthens and stabilizes the family unit (which is the bedrock of any society). It develops their sense of dignity and selfworth does heightening one s self esteem. Our different initiatives of self-help, leadership training, skill acquisition and other enhancement teaching goes a long way to assist those concerned to grow and develop themselves into responsible citizens of their communities. Our Christian based involvement through our churches plays a pivotal role in the general health and well-being of the communities we find ourselves. Education Another avenue where we directly or indirectly impact these communities is in our vital role in education. Realizing that formal education is one of the most important avenues to lift people out of the schisms of poverty, hunger, backwardness and illiteracy, Lott Carey has invested heavily in subsidizing the cost of delivery and managing of its formal educational programs. Its five (5) schools are all located in highly deprived communities. Without the mission s intervention with a sixty percent (60 %) school fee subsidy, most parents would not able to educate their children. Secondly, since all of our schools are government approved, they have been designated as national Examination Centres for other pertinent examinations. As a result of the influx of candidates during the one to two periods of these examinations, there is an economic boost. Most of these candidates rent rooms for this period. As a result, those who can afford it either extend their existing homes or build modest attachment for rental purposes. Also there is an increase in small corner stores. So here too, we 29

33 have found ourselves contributing towards the economic and structural development of these communities. CHALLENGES Despite all of this, we must not neglect to mention some of our imposing challenges. Presently, some of our schools building need repairs, some need classrooms furniture and some need playground equipment for the kids. With the present economics state, we are having difficulties in getting funding to take care of these present issues. For us to continue providing the level or standard of education, the parents are concerned about these conditions. So are we. Secondly, our evangelistic programs in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom States are being hampered by our inability to complete the construction of our church building, which is providing a place of worship for Lott Careyans who have migrated from the rural areas to the capital city of Uyo. APPRECIATION We continue to express our heartfelt appreciation for the Love and Grace that God has given the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention for yielding to the call of missions of which we are beneficiaries. We extend our appreciation to every church, organization and even individual who has made this great commission possible. Our prayer is that God rewards all accordingly to His promises concerning those who reach out to the least of these. We do appreciate Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley and his office staff for their understanding and steadfastness to ensure that the day-to-day working of their commission is carried through. Once again thanks and May God grant us a wonderful annual decision. Touching Lives with Transforming Love 30

34 Annual Report Lott Carey Baptist Ministries of Kenya and Sudan By Rev. Hezron K. Cheruiyot, Superintendent Dear Dr. Goatley and the Lott Carey Family: The Lott Carey family in Kenya and Sudan sends warm greetings to the 118 th Annual Session. We continue to thank God for the many ways that we are able to serve together in ways that help people to know that God loves the world, that God sent Jesus to save us from our sins, and that the Holy Spirit continues to comfort and to guide us in the ways that God wants us to live. We have many challenges in our way, but we have come to learn that God is able to see us through all of the ups and downs that we face in this world. We are happy to share with you some of the ways that we are working together to help people feel the love of God in their lives today. The Lott Carey work has existed in Kenya for 24 years. This is our 10 th year in Sudan. The program traverses parts of the Lake Victoria Basin and South Sudan. These areas face devastating diseases as HIV/ AIDS, malaria, gastrointestinal diseases, tuberculosis etc. In spite of debilitating diseases the potential clientele eke out modest income from traditional human activities. The main ethnic groups are Nuer, Dinka in South Sudan, the Nilotics (Luo) and Nilo Hamites (Kalenjins) of Kenya. The core activities in Kenya are evangelism, church planting, women s empowerment, and the provision of medicines. We have been involved substantially with HIV/AIDS programs for over 10 years. Evangelism continues to grow in Bor, Sudan where we have also assisted orphans and widows in South Sudan with food and clothing. South Sudan remains a place where we feel called to do more. It achieved independence four years ago, but there continues to be fighting that may be connected to power interests in politics, how revenue will be shared, and the personal wealth associated with different powerful players. 31

35 The gospel is needed there and we continue to pray for the ability to do evangelism and support for poor and vulnerable people there. OUR WORK Evangelism is our number one priority in this ministry. It is not the kind of evangelism, however, where we only focus on a personal relationship with Jesus. We do not think that is real evangelism. The Good News of Jesus concerns the spiritual, the physical, and the social areas of life. When we work with widows and orphans, we have to make the gospel real to them in their poverty and vulnerability. Therefore, our evangelism efforts address the human problems that people face in this part of the world related to education, health, and economic empowerment. We have a special emphasis on widows and orphans because they are the most vulnerable people. Making them stronger will be a good witness for the Lord and will make their lives better in the long run. Our work spreads across five districts in Kenya. We are doing evangelism in Nakuru, Bomet, Bureti, Kericho, Nandi and Kipkelion Districts. Evangelism is organized by all the churches in their respective Districts. We have 37 established congregations spread in all the 5 districts with an average of members in each congregation. We are grateful to God for such tremendous growth. Each district has a headquarters and at least one permanent sanctuary. The rest are makeshift buildings of iron sheets or mud. Construction is ongoing in most districts. Our ultimate goal is to have permanent and semi-permanent structures in all the local congregations. We continue to provide training opportunities for pastors, laymen, and youth so that they can be better leaders for the churches. Our two acre coffee plantation in Kaborok is an invaluable resource. The proceeds continue to help and community at large. The coffee proceeds helped us to sponsor a pastor in South Sudan, and we still provide support from time to time. We continue to pray that Lott Carey churches will lend us a hand in our ministry in South Sudan. The needs are great there, but the opportunities are greater. We continue to be thankful to God for Rev. Dr. Larry Jordan of Maple Springs Baptist Church, Capital Heights, Maryland, and his team for establishing our clinics in Our projections of patients when we started were far below the real need that continues to exist. This project continues to be an important part of the witness of the church. We reach hundreds of people each month and people are very grateful for this benefit in the community. Dr. Jordan and his team continue to make 32

36 annual visits and they provide ongoing financial support so that we can distribute medicines to people who could not have access to care. They continue to recruit other supporters for this important work, and we think this is a very good model for other churches to follow reaching out to churches that you can influence to invite them to support special projects. We continue to sustain the HIV/AIDS project that Lott Carey launched in Mrs. Florence Cheruiyot gives leadership of this ministry, and we have several widows that we support. Most of them are HIV positive. We also have almost 50 orphans that we care for. People do not talk about the AIDS pandemic in some parts of the world as much as they use to, but AIDS is still a crisis for many people who cannot access care, who have lost loved ones and the ability to generate income, and for the ongoing stigma attached to the disease. We are thankful for your ongoing support in this area. The progress of our women s empowerment program increases. Widows and grandmothers continue to receive training in ways that can make their lives better. This includes training in sewing and making crafts that we can sell in the market place. This adds income to their households, builds support among the women, and builds leadership skills among the women. We continue to make progress on the new women s empowerment center that is under construction. The new building will increase our capacity to train women for better economic health, personal health, and family health. We thank God for Dr. Dale Johnson who funded the foundation of the new building. We thank God for the Lott Carey Women in Service Everywhere that has funded the building of the first floor of the building. We thank God for the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for their visit and financial support to help us on the second floor. We need a few more partners to help us complete the roof, electricity, and plumbing. Then, women who come for training will have a safe and secure place to stay and a place to train that makes them feel supported better. Our work to empower women is critical to the Christian witness in this part of the world. OUR FUTURE We thank God for many opportunities to serve across the years. As we have matured, we have developed different aspects of this ministry so that we can meet the needs that we face. We first started with education for children. We then began working in evangelism. We added women s empowerment and orphan support. We added health care. We are doing some work on economic development. We look forward to getting 33

37 stronger in all of these areas, but we want to invite your prayer and support in the following areas: 1. We desire to increase our support for a culture of selfreliance. We do not desire to remain as dependent as we have been on the generosity of our partners in the United States. This does not mean that we are ungrateful. It means that we desire to grow our ability to provide more resources locally. This will require providing or accessing skills training in different areas. 2. We desire to increase our capacity for income generating enterprises. Horticulture, aquaculture, and poultry husbandry are agricultural opportunities for us to pursue in addition to basketry and furniture works using the ubiquitous hyacinth weed that is prevalent in the Lake Victoria area. The program is securely located in agricultural and pastoral areas, and we are blessed with expansive water surfaces that easily promote agriculture, aquaculture, and poultry farming and recently in South Sudan discovery of oil resources. With financial support and technical assistance, we are confident that we can help to transform the quality of life for people for generations to come. 3. We are happy to be in conversation with the Lott Carey international office about how our long relationship and experience in missions may be able to support other ministry projects in Kenya. I visited church and school programs in Kakamega along with Dr. Goatley last year and was inspired by what I saw and by the possibility of lending support to programs in our area that are supported by churches in the Lott Carey network. This is an exciting opportunity that we hope to pursue. CONCLUSION I conclude by commending and thanking Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley and the entire Lott Carey family in the USA for your love and care. We appreciate the prayers, encouragement, financial support, and visits by short-term missions team. We enjoy the many delegations that you send and welcome more. My wife and I pray for a good session, as well as all of us in this ministry. 34

38 Annual Report Trinity Evangelical Ministries Retreat, St. Mary, Jamaica By Rev. Karl B. Johnson, Chairman The Trinity Evangelical Ministry (TEM) greets the Lott Carey Foreign Mission family during this the 118 th Annual Session. We join with the global family in celebrating the joys of the past year while sharing in the challenges and difficult moments experienced by many across the globe. We extend special greetings to the President, the Rev. Dr. Gregory K. Moss, Sr. and the Executive Secretary-Treasurer, the Rev. Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley. The Issue The Trinity Evangelical Ministries, Lott Carey s partner in Jamaica, provides critically important training for at risk youth. TEM operates the Retreat Skills Training Center. This is located in a poor rural community where people historically subsisted mainly as casual laborers in the banana industry which currently has almost died. The unemployment rate is, therefore, very high. Young people, especially, need skills and entrepreneurship training to facilitate employment in Jamaica s growth industries: construction, hospitality/ tourism and other service industries, as well as for self-employment. To address this critical need, we provide education and training opportunities for poverty alleviation and employment creation, and we address health issues among poor and marginalized youths and adults. Accredited Skills Training Programs are delivered through partnership with the Human Employment and Resource Training Trust, the National Training Agency of the Government of Jamaica (HEART Trust/NTA). The current skills training program includes Food & Beverage Services, Front Office Agent and Villa Services with a planned enrolment of twenty (20) per skill area. The training lasts for nine (9) months and two (2) cycles of sixty (60) each can be enrolled in a calendar year (the second cycle will carry over to the following year). HEART provides direct funding support for training by way of a dedicated subvention Instructors stipend, training materials, trainee 35

39 assessment and certification, and some utilities costs. TEM conducts Vacation Bible School in partnership with church groups mainly from the USA. Enrolment is as many as four hundred (400) children and youth on occasion. Additionally, an average of 400 persons is seen per medical mission. While the cost for VBS and overseas medical missions is borne mainly by the groups partnering with TEM; the organization has to cover some incidental costs. Funding is required from Lott Carey for administrative management, support services and maintenance support (property, including buildings). Included are funds for statutory obligations/taxes, payment for consultancy services and fees for auditors; salary/stipend for the Managing Director, Accountant and caretaker, as well as travelling subsidy for Instructional staff. Achieving the planned outcomes of the project will not only enable delivery of skills training in a favourable learning environment but, facilitate capacity building and entrepreneurship and consequently, improvement in the quality of life among marginalized peoples in impoverished St. Mary. The Project As indicated and detailed above the funds are needed for administrative management, support services and maintenance support. Currently the staff is poorly paid which results in a high turnover of instructors. Lack of the current financial support would probably lead to closure of the facilities and curtailing of the missions of the organization. Additionally, the funds will assist in ensuring that training and other activities are properly managed and delivered in a conducive learning and healthy environment. Training activities are the responsibility of a Project Coordinator and Instructional Staff (Technical and Soft Skills). The hiring of instructional staff and monitoring of the training program is the responsibility of a Community Management Committee (CMC) with oversight given by TEM S Managing Director who provides status reports to the Board. The Project Coordinator may be invited to Board Meetings. Additionally, a Community Based Training (CBT) Manager employed to HEART monitors the project on behalf of that organization. The impact of the completed project will include improved employment opportunities, poverty alleviation, youth empowerment and community upliftment. 36

40 Our Impact The mission of the Trinity Evangelical Ministries is to transform lives, families and communities. The impact of the completed project includes improved employment opportunities, poverty alleviation, youth empowerment and community uplift. The projects/ministries of the organization result in: Highly skilled, globally competitive individuals who can be employed, not only in Jamaica, but the global marketplace. Others establish their own businesses (entrepreneurship). Over the years, persons have been trained in the following skills: Cosmetology, Housekeeping, General Office Administration, Food & Beverage Services, Front Office Agent, Villa Services and Early Childhood Education. Current skill offerings are Food & Beverage Services, Front Office Agent and Villa Services. Up to 120 persons can be impacted annually. The staff for the skills training program are four Instructors (Technical and Soft Skills) and a Project Coordinator. Volunteers (variable) from businesses/industry and the community, as well as HEART personnel provide assistance with areas of the program. Medical missions impact 400 persons on average per team and serves to address many health issues affecting members (children, youth, and adults) of the community of Content Retreat, St. Mary. The medical missions are conducted by volunteers from the USA or locally. The numbers vary. Participants in Vacation Bible School can be between persons. This ministry exposes children and youth to solid Christian principles or provide reinforcement for those who normally attend Sunday School and church. VBS volunteer teams average 40 persons. The Trinity Evangelical Ministries continues to be grateful to Lott Carey for its partnership and financial support. 37

41 Touching Lives with Transforming Love 38

42 Annual Report Baptist Theological Seminary of Zimbabwe Gweru, Zimbabwe By Dr. Henry Mugabe, Consultant Zimbabwe Theological Seminary (ZTS) was born out of a serious concern for sound theological education in Zimbabwe and beyond. The opening of Zimbabwe Theological Seminary was aimed at making theological education accessible to all persons, male and female, rich and poor, who are called to the various ministries of the church and the society at large. Currently, Zimbabwe Theological Seminary is renting a two story building formerly Housing and Construction Company Offices. Due to economic hardships in our country, Zimbabwe Theological Seminary is facing challenges in paying up monthly bills which include; rental fees; water charges, electricity, salaries of our lecturers and staff every month. Such costs as monthly bills could be avoided if the institution gets assistance in building its own premises. The majority of students who are willing to study with our institution come from disadvantaged families therefore ZTS is seeking for scholarship to assist such students to acquire sound theological education. Our difference is that students who cannot afford education in expensive institutions are accepted at ZTS. We groom them and at the end they serve in churches and other institutions of higher learning and this make us unique since we take care of the poorest of the poor. The current economic situation in Zimbabwe is characterised by most people living below the total consumption poverty line (TCPL). Un-employment rates that followed the closure of most industries have serious adverse effects to the generality of Zimbabweans. Many people are struggling to sustain their lives. This trend has affected the education of the poor. Only the rich can afford to send their children to tertiary institutions and Universities. Most of our students come from backgrounds that have suffered the vice of economic upheavals. As a 39

43 result such students cannot pay for their fees. This makes us request for scholarships or grants to help in the education of the underprivileged students. MISSION STATEMENT Zimbabwe Theological Seminary is a Christian institution shaped by Baptist tradition and piety, ecumenical openness and social concern whose mission is to glorify God by providing quality theological and religious education to prepare pastors, teachers, scholars and leaders for empowering churches and societal transformation in Zimbabwe and beyond. The Seminary seeks to achieve this by developing students with, spiritually, intellectually and practically skilled hands for empowering churches and society in general. Vision Our vision is to make theological education accessible to all persons who are called to the various ministries of the church and societal-needs. Core Values Intellectual Integrity (tough minds) Spiritual formation (tender hearts) Practical Ministry (trained hands) Love Justice Respect Excellence Cooperation Stewardship IMPACT Male and Female Students Zimbabwe Theological Seminary does not discriminate on gender basis. Our female students who are not easily accepted buy other theological institutions are given equal opportunity with male students. Women and men who graduate from our Seminary will serve as chaplains in the Police, Military and Prison services and the majority have gone to teaching in primary and high schools. The Marginalised/Disadvantaged Zimbabwe Theological Seminary does not discriminate on class 40

44 basis. Students who come from disadvantaged families, who cannot afford tertiary education are accepted at the seminary. This theological education for all classes will transform their lives and these once dependent students will become bread winners in their families. Churches and other organisations: Besides training pastors who are making great developments in their churches, we have a number of our students who are called to serve in different fields, for instance, HIV/AIDS and Counselling Organizations. The whole Zimbabwean Community: Our seminary supplies different governmental ministries with service providers in different areas. For example, we support the ministry of education through teachers both primary and secondary. We support the ministry of Higher Learning and Tertiary Education with lecturers. We support the ministry of home affairs, defence, and health with chaplains, ministry social and child Welfare though our social workers. We support ministries of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary affairs through National Healing and Counsellors. We support Non- Governmental Organizations through our development officers. Many churches are also benefiting from our ministry through training for pastors and Anglican Priests. The quality of education that we give has impacted persons positively and changed the lives of many of our students and their families and the community at large. We have personal testimonies of students who were idle in the community but are now people of respect and influence (they are somebody) in their communities. This theological education has transformed their lives and these once dependent students are now bread winners in their families. Besides training pastors who are making great developments in their churches, we have a number of our students who are called to serve in different fields, for instance, HIV/ AIDS and counselling organizations. Some are teachers in primary and secondary schools, marriage officers, and chaplains in hospitals, police departments, military and prisons. We are grateful for the partnership that we enjoy with the Lott Carey family around the world. You have made it possible for us to give birth 41

45 to a new theological institution in Zimbabwe during turbulent political, economic, and denominational times. In spite of the difficulties that we face, we continue to rejoice in how God blesses our faithfulness. We continue to look forward to the future with confidence that, in God s time, God will provide all of our needs to nurture new leaders for the church and the larger community. Thank you for your partnership. Touching Lives with Transforming Love 42

46 Haiti Disaster Response Project By Kathi L. Reid, Project Manager Disaster Services In response to the suffering of our sisters and brothers in the Republic of Haiti following the 12 January 2010 earthquake, Christians of African-American Baptist heritage united to respond compassionately and collaboratively through advocacy, ministry, and empowerment. Lott Carey continues our commitment: To engage in ongoing programs of service delivery and sustainable development To advocate for just and humane policies toward Haiti in the United States and the international community; To create synergies by collaborating with financial support and technical assistance in responses of relief and recovery; and, To invest in houses, churches, schools and hospitals or clinics. It has been more than 5 years since the devastating earthquake, and we continue to make significant impact since February 2010 in our areas of priority. This report summarizes our progress to date in our areas of focus: projects, service opportunities and advocacy. HOUSING In partnership with Grace International and Fuller Center for Housing, Lambi Village is a planned 6 acre community of 28 duplexes (56 housing units) for permanent homes located in Gressier, Haiti. After breaking ground in 2011, Lambi Village continues to grow as a community. A total number of 56 planned homes have been completed in Lambi Village. There are 83 families (approximately 500 individuals) residing in Lambi Village. Most of these families are enjoying their new lives in permanent homes. Another 27 families are still living either in make-shift tents or t-shelters (10x10 wood shelters) within the village. 43