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September 13, 2022

Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley, immediate past executive secretary-treasurer (EST) of Lott Carey, has been appointed the 8^th 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.

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Lott Carey has committed to support those affected by the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, in the United States.

In August, Jackson lost access to water when its largest water treatment plant failed, leaving tap water untreated, affecting about 150,000 residents.

Jackson, the state capital, is more than 80 percent African American with a high poverty rate.

“Lott Carey, in collaboration with National Baptist Convention of America, is responding to the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi,” said Executive Secretary-Treasurer Rev. Emmett Dunn.

“The situation is dire and requires urgent response. We are calling on all churches and our partners to meet this immediate need.”

Jackson has suffered longstanding water and other emergencies. According to the Washington Post, Jackson’s water problems have disproportionately affected the city’s low-income, Black communities.

“At the root of this crisis is systemic racism, and the local and state governments’ intentional negligence to redirect infrastructure funds that could have helped solve this issue years ago,” said LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright, co-founders of the local advocacy group Black Voters Matter. “This crisis is not an isolated event.”

The mayor declared a local emergency on August 24, shutting down all businesses and schools. The governor announced a state of emergency on August 29 and deployed 600 National Guards on August 31 to distribute bottled water and hand sanitizer.

“In 2014, we responded urgently and generously when the water in the city of Flint was affected by lead and other contaminants,” said Rev. Dunn. “We are calling for the same response to a similar crisis now in Jackson.”

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A mission budget of $1.8 million was approved by the board during Lott Carey’s 125^th 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.