Dr. Carter was born in Selma, AL, and the son of Dr. Nathan Mitchell Carter, a professor of Old Testament Studies at Selma University, and Lillie Belle Hicks Carter, a teacher before marriage. His brother, the late Mr. Nathan M. Carter, Jr., was a notable musician who led the Morgan State University Choir.

Dr. Carter studied to be an attorney, and earned a law degree from Alabama State College. He later realized that he was to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and continued his studies at Crozer Theological Seminary, Chester, PA; St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, MD; and Colgate Bexley Hall/Crozer Seminary, Rochester, N.Y. All of his studies prepared him for 47 years of ministry and service to others.

Within the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., Dr. Carter was a pioneering figure, and as one of the PNBC's favorite sons, we will always celebrate his contributions. He founded the Progressive Baptist State Convention of Maryland, and offered leadership in all aspects of convention life; especially in preaching, evangelism and theological studies. His many gifts and abilities could be seen as he led in singing and worship during services. His voice touched millions over the years, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to have heard him and known him during his life and ministry.

Dr. Carter was a friend and colleague of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the late Rev. Dr. Ralph D. Abernathy, and many other spiritual and civil rights giants during that time. He became very active in the civil rights movement in the 60's and helped to coordinate the "Poor People's Campaign." Dr. Carter was called and anointed to open and walk through the doors of evangelism, preaching and teaching around the globe. He was one of the first African Americans to preach across ecumenical and color lines in his evangelistic thrust. He even preached the gospel at the Southern Baptist Convention and behind the Iron Curtain. He also reached thousands through his evangelistic crusades and his weekly radio broadcasts.

One of Dr. Carter's pioneering works was, "The Prayer Tradition of Black People." In this telling book, Dr. Carter lifts the prayer tradition of Black people as being central to their well-being and success. He shared that the Black prayer tradition helped African Americans survive slavery, gave birth to churches, developed church leaders, provided a pathway for female leadership, fueled the success of the Civil Right movement and proved to be a healing ground for physical, mental, and spiritual diseases. We know that this remains true even today.

Dr. Carter was a personal friend and mentor to me. The Progressive Baptist constituents will greatly miss him, and we all take heart in knowing that Dr. Carter's legacy of prophetic scholarship, ministry and witness will continue to live. The mantle of ministry will continue in the work of his son, Dr. Harold A. Carter, Jr.; in his daughter, Weptanomah Carter Davis; in the New Shiloh Baptist Church family; and in Dr. Carter's many colleagues and friends.

Dr. Carter was a true gift to the Body of Christ. As we lift the Carter family and New Shiloh Baptist Church in prayer, we also lift our hearts in celebration and our minds, as we reflect upon the life and legacy of a Giant and Legend in the life of Dr. Harold A. Carter, Sr.

Dr. Carrol A. Baltimore, Sr.

President

PNBC Takes Part in Effort to Preserve 

Historic Native American Land

 

Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore recently took part in a protest of the government taking sacred Native American lands in Arizona for the purpose of mining.

 

Dr. Baltimore and Dr. John Mendez attend protest rally.

As background, The Oak Flat Campground was set aside by President Eisenhower in an effort to preserve special public lands from threats like mining and development. Since that time, thousands of visitors have enjoyed the wild, rugged canyon terrain that defines this area.

 

The land is also considered sacred by local tribes, including the Western Apache, Yavapai and others. Unknown to many, a rich vein of copper exists under Oak Flat-putting this site at risk of severe Copper mining which would shut out visitors to Oak Flat and give international mining companies like Rio Tinto the power to disrupt the land by digging mine shafts, excavating minerals and carving roads through a once wild landscape. The tribes would be stripped of access to native and sacred lands to practice their religion.