Celebrating Lott Carey

Lott Cary was never supposed to make history, but God had other plans.

Born into slavery in Virginia in 1780, he was raised in a family of strong, faithful Baptists. But in his early twenties, he was sent to Richmond to work in a tobacco warehouse. He drifted from his beliefs, drinking, swearing, and running with the wrong crowd.

Until one Sunday morning, he heard a sermon about Nicodemus, a man who came to Jesus in search of new life. That message gripped Lott’s heart. He gave his life to Christ and was baptized.

Lott couldn’t read, but he was so moved by the story, he wanted to read it for himself. So he went to night school, learning to write, do math, and most importantly, read the Word of God.

In time, he was promoted to warehouse supervisor. With his new income, he did the unthinkable: he purchased his freedom and the freedom of his two children.

But freedom wasn’t his finish line; it was his launch pad.

Lott became a preacher and a teacher, and he felt called to take the Gospel to Africa. In 1815, he helped form the Richmond African Baptist Missionary Society. Just a few years later, he set sail for Liberia with his family, leaving everything behind to tell people about Jesus.

The road was hard. His wife passed away. Supplies were scarce. But Lott pressed on. He farmed, pastored, preached, and even served as acting governor of Liberia. He planted churches, trained believers, and dreamed of a Gospel movement that would reach all of Africa.

In 1828, just eight years into his mission, Lott Cary died in a tragic accident. But the seeds he planted are still bearing fruit.

His life ignited a flame among African American Christians to take the Gospel around the world. His legacy helped launch Liberia as a free nation. And today, thousands of missionaries walk in his footsteps.

Join us this month, on-air and online, during Christian Heritage Month on BRIGHT-FM as we journey through history and celebrate the rich legacy of those who answered God’s call.