By Charles Moseley
PART II
Beginning on November 25, 1918 and to this day the congregations of the New Mount Olive Baptist Church, have opened their arms and their hearts to all those in search of a spiritual home.
The church has been led by 11 pastors since its inception: Rev. G.T. Green, Rev. G.S. McClover, Rev. Walter Bryant and Rev. S. T. Stafford- 1918-1922; V. Henry P. Bragdon -1923-1930; Rev. C. H. Williams- 1933-1937; Rev. Oscar Warren Wells- 1937-1950; Rev. Robert Henry Lee- 1951-1961; Rev. George Edward Weaver- 1962-1982; Dr. Mack King Carter- 1982-2009; and Dr. Marcus D. Davidson- 2010-Present.
The following is a biographical account of the late Dr. Mack King Carter.
Dr. Carter was anointed as a pastor/teacher in 1966. His pastorates include the Calvary Baptist Church of Ocala, Florida from 1966 to 1970 and the Watula Baptist Church of Ocala, Florida from 1967 to 1970. He also pastored the New Saint John Baptist Church of Ocala,
Florida from 1970 to 1974. Upon being led by the Spirit to relocate to Louisville, Kentucky to complete his theological education, Dr. Carter became the pastor of the Green Castle Baptist Church of Louisville, Kentucky where he served from 1975 to 1981. After being led by the Holy Spirit to relocate to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1981, he became co-pastor with Dr. George E. Weaver for 16 months and in June 1982, he was voted, unanimously, to become the
successor of Dr. George E. Weaver.
Dr. Carter was the pastor/teacher of the New Mount Olive Baptist Church from 1982 – 2009. Upon his retirement, he was named Pastor Emeritus. During his tenure at the New Mount Olive Baptist Church, many changes and improvements that are too numerous to mention have occurred. Many souls have been saved and many people have been taught the mystery of the Gospel. During his tenure, the mortgage on the current facility was burned in 1989.
In addition, under his leadership, the New Mount Olive Baptist Church supported a full-time Missionary in Kenya, East Africa.
Reverend Wayne Lomax joined the ministerial staff in 1985 and served 12 years under the leadership of Dr. Mack King Carter.
“Those years eclipsed any ministry experience that I’ve had, including serving as pastor of The Fountain for more than 20 years.”
“Every great preacher in America visited Mount Olive under Dr. Carter’s tenure including the late Gardner C. Taylor, Dr. William Augustus Jones, Dr. Leon Sullivan, Dr. Joseph Jackson, Dr. Fred Shuttlesworth, Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr.,” said Reverend Lomax.
“Now begins the second century! I am confident that you will soar higher, dig deeper, stretch wider, and stand fast on the Firm Foundation,” added Reverend Wayne Lomax.
The New Mount Olive Baptist Church is presently led by Reverend Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor.
Reverend Dr. Marcus Demond Davidson is a native of Tuscumbia, Alabama. He is the son of Rev. Dr. Green Davidson, III and Mrs. Barbara Bostick-Davidson. He has four siblings: Vanessa Batten, Latresha Davidson-Woods, Rev. Green Davidson, IV, and LaBradford Davidson. He is married to Mrs. Yvokia Jones-Davidson; they have one child, Layla Alexandria. He is the Senior Pastor of New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and President and CEO of PMD Ministries, Inc., offering seminars, lectures, workshops, and curricula focusing on leadership.
Rev. Davidson is a graduate of Deshler High School in Tuscumbia, Alabama. In further studies, he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in Normal, Alabama; Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama; and a Doctor of Ministry with an emphasis in Black Church Leadership from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has studied at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas and abroad at the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology, Kingston, Jamaica, West In-dies.
What was your perception of the New Mt. Olive Baptist Church upon your initial arrival during the vetting process leading up to your appointment as Sr. pastor?
“My initial perception of the New Mount Olive Baptist Church was quite positive. I saw a church that was open to new leadership, amenable to change, and ready to move progressively forward with ministry that would impact the lives of those within the church and community.”
What would you consider your biggest challenge during your tenure at New Mt. Olive as well as your proudest moment during your ministry there?
“My biggest challenge has been shifting the misconceived perception of the New Mount Olive Baptist Church within the community. A number of people that I encountered within the community felt the church did not welcome all people from the community to the church. Some even suggested that one had to be one of the “who’s who” within the community to be a part of the church. Needless to say, that is certainly not who we are as a church. Also, I have seen the church embraced by the community in the most phenomenal way over the past several years.”
“The proudest moment was a few years ago when we had a day of honoring the men of our community. I saw the morale and pride of Black men shine so bright on that day. It is a day that I will never forget.”
What impact has New Mount Olive had on your life and more significantly, it’s historic impact on the community it has served, through ministry?
“The church has helped me grow spiritually as well as socially from a personal perspective. The historic impact of the church in the community has been its unwavering determination to continue to ensure the people within our community are never forgotten in an ever-changing society.”
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