Pastor Joe A. Carter

The son of the Late Reverend Henry B. Carter, Sr. and the Late Wynona P. Hutchinson, Pastor Joe A. Carter was born on August 25, 1970. At the age of nine-years-old, Pastor Carter told his father of his desire to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and on Sunday, March 16, 1980, he preached his initial sermon from Genesis 1:1, entitled “The Magic of God.”

Pastor Carter’s family relocated to Waukegan, IL and it was there that word of Pastor Carter’s preaching gift brought him to the attention of well known pastors and preachers. At the age of 21, Pastor Carter was preaching the late night services at the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. Inc. and it was here in 1990 that Reverend Dr. C.E. Thomas, then pastor of The New Hope Baptist Church, discerned the Spirit of God working in this young preacher.

In 1993, Pastor Carter was called to serve as the Assistant Pastor of The New Hope Baptist Church, a position he held faithfully until April 26, 1998, when he was installed as Co-Pastor. Pastor Joe A. Carter became the Pastor of The New Hope Baptist Church on November 1, 2000; the sixth and youngest pastor in the church’s 108-year history.

Pastor Carter began his ministry by sharing the Word of God across the United States, influencing the lives of many in need of Jesus Christ. God has blessed the gift (that some thought was just a phase) to transform the hearts of many for over 30 years.

In the 18 years Pastor Carter has been united with The New Hope Baptist Church, he has proven himself as one used by God to guide, provide, protect, and shepherd the spiritual lives of God’s people. Under Pastor Carter’s tutelage, he has worked tirelessly as an advocate for cohesive change within the community and religious sector by developing and organizing Christian Leaders for Community Empowerment (CLCE), a collaboration of area pastors who are concerned with the state of our communities.

Pastor Carter believes the problem with our communities, our nation and our world could be solved if we addressed the immediate and long-term needs of our children, who are the precious fruit of today and our hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Pastor Carter championed the organization of The New Hope Baptist Church’s 501c3 and in 1999 the Vision of Hope Community Development Corporation was established.

Under Pastor Carter’s leadership, he has expanded Vision of Hope’s efforts to include staff and supplemental volunteers who are utilized to aide in daily servicing the community in need of counseling, substance abuse referrals, mental health issues, afterschool tutorial program/activities and food and clothing.

As an agent for change, Pastor Carter’s efforts continue to have an expansive reach, providing resources for over 20,000 clients annually and supplying them with life’s basic needs.

Pastor Carter is the “bridge builder” with the burden of making the clarion call to action for all who would be courageous enough to lay down their wants and live their lives so God can use them.