The call to labor for the Kingdom of God appeared early and unmistakably to Pastor Joe A. Carter . In 1979, in Oklahoma City , OK , a nine-year-old Joe Carter began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and impacting the lives of many. Sharing the Word of God in revivals across the country put Pastor Carter in contact with many who were in need of Christ. It brought him to the attention of well-known preachers and pastors. At the age of 21, Pastor Carter was preaching the late night services at the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. Inc. This is precisely where, in 1990, 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 New Hope as the Assistant Pastor. In 1998, he was installed as Co-Pastor and became the Pastor of The New Hope Baptist Church in November 2000.