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2009 Persons Of The Year: Rev. Willie H. Carter
January 3, 2010
Rev. Willie H. Carter of Century has been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.
Turn off the TV — anyone that knows Rev. Carter knows that piece of advice.
Rev. Carter preaches a good sermon as pastor of Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches in North Escambia with a 130 year history. He has a passion for his Lord, and a passion for youth, including the dozens of youth in his church. But he preaches more than just the Gospel to young people in Century area.
“After you watch TV for an hour, close your eyes and see what you got out of that,” Rev. Carter said. He never missed the opportunity to tell young people to turn off the television. “Then read a book, close your eyes and see what you learned.”
“Your life is in you hands,” the reverend said. “You can make it anything you want it to be.”
Rev. Carter spent many years as a counselor at schools in Century, and he’s never stopped preaching the value of self-worth and education to youngsters.
“I can remember when it was not easy for someone to even make it to the eighth grade,” Rev. Carter told the final class of graduating eighth graders at Carver/Century K-8 School holding his Century diploma from May 22, 1936, in his hand. “Tonight, we have to think of it as a beginning.”
“Nobody’s going to ask you if came out of a little town like Century, but if you can do the job,” he said.
His involvement in the Century community extends beyond church and education. No matter what the cause for the good of Century, the Rev. Carter is there. Dozens of pastors and churches were invited to take part in a Learn To Read luncheon several months ago. One pastor was there — the Rev. Willie Carter.
Whether it was the effort to keep Carver/Century K-8 School open, or the effort to unite Century, Rev. Carter was there.
“If we’d just do like the football player, we could do a whole lot better,” he said. “It does not matter who is going to be blocking, tackling or carrying the ball. They just want to get the job done.”
“I am calling on Century; it is time for us to come together,” Rev. Carter said. “It is time for us to realize that we have one God.”
Pictured top: Rev. Willie H. Carter addresses the last-ever graduating class at Carver/Century K-8 School. Pictured inset: Rev. Carter with his 1936 Century diploma. Pictured bottom: Rev. Carter prays with Century Mayor Freddie McCall. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
20 Responses to “2009 Persons Of The Year: Rev. Willie H. Carter”
CONGRADULATION MR. CARTER, OOPS! THERE I GO AGAIN–IT’S REV CARTER, BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MR CARTER TO ME. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE TO ME ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT IS FOREVER ETCHED IN MY LIFE AS THE PERSON THE TAUGHT ME THAT “ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE – WITH MY BEST “FOOT-FORWARD” TYPE EFFORT. I HAVE TRIED TO INSTILL THOSE TEACHING TO MY OFF SPRINGS AND TO ALL PEOPLE THAT I ENCOUNTER DURING MY LIFE. THANK YOU MR CARTER, I WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL TO YOU. THIS REWARD WAS ALWAYS YOURS IN ALL OF YOUR STUDENT’S LIVES. WE ARE QUITE GROWN-UP BUT YOUR NAME IS MORE THAN “HONORED BY US ALL. CONGRADULATIONS AGAIN. YOUR SON
JOHN
Congrats 2 u Rev.Carter. One special man; i must say so.
CONGRATULATIONS UNCLE WILLIE!!! SOMETHING YOU TRULY DESERVE. AUNT CORRIE IS SO PROUD OF YOU!!!
Rev. Carter, congratulations on this well deserved honor. I will always be grateful for your friendship. One who is never too busy to listen, advise and share your wealth of knowledge and wisdom, you are still my inspiration. And the world is certainly a better place because of your compassion and the giving of yourself.
May God continue to bless you and keep you in His care.
Love you,
Maggie I. Thornton
We are so very proud of you Pastor, we Love and appreciate you for all that you have done and will continue to do especially concerning our youth at Pilgrim Lodge. May God continue to shine on you and may everything that you encounter be called blessed………….
we are so proud of you and we think you for all you do.may god bless you.
It’s an honor to congratulate you Rev. Carter (Uncle Willie) on your community achievements and another milestone in your life.
I’m so proud of you and your extra ordinary, incomparable leadership as an humble, compassionate man of God!
I pray that God will continue to give you good health and strength as you persevere in making a difference in the lives of others. You’re my hero!
Love Always, Your niece ,
Ira L. Jones
2009 Person of the Year and the Greatest Father that God created.
Kraig
Congratulations on being chosen North Escambia Person of the Year. You are most deserving of the honor. The community of Century is fortunate to have you as one of it’s citizens.
Well, Well, My Dear Former Pastor, Confidant and Friend. It is so wonderful to see you on the internet. I knew when you came to pastor us more than 25 years ago, God was going to take you to higher heights. I can remember something from almost everyone of your sermons. I will never forget how you prayerfully articulated what God had placed in your heart to do concerning leaving your teaching career to become a “full-time” pastor. Afterwhich you were blessed with the opportunity to go to Germany and preach God’s word and save souls. As I read this article, I thought about the numerous articles I have read about you and even the ones I have written. But, what’s more miraculous is that you still look the same. I truly believe that when God made you, He broke the mold. Keep preaching God’s word, breaking the color bearer and relating to children.
Congratulations on a well deserved honor. Century is a better community because of your involvement.
You are truly an outstanding man. Your wisdom transcends generations. If the life one lives is his testimony, and I believe that is true, yours is one to be admired! Your service to God, family, community and country is worthy of documentation in a “Best Selling” biography.
You are greatly admired and appreciated by your family and many, many others.
Love,
Your Nephew and Niece
CONGRADULATIONS REV CARTER!!! =)
I do not believe I know the pastor, but I wish I did. He sounds like a person I would really like to meet.
Congrats Rev. Carter…
BRO. CARTER: I HAVE KNOWN YOU FOR MANY YEARS. I FIRST MET YOU
AT FLOMATON HIGH SCHOOL BACK IN THE 70′S. I WAS TEACHING THERE
AND WAS THE FACULTY ADVISOR TO THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT.
I INVITED YOU TO SPEAK TO OUR STUDENTS AT AN ASSEMBLY WHICH
INVOLVED ALL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. I REMEMBER YOUR
STRONG VOICE, YOUR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE STUDENTS, AND THEIR
POLITE ATTENTION AS YOU SPOKE. YOU HAVE BEEN A STRONGH
INFLUENCE IN THE AREA. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE
THE WORK IN WHICH YOU ARE NOW INVOLVED. GOD BLESS YOU AND
THANK YOU FOR BEING SO STEADFAST. DELMER TEW
Willie is an inspiration to me. The community – the world – is a better place for his presence. He is a man of integrity, honesty, fairness and balance. His wisdom transcends issues of race and we would be blessed indeed if there were more people like him.
God bless Willie Carter.
WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU REV. CARTER. YOU ARE A MAN OF WORSHIP AND A MAN OF CHRIST. FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND THE CHURCH OF PILGRIM LODGE IN CENTURY. ONCE AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB WELL DONE.
Another great choice.Congrats Rev.Carter.
We are proud of you Rev. Carter! I can truly say you changed my life. Those years of advice in school turned me away from a bad way. Thank you, and God Bless You!