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The founder of the United Churches of God In Christ and pastor of the Lynwood Park United Church of God in Christ, Bishop
Marshall Carter, came from humble beginnings of Lilburn, Georgia. Because of the actions of his drunken father, as a young
lad he made up his mind to leave home. While walking through the corn field, heading into the unknown, he heard a voice from
heaven saying, “If you leave home now, it will kill your mother.” Looking upward he vowed to God that he would
return home if God would do two things for him. He asked God to never let him use a curse word, and to never let him take
a drop of liquor. His testimony is that he has been more than half way around the world, and he has never done either of
these two things. But he says, “God’s grace kept me.” For at that time he knew nothing about holiness.
As a growing boy, the Lord spared him many times. There were two instances where he almost drowned in the Yellow River—twice
in a day! The first time his cousin swam out and rescued him. The second time (in the same hour) his cousin refused to take
that chance again. But God had a ram in the bush—a long tree branch out from nowhere was seen, and his cousin throwing
it out to him, pulled him into safety.
The plan of God was in the making for the United Church of God in Christ four decades before it was done. In 1940, Marshall
Carter III from Lilburn, Georgia, met Lillie Fanning from Washington, Georgia in Atlanta, Georgia, and they were joined together
in holy matrimony on the ninth of November 1940 in Decatur, Georgia.
It was the seventeenth of August in 1952 on his birthday when his “precious” wife met him at the door with these
words: “Honey, the Lord has been good to you. He allows you to work two jobs when some men are not able to work on
one. You ought to go to church!” You see, he had stopped going to church because the life that he lived was a cleaner
life than the lives of the preachers and deacons with whom he worked. So rather than going to church on Sundays, he stayed
home to watch the baseball games on television, listen to them on the radio, and read about them in the newspaper all at the
same time! His wife, however, was a faithful member and Sunday school teacher at Antioch Baptist Church. She worked with
a large group of children in pageants, the children’s choir, and in other activities. However, her greetings that day
startled him so, until he said to her that he was going to every church in Atlanta until he finds the “right”
one. His wife said that she was going with him. At this time they had three children, Patricia, Larry, and Myra. (Jayetta
was born later).
Every Sunday night Brother Carter took the family to a different church in the community—unless he asked first, “Where
do we go tonight?” The children’s reply was always the same, “the sanctified church!” This was the
one that he joined, Jones Avenue Church of God in Christ. His wife was not ready at this time to leave her church, and would
frequently quote the old phrase: “Baptist bred, Baptist bon”, when I die, it will be a Baptist gone.” But
one Sunday night when Elder Briley (pastor of Jones Avenue Church of God in Christ) was talking before altar call, he quoted
Acts 1:14 and stated that if Mary had been clean enough to birth Jesus, but yet she was in the upper room waiting for the
Holy Ghost, “you know you need it!” Mother Carter was pricked at the heart and ran to the altar. But it was
on Tuesday morning, November 11, 1952, when she got rid of her heavy load. She was baptized with the Holy Ghost. She resigned
all her positions at her church and joined her husband at the Jones Avenue Church of God in Christ.
After being endowed with the precious Holy Ghost, they began having prayer meetings in their home as well as the homes of
others. They were now saved, and they wanted others to be saved. They were anxious to work for Jesus. Sister Carter was
immediately given a Sunday school class, had organized a couple of choirs, and was made president of the Wide Awake Band.
Brother and Sister Carter were punctual, and they were catalysts who aided in the growth of the church. They helped in every
area they could, always volunteering their services rather than complaining when others were not there on time to do their
assigned duties. Brother Carter who had been elevated to deacon and Sunday School Superintendent, brought his guitar to have
music when he led devotion, for the musician was often tardy. He also helped the pastor to baptize people. Brother and Sis.
Carter inspired others to not be slothful in God’s business. But later, it was time to let it all go. In 1956, Deacon
Carter finally expressed his call into the ministry. Just before they were to settle in Reynolds Town, Minister Carter’s
niece, the late Ella Mae hood, requested that they bring the prayer band to her house in the Lynwood Park community. They
did, and they found a great need for the gospel to be preached in this area!
In January of 1959, the founder and his wife rented the small rat-infested café on the main street (then named House Road).
All of the utilities were the expense of the pastor. Maintenance alone was enough to send anybody running. This cafe was
located beside the American Legion—one of Atlanta’s hottest spots for live entertainment, drinking, and gambling.
Much abuse and many threats on their lives were made, but the Carters remained stable. Purchasing a tent in the summer of
that same year, they moved to Victoria Avenue. This was a very lucrative move, one that increased the membership. For the
winter, the congregation moved back to the storefront. Later property of the present location was purchased. It was not
until 1962 that the first edifice was built.
Over a period of time and many hardships, membership and auxiliary participation began to grow. In 1973, Elder George Briley
was elevated to the bishopric. Elder Carter was made superintendent, and his wife was made the District Missionary. The Lynwood
Park District was born.
Meanwhile, the members of the Lynwood Park Church had begun to address their leaders as Papa and Mama. It was unheard of
for a woman of her age to be addressed as “Mother”. But, because that was the kind of care that they had given
to the congregation, the membership realized that they were indeed their spiritual parents. Some even took them to be their
natural parents as well.
As the congregation grew, surrounding properties were purchased. The first building was demolished in 1976, and the present
building was completed eight months later. Renovations were made to increase the size of the sanctuary a few years later.
None of the aforementioned ventures were without full support of the pastor and his wife. Even their children participated
in many fundraising ventures even skipping lunch at school for long periods of time to save money for fundraising for the
church. Mother Carter engineered and carried out more fundraising projects than any other members put together. They mortgaged
their home and furnishings for needed finances. They took on extra jobs, and took on a theme song entitled, “Surely,
We’ll Win”.
In 1975, God called Bishop Briley home and left the jurisdiction without leadership. Conditions prevalent to the passing
of the bishop of our jurisdiction and the way this was handled by the national church, led to the separation of the Lynwood
Park Church of God in Christ into its own corporation. Hence, in 1979, the organization became known as the Lynwood Park
Church of God in Christ of Georgia with a Board of Trustees to oversee its activities. Thus in January 1979, Elder Carter
was elevated to the bishopric. Because there were other churches that wanted to be connected to the Lynwood Park Church, a
union was made including these churches and whatever other churches would like to connect in later years, the United Church
of God in Christ was formed, having the Lynwood Park Church as its headquarters, thus, the name Lynwood Park United Church
of God in Christ.
In 1994 God call the first child of Bishop & Mother Carter, Patricia Carter Logan home, which left a void the hearts
of many members of the organization. She was the secretary of the Sunday School Department of this church, the jurisdictional
Sunday School Field Representative, and a faithful choir member. In 1996, Dr. Paul N Warner, the husband of the middle daughter,
Myra Carter Warner was called home. He was an ordained Elder, Sunday School Superintendent of this church, and National Secretary
of the United Churches of God in Christ, leaving all in awe, for just like the first daughter, he had a bubbling personality
and was very much loved by many. It was in 1998 when the heart of the organization was crushed for Mother Carter went to
her heavenly home.
Recently, our founder, our father, and our shepherd went home to be with the Lord. He was dressing for church on
Sunday morning, June 22, 2003, when the Lord sent his angels to give him rest. That day was the perfect day for our founder,
but a sad day for his followers, his flock, and all those who loved this wonderful and humble man of God.
One member of the original founding family remains in the organization at this time; his surviving daughter, Jayetta
Carter-McFarlin). Bishop Carter’s sister, Missionary Mamie Minter, who came to the organization in its early growing
stages, and helped in fundraising ventures is also a part the founder’s family. The founder’s family members that
remain in the organization now also include Elder Gary McFarlin, son-in-law of the founder and one grandchild. Two of Bishop
Carter’s nephews have been elevated to the bishopric in the organization, Bishops Spencer and Aaron Lackey. Also several
of Bishop and Mother Carter’s nieces and nephews remain in the organization, including International Supervisor of Women,
Mother Nornell Lackey (niece). Please continue to pray for us as we mourn the loss of our dear spiritual leader. He is absent
in the body, but present with the Lord. Many people understand that a prophet is less accepted among his own than anywhere
else, so it is a pleasure to our leader that many of Bishop and Mother Carter’s nieces and nephews are also a part of
this great work.
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