The NAACP 62nd Annual Freedom Fund Banquet – Bishop Vince McLaughlin Guest Speaker; Honors A.D. Carter

The NAACP held their 62nd Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on September 21st at the First Baptist Church in Front Royal.

Bishop Vince McLaughlin presents keynote address at the 62nd Annual Freedom Fund Banquet. Photo and video by Mike McCool, Royal Examiner.

The Guest speaker for the Freedom Fund Banquet was Bishop Vince McLaughlin.
Bishop Vince was born in the United States but grew up in Scotland. He is unequivocally a “Scot tried and true.”

He holds a B.A. in Biblical Languages from Biola University, a M.Div. from Talbot Theological Seminary, a M.A. in Biblical Languages from Bethel University, a M.A./Ph.D. in Old Testament from Regent University, School of Divinity, a Th.D., St. Luke’s Anglican Seminary, and a D.Litt. & Ph.D. from Wolsey Hall College/Oxford, UK – St. Alcuin House Seminary in Hebrew Literature & Biblical Hebrew. He grew up in the Scottish Episcopal Church (formerly, the Anglican Church of Scotland) and the Celtic Orthodox Church of Scotland. He holds Holy Orders from the Anglican Church Worldwide and the Episcopal Missionary Church.

He was conferred and ordained as a Messianic Jewish Rabbi of Beth Messiah (MBI) on February, 2004. He was also consecrated as a Bishop in the Anglican Church and serves as the Bishop -Diocese of the East for the Episcopal Missionary Church. He recently served as the Provost &Academic Dean and Chairperson of the Biblical Studies and Languages at the University of Valley Forge – Virginia Campus.

He presently teaches in the University’s Graduate & Post-Graduate Programs. Currently, Bishop Vince is the Pastoral Bishop at Rockland Community Church in Front Royal, Virginia. He is also on the Board of Directors and visiting professor at the Reformed Episcopal Seminary, PA. He is the author of numerous papers with the most recent publication of a book entitled, “Ruach in the Psalms” and book entitled, “Threads of Theosis in the Tanakh.”

In his personal life, he is married to Christine Marie McLaughlin with three grown daughters and four grandchildren (two granddaughters and two grandsons). His personal interests include biblical languages and studies, motorcycles and playing golf when time allows.

A.D. Carter III was selected as the 2019 NAACP Honoree.

A.D. Carter was selected as the 2019 NAACP Honoree
Alford Dennis Carter III better known to most as A.D. was born in Washington, DC, the youngest of 3 children born to the late Bishop Dennis Carter and Reverend Artiller Carter, both Pentecostal Ministers. A.D. has kept God in his life in every aspect. Most notably, it was in his parents’ church where he met and married the love of his life, Alice Carter, they have been married for 48 years.

A.D. is a Vietnam Era Navy veteran, serving as a Hospital Corpsman. He left the service in the 70’s but has been passionate about and active with Veterans and Veteran’s issues. He has held prominent positions in the following Veteran Organizations Past Commander American Legion Post 181 Leesburg, VA; Past Commander American Legion Post 34 Leesburg, VA; Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1860 Front Royal, VA; Department of Virginia 16th District Past Commander; Member Board of Directors Virginia American Legion Boys State; 16th District Virginia American Legion Boys State Past Chairman; Virginia American Legion Boys State Past Chief City Counselor; Sons of the American Legion Past Detachment Commander.

A.D. relocated from Northern Virginia to Front Royal over ten years ago. He retired from Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority after 30 years of dedicated service as Superintendent.

Some people retire and slow down, the same can not be said for A.D. He opened a construction repair company, he has had 2 (two) bids for local Town Council, he is a current board member of Habitat for Humanity, a member of the Rotary Club and he joined the local chapter of the NAACP, ultimately becoming the President of the branch.

A.D. has purposely lived his life on his own terms and dares to dream seemingly impossible dreams, not letting age, race or other people’s opinions deter him from living the best life that God has granted him. A.D. has always helped where and when he could, choosing to remain anonymous to the recipients of his generosity. His boldness is either something you love about him or you hate about him but it will never be said that A.D. has ever met a stranger or turned his back on someone in need.

Cliffie Scott Thomson  and Sheila Elizbeth Lamonzs were presented with the 2019 Community Service Award.

Also in attendance were several candidates for various local and state offices.

The Royal Examiner’s camera was there: