Rev. Dr. Walter J. Butts is the proud founder & pastor of the Mount Carmel Children of God Baptist Church in Chicago, IL which was established in August 1980. He's married to Lolita Bowman Butts and has 6 children. He is an Alumni of Lincoln University of Jefferson City, MO and Trinity College of Deerfield, IL. He holds two honorary doctorate of divinity degrees from Jameson Christian College of Philadelphia, PA and from The Theological Institute of Houston, TX. Pastor Butts has a profound conviction for lost humanity which led to him becoming the founder and CEO of New City of Hope, Inc. a non-profit organization established in November 2001. He's affectionately known in the Gospel Music Industry as "The Big Man of Gospel Music“ and is the author of three books titled The Price of Love his first novel. In addition to two series of sermon books titled Twenty-Nine Powerful Sermons and Ten Dynamic Sermons. He was blessed by God at an early age to become a musician, composer and singer. Which led him to sharing the stage with notable artists Albertina Walker, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Dorothy Norwood, Jesse Dixon, Delores Barrett Campbell & the Barrett Sisters, Rev. Milton Bronson and The Thompson Community Singers, and many more. He has utilized these gifts within the music ministry at Mt. Carmel over the last 40 years by developing the God given talents within the choir members and church musicians alike. Pastor Butts has spread his love for music across the United States as he was the guest artist on the National Baptist of USA's first recording singing, "Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross". He also recorded two songs on the Jesse Dixon album, "Lord I Need a Breakthrough" & "Lord I Lift My Spirit To You". He also performed on the main stage at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in the Millennium Park at the Chicago Gospel Fest as well as at the Acadome Stadium for the Alabama State Gospel Fest. God has created in him a divine acumen which led to him receiving the keys to the city of Montgomery, Alabama. He currently resides in Markham, IL with his wife and children. He continues to cultivate the knowledge of God’s word, his first love, in various venues throughout the U.S. Being servant of the Lord he continues to provide weekly tutelage to the leaders of Mt. Carmel where he is the senior Pastor.
Executive Pastor
Rev. Newlin O. Wollaston is a native of Chicago, IL and has been a member of the Mt. Carmel Children of God Baptist Church for over 23 years serving in several leadership capacities. With his honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corp Reserves, his studies from DePaul University and his mentorship from Pastor Walter J. Butts, God has allowed Newlin to currently serve as Mt. Carmel's Executive Pastor. He has a passion for spreading the gospel and promoting the kingdom building of God. Newlin is the Executive Vice President of New City of Hope, Inc - a non-profit outreach organization affiliated with the Mt. Carmel Children of God Baptist Church. Professionally, he is a Private Client Advisor of JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. He serves as a board member of an inner-city non-profit organization known as Literature for All of Us and he is also the Vice Chairman of the board of the Baptist Foundation of Illinois.
Reverend
Rev. Chelsea D. Whitlow-Sims is an ordained reverend of the Mt. Carmel Children of God Baptist Church and has been a member over 35 years. She has served the ministry and community in several leadership roles within Mt. Carmel and is currently the chairperson of the Mt. Carmel Trustees and longstanding choir member and teaching the Mt. Carmel Bible Class weekly. Her leadership extends as well to the New City of Hope, Inc. a non-profit outreach ministry as the Financial Manager. Rev. Chelsea is a wife and the mother of two young ladies. In her professional career she has been an employee of Cigna Healthcare for 15+ years and is currently manager. She obtained a B.A. and M.A. in Organizational Management from Ashford University of Clinton, IA., and is in the process of completing the doctoral program at the University of the Rockies in Denver, CO. slated to obtain a Psy. D. with a specialization in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. She has a sincere desire to enhance the family unit by providing therapeutic services in the community.
