Rev. Wayne Croft and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter to Speak on Mitchell Lectureship Day

Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Croft, Sr., whose South Philadelphia Church has grown from 177 members to over 1,800 under his leadership, will deliver the annual Mitchell Lecture at Palmer Seminary on February 18. The lecture is scheduled for 10 a.m.; Rev. Croft will also preach at the afternoon worship service, beginning at 2:30. Both the lecture and the afternoon service will be held in Laws Chapel.

Meanwhile, the Honorable Michael Nutter will be making one of his first public appearances as the newly installed Mayor of Philadelphia when he speaks at the annual Mitchell Luncheon beginning at 12:15 in the Seminary Dining Room.

Rev. Croft, pastor of the Church of the Redeemer Baptist, is an alumnus of Palmer Seminary. Under his guidance, Redeemer has built a $1.7 million multipurpose building. Rev. Croft also founded the Redeemer Renaissance Community Development Corporation. Some of his writings have appeared in the journal The African American Pulpit and in the Judson Press book From One Brother to Another (Volume II).

The morning lecture and afternoon service are free and open to the public. There is a $25 charge for the luncheon, for which advance regiistrations are required. The luncheon will sell out, so those interested in attending should make a reservation as soon as possible by calling 484.384.2941.

The Mitchell Lecture is held annually at Palmer in honor of the late Rev. Frank B. Mitchell, who during his more than 40 years as pastor of Pinn Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia became a mentor to many young persons in ministry.