The Second Missionary Baptist Cooperative (SMBC) is incorporated to perform several ministries. The ministries that are currently functioning include: Manna Storehouse Ministry, SMBC Postnatal Care Ministry, and SMBC Education Ministry. Recently SMBC Ministries presented Navita Gunter, CEO of the Cervical Cancer Coalition, a check for the amount of $682 for their annual Walk-a-Thon.
They are looking forward to developing a housing initiative in 2017. LaNese Campbell is the executive director of SMBC Ministries, working closely with all aspects of the organization. SMBC Ministries operates under the umbrella of the church, but independently. Campbell was on hand when the presentation was made. Being a survivor of cervical cancer herself, Gunter can directly identify with the organization’s mission and other survivors of the awful disease.
When Gunter was stricken with cervical cancer several years ago, she found very little compassion and help. It was during those times she made a vow to never let that happen to another woman again. Gunter volunteers on several cancer-related committees in efforts to do everything possible to raise awareness and aide others in defeating cervical cancer.
She is the former chair of the Community Advocacy Board (C.A.B.) and the former co-chair of the Tennessee Cancer Coalition (TC2), a unique organization made up of several cancer coalitions throughout the state of Tennessee. She is also the former vice-chair of the Executive Committee of Tc2. Tc2 is responsible for developing the registry report for the state of Tennessee.
Gunter became the vice-president of a newly formed 501(c)3 called the Cancer Consortium. It is through her personal story that she reaches out to other women to offer hope and compassion and to let them know that they will defeat this killer of women. It’s especially important to Gunter because women of color mortality rates are much higher than that of Caucasian women. Her dream is to see cervical cancer and the death and destruction that it brings into a woman’s life and to her family, become a thing of the past.
Gunter has also written a book about her journey with cervical cancer called The Day My Vagina Tried to Kill Me. The book is a humorous and honest take on a very serious subject, which all readers can relate to.
Bishop Calvin Barlow is the sheppard of the house and the executive director for all programs. He works in conjunction with a functional board for quality assurance, keeping God first and with the best interest of the community. The various programs already established and the programs to be launched and fully operational in 2017 will continue to do all possible to minister to the masses spiritually and through attainable goods and services when available.
For more information, contact CCCT of Tennessee at 615-485-5069, or SMBC Ministries at 615-298-1832; or visit smbc1000.org and cervicalcancercoalitiontn.org
