Reverend Lashon Anita McCarthy

Born in Elizabeth, NJ, and raised in Willingboro, NJ, Lashon Anita McCarthy is the only girl of eight siblings. She is a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School. She was offered a scholarship to the prestigious Westminster Choir College, a part of Rider University, located in Princeton, NJ. She majored in Human Resources at Strayer University. At the American Management Association (AMA) in New York City, she received certifications in Business Leadership Training, Time Management, and Corporate Event Planning.

Anita is a licensed Realtor and owner of NetKey Property Solutions, LLC. Her passion is to assist others in homeownership and generational wealth building. She has 26 years of HR and administrative experience. She is a trained mediator and volunteers with the Midlands Mediation Center, where she assists with conflict resolution, active bystanders, and mediation training.

Anita accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 16. In 1988, while attending Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Burlington, NJ, under the leadership of Pastor Eric F. Ricks, she discovered her love of Praise and Worship.

In 2000, she joined Bethany Baptist Church in Lindenwold, NJ, where Bishop David G. Evans serves as Senior Pastor. Anita served in various ministries at Bethany Baptist Church during her 14-year membership, including Women2Women Ministries, Becoming A Woman of Excellence (a ministry for teen girls), A Journey To A New You (a mentoring program for women), Worship Leader, Curriculum Developer, Event Planner, Prayer Leader, and Armour Bearer to visiting preachers. While attending Bethany Baptist Church, Anita accepted the call to preach. She attended Minister in Training (MIT) for several years as well as biblical training at the Abundant Harvest Biblical Institute.

In 2015, Anita joined Rehoboth Baptist Church in Columbia, SC, where Rev. Dr. Ivory T. Thigpen serves as Senior Pastor. Anita preached her initial sermon on June 11, 2017, at Rehoboth Baptist Church, solidifying her call to preach. On August 13, 2023, Anita was ordained. Rev. Anita McCarthy currently serves as an Associate Minister and the Minister of Worship.

Anita is the proud mother of three adult sons, Andre’, James, and Isaiah, and a loving “Lovey” grandmother to two grandchildren. Her life Scripture is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to bring you to an expected end.”