2023 Unsung Hero: Rev. Carlton Milstead

Rev. Carlton Milstead was called as pastor of Lebanon Baptist Church on June 1, 1969. Lebanon is the Mother Church of the three-church field that includes Lebanon Baptist in Alfonso, Providence Baptist in Miskimon and Norwood Baptist in Morattico. We was married to his wife, Betsy for 63 years from May 1956 until her passing in 2019. It was here that they chose to raise their three sons, David, Michael and John who all graduated from Lancaster’s public schools.

In our world today, a minister who wholly dedicates himself to a community is rare. But Rev. Milstead felt the call to know his community deeply and to be present with and minister to folks not just through a few years, but through the generations of their families. Over 54 years of ministry to his 3-church charge, Rev. Milstead has conducted hundreds of weddings, (many for those he watched grow up), hundreds of funeral services, preached thousands of weekly sermons, conducted Homecomings, and offered Baptisms in the Rappahannock River. He has made countless hospital and nursing home visits and sat by so many bedsides, bringing comfort and hope to those in need.

At age 91 Rev. Milstead will retire at the end of 2023 and Trinity is honored to recognize him as the 2023 Unsung Hero for his 54 years of service to these three churches. Rev. Milstead lives his life as one who is called to serve, not to be served, and Trinity Episcopal Church is honored to recognize him as our 2023/2024 Unsung Hero!