By Delanda S. Johnson/Henderson County Black History Committee
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have celebrated his 87th birthday if he had not been assassinated in 1968.
Dr. King was a man who embraced his calling to help change the course of America’s history for all persons of color.
On Saturday, Jan. 16, Johnson Chapel A. M. E. Church held its Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Gospel Explosion.
The program opened with the Mistress of Ceremony Evangelist Alma Berry saying, “We are here tonight to have a wonderful time in songs and praises unto the Lord. We also celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, for you see our children today do not know the struggles that our forefathers and some of us here had to go through to help make things better for them as they know it today.”
Rev. Linda Ross, Pastor of Johnson Chapel A. M. E. Church welcomed the congregation to the program. “As a former Federal agent for the EEOC, it was my job to investigate injustice. Dr. King fought for equality for all race of people. He walked the streets to help break the barrier of racism. So we welcome you here to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King,” said Rev. Ross.
The service had participation from the Church of the Living God, PGT; Abundant Life, Trey Jackson, First Baptist (Walker St.), and many more to help make the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Gospel Explosion a success.
The celebration continued on Monday, Jan. 18, with the Henderson County Black History Committee holding its Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Candlelight Vigil at New Hope Corinth C. M. E. Church.
Bro. Derryl Jackson hosted the program and said, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. As we come together to remember a man who fought for justice and equal rights, we must also give thanks to God for His many blessings. We must never let anything separate us from God.”
The speaker for the evening was the new Pastor of New Hope Corinth C. M. E. Church, Rev. Melvin Smith.
Rev. Smith thanked the HCBHC for asking him to speak and for hosting this event.
Rev. Smith theme for the evening was “Free At Last” coming from Romans 8:1-2.
“As we gather here tonight, we come to honor and celebrate a man for his courage to fight for civil rights and to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to a great man. What once thought long gone, once again, we are faced with hating again, being judged by skin color and not by our educational status. But we can’t say that it is just coming from the other races, we have hatred among ourselves,” said Rev. Smith.
“Dr. King spoke of freedom for all of us, however I know Jesus who gives lasting freedom from sin. Dr. King died trying to help us understand how important it is to love without boundaries. Jesus lived, died, and resurrected for us all so we would not die in sin. We have separated ourselves from God; oppressed ourselves and other people; drugs and alcohol have taken over the world today. But we are truly Blessed to have a way back to Jesus,” said Rev. Smith.
Rev. Smith pointed out to the congregation that the penalty of sin is: been judge guilty of a crime; being convicted; Jesus is the only way to freedom. That you may/will struggle with sin: you will always struggle with sin; falling back into old habits. We are like prey; caught in a spider web of sin. There is no need to keep doing the same old thing; we need the Holy SPirit in our lives. Last is: presence of sin: no one will live forever. We will always have presence of sin. Our bodies are mortal and on earth there will be sin. The way out is Jesus.
“Freedom came when Jesus carried the cross for our sins and if He had not done so, the horrible acts of hell is no return. Dr. King’s journey was a hard one to help give us a better life, let us not forget how we were set free by Jesus who suffered for us and our sins,” said Rev. Smith.
“FREE AT LAST! FREE AT LAST! THANK GOD ALMIGHTY I AM FREE AT LAST!
