By Delanda S. Johnson/Special to HCN
This Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday was filled with gospel music and a strong message about Dr. King and comparison with Jesus Christ.
On Saturday night, January 14, Johnson Chapel A. M. E. Church “Annual Gospel Explosion” honored Rev. Dr. King with local choirs, solos, and a powerful mime by Malakoff High School senior Xavier McCullar.
Then on Monday night, January 16, the Henderson County Black History Committee held its “Annual Candlelight Vigil” to give the congregation time to reflect and honor an American hero.
Rev. Rickey Johnson, Associate Pastor at Rockhill Baptist Church in Larue, used a theme “Love Your Enemies.” (Luke 6:27-31)
Rev. Johnson stated that Rev. Dr. King was a man who was always out to help someone else. Rev. Johnson noted that Rev. Dr. King would turn a negative into a positive. Rev. Dr. King stood up for what he believed in and he paid a high price for his convictions, death.
“Just like Jesus, a man who stood up for what He believed in. A man who would always turn the other cheek. Jesus, a man who taught us to love our enemies; also to know that we must treat others as we would like to be treated. Jesus to paid a high price for his convictions, death. He died for all of our sins and if we want to see Jesus, we must love our enemies,” said Rev. Johnson.
Rev. Johnson stated, “Rev. Dr. King died for Civil Rights/Equality for African American; Jesus died for all of mankind. However, both men had the same message, “Love thy neighbor as thy love thyself.”
with a Certificate Of Appreciation. (Courtesy photo)
