Members of various local churches gathered at First Baptist Church in Mathews on Sunday to celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The theme of the service was “We Are Still Not Going Back,” with Deaconess Shari Carter Jarvis of First Baptist the first speaker to emphasize the need to continue to heed the reverend’s call “to fight for equal rights for all humankind.” She said that Dr. King endured hatred and threats on his and his family’s lives, but he still marched and continued to do what God called him to do.

Keynote speaker

Sister Stella Breckenridge of First Baptist introduced the keynote speaker, Pastor Isaiah Smith of First Baptist Church of Mathews, describing him as “a man of compassion” who “loves his church members” and “won’t let a person be a stranger.”

“I have grown to love him as a son,” she said. “He is true to his word. Anywhere and everywhere he goes, he is the same.”

Smith gave a whirlwind of a sermon, combining reflections of his own with quotes from the Bible in a passionate, rapid-fire manner and inspiring those present to frequently shout out praises.

“If it had not been for the Lord, who is on our side,” he said, “we would not be where we are today.”

He thanked God for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and spoke about the need for a strong foundation.

“A building is only as strong as its foundation,” he said. “It holds the entire house and carries the weight. A secure foundation ensures the safety of its residents … and plays a role in the strength of the structure. It’s important that we build on a strong foundation in order to carry out the work intended for us. We must understand what holds us up. Faith makes all things possible.”

The pastor assured congregants that “united we can still stand,” and he said that there’s only one who can ensure that the foundation won’t fail “and that person is not at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He is Jesus.”

“If we stand in the hands of Jesus, we will not fail,” he said. “You have to be careful that you do not limit Jesus. What he has done for others, he’ll do the same for you.”

Smith spoke of Jesus as “100 percent man and 100 percent divine,” with the power to change people inside and outside and to call people “out of the darkness into his marvelous light”… “Hate does not drive out hate, only love can do that,” he said.

He said that Dr. King “wanted the Earth to walk in unity,” and he urged those present to do just that.

“We all need each other. We’re all a part of God,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to say ‘I need you.’ We are stronger together than we are apart.”

The Sunday after the presidential election, “hearts were broken,” said the pastor, but “I’m not worried about who’s in office as long as He’s on the throne.”

“When people ask you how do you feel, your response should be ‘I’m gonna be all right … I’m not gonna go back, I’m pressing forward … What I want you to understand is that we’re better together.”

Smith said he’s praying for the next president, praying that “God will give him the wisdom to lead us. Even when he decides to waiver and things are a little rocky, I’m putting my trust in the Lord.”

Other speakers

Pastor Kevin Smith of Wayland Baptist Church in Beaverlett read from Corinthians 1:13, sharing the Apostle Paul’s words about love, ending with “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” He was followed with a prayer by the Rev. Winston Redmond of Emmaus Baptist Church at North, who spoke of the power of prayer.

“It’s the year of prayer,” he said. “People are hurting. He called us to be the voice … There’s power in the word and power in our hearts … It’s time for us to get out and do what we’ve been called to do.”

Pastor Angie Hoen of Mathews Chapel United Methodist Church spoke of the vision of the NAACP, which she characterized as “an inclusive community where all individuals can exercise their human rights without discrimination.” She shared some highlights of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, “a Baptist minister, civil activist, and prominent political activist.”

“He was a giant who believed in non-violent means,” she said.

She spoke of his service as the first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, his delivery of the “I Have a Dream Speech” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and the awards he received, including the Nobel Peace Prize, the Congressional Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal.

“We are all the recipients of Dr. King’s life and legacy,” said Hoen. “Our theme is fitting: We Are Still Not Going Back.”

Pastor Eric Robinson of Ebenezer Baptist Church at Cobbs Creek shared reflections on Dr. King’s life, reminding those present that the reverend didn’t want people to talk about his education and his prizes, but to “talk about if I can help somebody, then my life is not in vain.”

“Character is who you are when nobody’s looking,” said Robinson, and he shared several stories of people who had been unkind to others, including “church folk.” He spoke of Black people killing each other “every day across this nation,” and he asked, “If we don’t change, what is going to happen in this world?”

“Until people decide to change their character—to help somebody,” he said, “freedom will never ring.”

Throughout the service, the New Mt. Zion Baptist Church Choir of Woods Cross Roads led the congregation in fervent renditions of such songs as the powerful “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and old favorites, including “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” and “That’s All Right,” ending with “We Shall Overcome.”

Deacon Carroll Jackson and Trustee Terry Hearn led the offering, after which Edith Turner, president of the Mathews Chapter of the NAACP, spoke of all of the organization’s accomplishments during the past year, including donating books to the elementary school and benches to the county park and the school playground.

“If we want something done for our grandchildren, it’s up to us,” said Turner. “And we are not going back.”

Her remarks were followed by the installation of this year’s officers: Turner as president, Wilnet Willis as vice president, Lorraine Forrest as secretary, Linda Johnson as assistant secretary, Sheila Crowley as treasurer, and Raymond Willis Sr. as assistant treasurer.

The event committee consisted of Terry Dixon, Ella Morgan, Faith Carter and Brenda Peterson.