National faith leaders honor Martin Luther King Jr. with the following statements:
Pastor Greg Laurie, Harvest Christian Fellowship:
“At a time when racial tension ran rampant and society frayed at the seams, Dr. Martin Luther King stepped into the gap. His righteous cause made him an icon.
“In our current climate of racial division and political polarization, we must honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by courageously choosing to follow his lead. As people of faith, following the model of Dr. King, we should not be ashamed to share with the world the hope and freedom found in God.”
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference:
“Today, we honor the life and legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. His God-centered mission and approach to justice, reconciliation and inclusivity have profoundly impacted my ministry and the ethos of the NHCLC.
“As a nation, we owe Dr. King an immeasurable debt for his sacrifice on behalf of a nation in desperate need of racial unity. May we never forget his tireless effort and may we never forsake his pursuit of honoring the image of God in every individual regardless of color or creed.”
Dr. William M. Wilson, President of Oral Roberts University, issues the following statement in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
Today, we commemorate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and honor his legacy. As a minister of the gospel, he unwavered in his faith, sacrificially standing against racism.
Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is one of the most inspirational of all time. He challenged millions to see the world in a different way. Today’s young people are still being influenced and led by Dr. King’s God-given dream. He famously stated:
- “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
- “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality. . . I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
Our ORU student body is mainly comprised of “Generation Z,” which is the most racially diverse generation in our nation’s history. As a group, they possess a strong desire for equality. I believe this generation will fulfill Dr. King’s vision.
I have become convinced that Gen Z is special and unique. The unprecedented variables surrounding them have created an environment conducive to greatness. I believe they will rise to the occasion and that history will view them as one of the most important generations to ever live.
Thank God for Martin Luther King, Jr., who was a strong voice in a single period of history. Today, our youth can become many strong voices in a new period of history. Their time of destiny has come and may God help them embrace this moment.
Jason Yates, CEO of My Faith Votes:
“Today, we honor Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for putting his life on the line to bridge the gap in America so that every human being would have the freedom and opportunity to vote, live life, conduct business and worship without fear of discrimination or persecution.
“We now live in a time when the goal of inclusivity is abused to create a thin veil for divisive policies. The legacy of Dr. King deserves a better tribute than deceptive pandering. This year, let’s return to the foundation he laid by fighting for policies reflecting biblical values of justice with ‘the creative weapon of love.’”