Amory residents gather to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Community members gathered in St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Amory to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been 91 years old this year.

Sunday, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church celebrated his legacy with a program and remembered how his words resonates with them today.

“Because of God, because of him using Dr. Martin Luther King as a vessel we are where we are today,” said Pastor Carlos Bynum in a speech.

Pastor Bynum spoke from the heart with the words of King’s “I Have A Dream” speech, reminding Janet Parks of its history and meaning.

“The way that he carried out the speech as you said you would have thought Dr. King himself was standing there, but my mind just began to think about how far we came from then up until now,” said Parks.

The program that was full of praise, danging and selections from multiple choirs reminded long-time church member Juria McKenzie of her history.

“It has really let me know a lot about my roots, the things that this man has done to get us and myself as far as we are today,” said McKenzie.

McKenzie said it’s important that the church continued to celebrate his legacy to teach the future generation about their history.

“We have to let our children know about our roots and the things that went on the years before to make it better for now,” said McKenzie.

Dr. King’s words have resonated and made Judge Adrian Haynes everyday life better

“As I go about my daily life I still think about what he has said about freedom, the rights, our rights to vote, non-violence, and I hold that dear to my heart,” said Haynes.

The church has been celebrating Dr. King with this program for more than a decade.