Jarvis Christian University celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Unity in the Community Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, Jan. 18.

The Fellowship Hall at the Howard-Smith Chapel on campus was at capacity as a wide range of guests gathered on the cold but clear Saturday morning. The event was a unique combination of introspection, hope, celebration and prayerful intercession.

Setting the stage for the entire event – and making a soulful impact on those attending – was the performance of the Jarvis Christian University Choir. Their amazing depth of sound, timing and emotion book-ended the event with renditions of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ and ‘We Shall Overcome.’ 

Director Donald Aaron related that the 37-member choir travels often for performances and will, on Feb. 22, perform in Tyler with the East Texas Symphonic Orchestra.

The choir was only upstaged by the vocals and saxophone skills of Jarvis student Eddie Spencer, Jr. who brought the house down with his solo performances.   

Before breakfast was offered, the crowd received a series of greetings and reflections. 

Sam Scroggins of the Prayer Breakfast Planning Committee offered the invocation. His prayer appealed that the breakfast may become “one more step toward unity in the community and in the nation.”  

Greetings were offered from area mayors, including Debbie Rushing (Hawkins), Jayne Lankford (Mineola) and Linda Baggett (Big Sandy). James Attaway represented Quitman. 

Jennifer Okwuoma, president of the Jarvis Student Government Association, also offered a greeting and commented that the morning should be “a reminder that we may not yet see the full picture now, but through the work of young people we can build the world that Dr. King described.”

Just before breakfast opened, students of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity presented a poetic representation of the fight which Dr. King undertook. 

Mineola Superintendent Cody Mize presented guest speaker remarks. He wove a path through several stories to draw enlightening contemplations about honoring Dr. King. Mize quoted an inscription he found at a war cemetery in Europe. It read, “Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression.”  

Mize also recounted several instances of what he termed a ‘heartchange’ – that change which people undergo when they chose to accept the love of God.

Community awards of appreciation were extended. Recognized were Rev. Crystal Bates of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Greg Hollen of Rotary International, Dr. Judy Traylor of the Wood County Elections Board and Khanay Turner of the Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute.

Numerous local pastors played a role in offering prayers throughout the celebration. They included Jeff Karlson of Whispering Pines Church of the Nazarene, Joshua Brooks of New Hope Baptist Church, Margarett Dixson of Eastside Christian Church, Father Ariel Cortes of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Thomas Harper of First United Methodist Church of Quitman and Justin Sommers of First Baptist Church Big Sandy.

The event concluded after two full hours of fellowship, prayer and introspection – a fitting tribute to Dr. King.