Pastors of two predominantly Black congregations in Abilene commented on the impact that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made on their lives and ministry. Click here to read a Pew Research Center survey about the positive way the majority of Americans view Dr. King’s legacy.

Rev. Deori Newman, pastor of New Light Baptist Church:
Dr. Martin Luther King Junior was an ambitious man. He was not afraid to stand up against racism, injustice, and inequality. He stood up for what he believed in. Dr. King paved the way for me to vote, he also taught me to always fight for what is right and to treat all people equally.

Rev. Deori Newman

Rev. Andrew Penns, pastor of Valley View Missionary Baptist Church:
As we approach another year celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. each year of celebration has been an inspiration to me as a Black man to know and to have lived during the time he served humanity. It is with a sad heart I did not recognize as a young man the major impact he would have in this world until his demise. Through his death and reading his history and listening to his powerful sermons and speeches it touched me in a very unique way. It was not the initial reason that I entered ministry but was a major reason I entered civil rights. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life ,I do believe, has been very influential today in touching the lives of many of all races of people. His nonviolence approach to some extent has proven even today to eliminate hatred. His principle of nonviolence was never just a tactic to push his own agenda, it was the way he lived every day of his life. With that approach it still continues to be with many individuals today. 

I entered the civil rights struggle in the year of 1978 at the age of 30 years old and have continued to serve consistently as I have now reached the age of 75. I have grown to know how important it is to forever to fight injustice as long as I live to carry not only the legacy of Dr. King, but also the many others who have now passed on from this life with hope of men as myself to eradicate racism in this world.

It is also very sad to live in a city such as Abilene, Texas, and know that we celebrate and honor such a great man as Dr. Martin L. Kings Jr. but there has never been any consideration of changing the honorary MLK Blvd. to a designated MLK Blvd. There should be no need from the Black community to appeal to the city government or state government to make this happen. It also should not have to come to a point of marching or gathering signatures, but to consider it to be done.

Rev. Andrew Penns