The Woodlands celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Jan 19

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Our nation pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the man who led the civil rights movement forty-five years ago, Monday, January 19. The 27th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration will take place at 12:00 noon, presented by Impact Church of The Woodlands at The Woodlands United Methodist Church located at 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive in The Woodlands,Texas (77380).

At a time when racial tension has resurfaced, the event will serve as an opportunity for The Woodlands community to demonstrate its ethnic diversity. All are cordially invited to celebrate the legacy of the man who espoused non-violence while furthering the civil rights movement.

Sr. Pastor Roche Coleman,Th.M. will preside over the celebration, and a commemorative Tribute will be presented by Michael Pender, Senior Pastor of Fallbrook Church. The event will also feature the singing of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Celebration Mass Choir, the Children Mass Choir, and Resound Choir. The ministers of music will be:

Dr.Don Barrick First Baptist Church
Joseph McKinney Stone Bridge Church
Michael Pickett Pleasant Hill Church

The Drum Major Award will be presented during the ceremonies. The Martin Luther King Jr. ‘Drum Major for Service’ award is based on the quality of the person nominated, and recognizes local leaders who perform extraordinary acts of service reliably with commitment. The program gives organizations and groups an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate those volunteers who perform extraordinary everyday acts of service who seldom receive recognition.

In a sermon delivered nearly 55 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described what he called the “Drum Major Instinct” to the congregation in Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church. The sermon includes the following passage from Dr. King that acknowledged the desire to lead but emphasizes selfless motives…

“Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for peace; I was a drum major for righteousness… We all have the drum major instinct,” stated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The words he spoke that day were the inspiration for this national service award that recognizes leaders who give their time serving others but seldom seek the spotlight. Although not everyone who deserves this award will be recognized, one will be selected as a role model. The rest can continue to do their good works in the community in the spirit in which the award is intended, and to honor the man who inspired it.