Sixty-five years ago in 1954, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a young preacher in his 20s, began his role as senior pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala.. It was in Montgomery where King became the national leader of a movement that would empower generations yet unborn. Sixty-five years later, as the Nation celebrates the annual Martin Luther King holiday, another 20-something senior pastor dedicated to empowering the community will serve as keynote speaker during this year’s citywide MLK Day celebration in Aurora.
The city government of Aurora and the Aurora MLK Planning Committee will be host to the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration, A Day of Service, A Day of Hope, at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Lane.
An innovator, visionary, and emerging thought-leader possessing wisdom far beyond his years, Pastor Teddy Matthews, senior pastor of Empowerment Church, will deliver a special message about the importance of service to the community. One of the most sought-after speakers in the greater Chicago area, Matthews launched Empowerment Church in the western suburbs to reach individuals, restore hope, and revive a generation. His popular ministry and weekly sermons are energetic and empowering. Matthews is an award-winning pastor, motivator, and mentor who has been empowering youth in Aurora since his undergraduate years at Aurora University.
The ceremony will feature performances by students from East Aurora, Metea Valley, Waubonsie Valley, and West Aurora High Schools, and the Illinois Math and Science Academy with inspiring contributions from the Cathedral of Grace St. John Church’s Sign Singers in Aurora.
Aurora residents will be honored with Donna J. Williams Service Awards for their participation in the MLK Day of Service and community student-leaders will receive Mayor Richard Irvin’s Service Above Self Awards for their year-round efforts to give back to the community.
“This year, we celebrate what would have been the 90th birthday of Dr. King, and we’ll commemorate his life by shining a spotlight on those who are serving our community,” said Irvin. “This also marks the first year that Aurora City Hall will be closed on MLK Day to honor the legacy of Dr. King. We are very proud of this significant milestone in our city’s history.”
—City government of Aurora